Boca Raton is not only a college town but also a vacation destination for families looking to hit the beach and indulge in some of the luxurious offerings available around town. Boca Raton has a vast selection of hotel options; all in varying price ranges and distances from the Florida Atlantic University campus. There are a few different things to consider when booking a hotel to visit your student. Some may want a suite, free breakfast, close proximity to campus, or perhaps a hotel with a beach view. Some parents may want to bring the family dog along for the visit. And some may want to make a full vacation out of the trip and opt to stay in Delray Beach or Ft. Lauderdale. Whatever your personal preference may be, there is an option to suit your needs.

Loyalty

When it came time for my husband and me to attend parent’s weekends at FAU, we often booked with the same hotel chain. We knew what to expect and after four years of football games and sorority family weekends, we acquired many points. These points can earn you free nights and breakfasts. Also, compare prices online. Oddly, you can find various prices for the same hotel on different sites. Another idea is to book through a website like Reservations.com or Hotels.com or Expedia so you can accumulate points there as well. Perhaps by graduation, your stay will be free, but it is strongly recommended that you try to book that graduation hotel a year in advance. (Same goes for football games and parents weekend.)

Hilton

There are several Hilton owned hotels within close proximity of the Boca Raton area, however, some are closer to FAU than others. The Hilton hotels closest to FAU are Hilton Boca Raton Suites, the Hampton Inn Boca Raton, and The Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton. Both of these hotels are about 3 miles from campus. But before you pull out your Hilton honors cards, there are a few other Hilton options to consider.

For those wanting to stay closer to the beach, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach Resort and Spa is a great option. This hotel is beachfront, with a large pool and located near several popular restaurants. This hotel is about six miles from the FAU campus.

The Waterstone Resort and Marina will give you more of a resort feel, they have a few restaurants on-site and every room has a water view with a balcony. The Waterstone resort is located on Lake Boca and is about 1 mile from the beach. The Waterstone is about 4 miles from FAU’s campus. The Waterstone is pet-friendly, however, you must pay a pet fee of $125 a day.

We couldn’t talk about Boca Raton and not mention the Boca Raton Resort. The Boca Raton Resort was originally built in 1926 and was designed, partially, by Addison Mizner. (You learn more about him as you visit popular sights around town) The Boca Raton Resort is a Waldorf Astoria hotel, (which is owned by Hilton) it is a renowned, luxury resort. Situated along the Intercostals, guests have access to a private beach and world-class service. The Boca Raton Resort offers spa services, golf, ten dining locations, boating, shopping, and much more. Stays at the Boca Resort can be difficult, it does book up during the high season and prices can be high.

If you are looking for more of an extended stay hotel, close by in Deerfield is WoodSpring Suites. They offer free basic Wi-Fi and parking. queen beds. 100% Smoke-Free. Pet-Friendly. Great location near the ocean and beaches and Everglades. Between I-95 and 811 close to Boca Raton.

Marriott

There are several Marriott brand hotels near FAU, the closest being Fairfield Inn & Suites, Courtyard, Boca Raton Marriott, Towneplace Suites, and Springhill Inn & Suites. These are just to name a few, there are several more within the area. All of the hotels listed are within a 3-mile radius of FAU. The closest, however, being Fairfield inn followed by the Courtyard.

The Fairfield Inn and TownePlace Suites are both pet-friendly, both with an extra charge of $100-$125 for the entire length of stay.

Marriott also has quite a few beachfront resorts. One that I have stayed at was the Delray Beach Marriott. This Marriott is about 20 minutes from the FAU campus, however, it is a great option for those looking to tie in a getaway while visiting their student in sunny South Florida. The Delray Beach Marriott is located in the heart of Delray Beach, FL. It is situated on Atlantic Avenue, which is bustling with restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream, and boutiques. The hotel is directly across the street from the beach. The Delray Beach Marriott also boasts a full-service spa.

Holiday Inn

There are two Holiday Inns located near FAU’s campus. Holiday Inn North Boca is less than 2 miles from campus. A stay at the Holiday Inn includes a free breakfast. It is just a short drive from campus and located near many shops and restaurants.  Holiday Inn Express Boca Raton is a little further west, approximately 5 miles west of FAU.

FAU discounts

Some hotels within the area offer FAU special rates:

Best Western Plus University Inn: 10% off and complimentary shuttle service to FAU

Fairfield Inn & Suites Boca Raton: Special FAU rates available

Hilton Boca Raton Suites: Special FAU rates and complimentary shuttle service to FAU

Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center: Special seasonal rates

Wyndham Boca Raton: Complimentary shuttle service to FAU

For more information on special rates, click here. Book that hotel, pack up your Owl gear, and head on down to Boca Raton! Go Owls!

Finally, while visiting, make sure you see our list of recommended restaurants.

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Best Breakfast Restaurants

Like any city, there are literally hundreds of dining options from fast food to fast-casual, from family-style to fine dining. Hungry for breakfast, you will find your bagels, omelets, pancakes; a restaurant for every palate and every price point. Depending on whether you are touring with a prospective student or visiting your student in Boca, who will undoubtedly be clamoring for a good meal, the options are plentiful. Some things to consider beforehand are price and time.

Another Broken Egg: Via De Palmas. Multiple locations across South Florida, this casual breakfast and lunch spot is a favorite among students.

Brooklyn Water Bagel: New York Style bagels. Hot and ready to be served. If you are a big fan of bagels this is the place to go. They also have iced coffee which you can make yourself and add coffee ice cubes so it never gets watery.

Cote French Café: Plaza Real. French Cafe and Bakery featuring a variety of breakfast sandwiches and French pastries. Great for Brunch, their quiche is a local favorite.

Denny’s: This inexpensive, iconic diner has been around well, I grew up eating here. Open 24/7 every day of the year. Inexpensive spot for every type of eggs, pancakes, bacon, and comfort foods. College students love it for their under $10 breakfasts.

First Watch:  21170 St. Andrews Blvd. Another great breakfast place. Many different options, offers Wi-Fi internet access as well. Pancakes, coffee, and anything else you could possibly want.

Flashback Diner: 1450 N Federal Highway. Open 24 hours. Breakfast is served anytime but they have plenty of other options as well. Cozy diner atmosphere with nostalgia at every turn.

Green Owl Restaurant: SE 4th street (Delray Beach).  Quaint Breakfast and Lunch restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating located off of Atlantic Ave in Delray Beach. Home-style cooking. Cash only.

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe: 1385 West Palmetto Park Rd Boca Raton, FL. Breakfast menu items are handmade, using the best ingredients available, with fresh fruits and vegetables delivered daily,  fresh bread and dairy products. Waffles, Eggs, Pancakes, French toast, omelets and more.

Raw Juice: Glades Road. For the Health Conscious, Raw Juice Features a variety of Acai bowls, smoothies. Raw Juice’s main feature is its organic cold-pressed juice bar.

Sanborn Café: NE 1st Ave. Quaint breakfast and Lunch Spot located near Mizner Park; a great place to sit outside with a cup of coffee and a pastry (or 2)

The Griddle: Spanish River Blvd. Take a step back in time inside this diner, opened in 1945, The Griddle serves up breakfast and lunch. As you sit in a booth or at their counter, take a look around to see photos from Boca’s past.

Tom Sawyer Restaurant & Pastry: Boca Raton Blvd. Quaint country-style restaurant serving up homemade comfort food for breakfast and lunch. Don’t miss out on their breakfast skillets.

Yolk: Their menu is filled with new and creative breakfasts, specialty juices and their own private label premium coffee.  They offer generous portions that run the range from signature specialty dishes such as pot roast benedict, breakfast mac & cheese, red velvet French toast, to our signature pancakes, crepes, French toast, waffles, omelets, and frittatas. Located at 5570 N Military Trail

If brunch is more your style, check out our recommendations here.

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You sent them to college with a car and they are grateful. However, although it will make a weekly Publix run easier, no one really thought about the fact that parking at FAU can be pretty inconvenient and tends to be a problem every year. There are not enough parking spots for as many students live on or drive to campus.

For those that do have cars, parking permits, are required for all vehicles. At FAU, there are 3 color distinctions given to each parking lot: Blue, Red, and Green. The Blue lots are reserved for Commuter students. Green lots are reserved for residential students and red is reserved for faculty and staff. Students must register their vehicles online to obtain an EPermit. This is FAU’s new system that uses a student’s license plate to grant virtual parking decals.  If you are in need of a permit. Students can pay a Transportation Access Fee along with their tuition to receive their permit. Their vehicle must be registered and associated with the virtual permit in order to park in student spaces.

It sounds simple enough, but somehow students occasionally get in trouble and unpaid parking violations can result in towing, booting, or the delay of registration for a new semester. You will need your FAU net Id and password. You can also go to the Parking and Transportation office in Student Services Building 80.

Picture these scenarios:
They come home late and just want to park near their dorm, so they park in Lot 23 and promise themselves that they will get up early and move the car before 7:00 am. In theory, it is a great idea, because they have so much to do the next day and they can take a nap later. Their intentions are good, but they hit snooze too many times and by the time they get to move the car, the ticket is flapping in the breeze.

They are rushing to campus from their apartment (or sometimes from one side of campus to the other) and although they planned to leave early that morning, their blow dryer wasn’t cooperating and now they must rush. When they get to campus there are no spots available near their class and if they go to the other lots they will be really late, so maybe just this one time they won’t get ticketed. Besides, which is worse, walking in late again or a parking ticket? They loan their roommate/sorority sister/fraternity brother/friend from down the hall, their car, and because the said friend doesn’t own a car, they are unaware of the parking situation on campus and park it someplace they believe is safe, but they are unknowingly wrong. Your student won’t realize this until the next time they go to use their car and by then there are five tickets; one for each day the car was parked in an unauthorized spot.

Note: Do not park your car in reverse under any circumstance; this will result in a citation. Fellow Parents, when you visit there are options and rules regarding parking for us too. There are a few visitor parking lots located around campus: The Alumni Center (lot 7), Student Support Services (lot 18), The Library (lot 19), Administration Circle, and the Palm Beach Plaza. All the Visitor lots have metered parking for $2.00 per hour.

For commuters who have morning classes, there is a lot of traffic getting on campus and a parking spot. Maybe consider going extra early to nab that spot near your class. Worried about losing sleep? Catch some zzz’s in your car before class starts. If you get there when everyone else does, you could always follow people in the parking lot or garage as they walk to their car; sounds a little creepy but if you are patient, you may grab that coveted spot.

Visitor Permits can be purchased for a daily rate of $5.00, Weekly rate of $15.00, or Monthly rate of $30.00. With the lack of parking, students may want to consider using the Red and Blue Shuttle bus, which runs throughout campus and is free. Event parking differs a bit too. Information on event parking. It is not uncommon for students who live near the stadium to have to move their cars prior to game day.

Parking citations at FAU are $25.00 so many students do not think of it as a big deal. Students can try to appeal their citations but only very few have successfully done it. Also, FAU doesn’t do parking enforcement on the weekend, so on the weekend, they can park at the red lot in front of Living Room Theaters to park a little closer than normal (if they live in GPT, HPT, or IRT). If we have thoroughly confused you, we apologize, but we did start by saying parking tends to be a problem at FAU. Our advice; get a bicycle or check out other transportation options.

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You are going to want to know what to wear for recruitment. Welcome to Florida Atlantic University recruitment and life as a Potential New Member, or PNM! This is going to be an exciting time in your life when you get to find the chapter you will be spending your undergraduate years at. When preparing for recruitment, you’ll want to get to school prior to the Fall semester as recruitment begins before the start of classes. Over the course of a week, you’ll get to visit six chapters and get to know the sorority women who are a part of them. We’re here to give you a guide of what you can expect during this exciting time.

Orientation

Orientation happens the day before recruitment starts. Though we won’t be there to answer questions physically, you will be assigned a recruitment counselor, otherwise known as a Rho Gamma. The Rho Gamma is someone who is currently a sorority member and has been through recruitment, allowing them to better be able to assist you. They will not tell you which chapter they are a part of to provide you with a completely unbiased perspective should you have questions or concerns during your recruitment experience.

Towards the end, they typically do an ice cream social so the girls can get to know their recruitment group. During recruitment, you’ll be meeting chapter members in different conference rooms as there are no sorority houses at the university. This leads to the chapter dues being much less expensive than you would find at other universities. Prepare for your days to be busy and hectic, so refer to our list of essential items to keep with you throughout the process.

What to wear: This is super casual so girls can wear jeans and sandals or sneakers.

Round One: Sisterhood Round

Round one is known as the sister round. Sisters will discuss the sisterhood in the chapter and basically display all the fun events done all year such as formal, semi-formal, crush party, sisterhoods, socials, etc.

Round 1 is divided into 2 days and takes about 20 to 30 minutes at each chapter. Certain groups of PNMS will visit half of the sororities on day one and then they will see the other groups on the 2nd day. They do this so the PNMS and sisters are not overwhelmed. These days will be identical so it does not matter what day you attend, for example, the rooms, decor, and outfits stay the same.

This is your opportunity to ask questions about the chapters to begin to get to know them, while also giving the chapter members a glimpse of your personality so they have the opportunity to also get to know you. After visiting all six chapters, you will eliminate one sorority that you feel isn’t the right fit, and place it on your ‘non-favorite’ list.

What to wear: Sundress or romper

Outfits: Macy’s   Revolve   Amazon

Shoes: Nordstrom Rack   Revolve   Target

Jewelry: Princess Polly     Baublebar

Round Two: Leadership & Scholarship Round

Round 2 is both divided into 2 days. Certain groups of PNMS will visit half of the sororities on day one and then they will see the other groups on the 2nd day. They do this so the PNMS and sisters are not overwhelmed. These days will be identical so it does not matter what day you attend, for example, the rooms, decor, and outfits stay the same.

When heading back to the recruitment location for the second round, you will receive a list of what sororities you will have on your schedule for the day. This is based on mutual selection – just as you eliminate a chapter, chapters also will release PNM’s if they feel like it is not a good fit. Chapters will showcase their leadership opportunities and the benefits of joining a sorority. Many will discuss their chapter’s GPA, study schedule, study hour requirement. Plan on spending about 40 minutes at each chapter.

What to wear:  With this round, you can wear a casual skirt, romper, or dress paired with wedges or platform shoes. Make sure whatever you choose, you are comfortable and confident for the day ahead.

Outfits: Lulus     Lulus    Shein

Shoes:  Lulus     Nordstrom Rack    Nordstrom

Jewelry: Baublebar Free People    Anthropologie     Nordstrom

Round Three: Service & Philanthropy Round

Before you start the day, you’ll again receive a list of which chapters you will return to. At each chapter, you’ll learn more about a non-profit organization the chapter aligns itself with. Chapters have events and fundraisers throughout the year to raise money and awareness for said organization. You’ll also be speaking to additional members of the chapter to further get to know them and see if you can envision yourself in that chapter. Plan on spending about 40 minutes at each chapter.

What to wear: Round three wardrobe is a lot like round two, but think a step dressier. A nice sundress or romper is appropriate for this round paired with platform shoes/wedges. This could be something you would wear to a graduation party or daytime wedding, but again just make sure you are comfortable.

Outfits: Show Me Your Mumu   Revolve   Lulus

Shoes:  Nordstrom Rack   Revolve   Target

Jewelry: Nordstrom   Baublebar   Baublebar

Round Four: Preference Round (Prefs)

You made it to the last round of recruitment! Round Four is referred to as Preference Round as you will be making a decision of which sorority you want to be with at the end of recruitment. You’ll visit up to two houses on this day, and will speak to chapter members for longer than the previous rounds; about one hour. You’ll want to share more details about your values and where you envision yourself.

Make sure you get all the information you feel you need and share everything about yourself that you would like to, as this is the final day before bid day. These conversations will give you a better idea of what the girls are like and their reputation. It will also give the sororities a better idea of who you are and your values since they are trying to bring girls in that match the sorority’s values.

What to wear: This is the fanciest round, so we recommend a semi-formal black dress paired with platforms/wedges. Compare this to a dress you would wear to a fancy dinner or graduation ceremony.

Outfits: Lulus   Lulus   Lulus

Shoes:  Lulus   Nordstrom   Bloomingdales

Jewelry:  Nordstrom   Baublebar   Baublebar

Bid Day

It’s finally here, the day you’ve been waiting for! Today you will receive a bid to one of the chapters you visited during the preference round. Once you open your envelope, you’ll head over to your new sisters and celebrate!

What to wear: You will receive a shirt from the sorority you are selected for and can pair that with jean shorts and comfortable shoes.

Outfits: Lulus    American Eagle

Shoes: Revolve   Amazon   Nordstrom Rack

Find more great outfits, shoes, and jewelry at the stores below. We hope you will look them over.

• Nordstrom
• Nordstrom Rack
• Show Me Your Mumu
• Lulu’s
• Revolve
• Macy’s
• Amazon
• Francesca’s
• American Eagle
• Etsy
• BaubleBar
• Princess Polly
• Shein
• Bloomingdales

Congratulations and welcome to Florida Atlantic University Panhellenic!

Lindsay Fine and Catie Kuter, FAU

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With an undergraduate enrollment of over 25,000 spanning across the Boca Raton Campus, FAU can feel huge. The large size of the campus means students should find a place where they feel at home. Some students will choose to rush a sorority or fraternity but others will not find Greek life their cup of tea. No worries; there are many other possible ways to get involved on campus.

Some of you may believe that your student’s first job is school, and I couldn’t agree more. That said; being involved in some way is rather important too. Firstly, joining a club will help your students build a community. Since they’re leaving their family and sometimes their friends behind, getting involved helps them to discover new friends with similar interests. It only takes a few friends to make a large school feel smaller. Joining clubs or organizations allows students to discover their passions and strengths.  It also helps them to discover what they don’t like, which can be just as important. Clubs and student organizations only enhance a student’s time at FAU.

Academic and personal growth often occurs in places other than inside the classroom. I would love to give you a list of all the different places your student can get involved, but FAU has a wide variety of recognized student organizations on campus covering almost any interest from dance, religion, politics, recreation, research, culture, music, adventure and more.

Below is a list of some popular clubs/organizations.

By far one of the most popular Student Organizations on campus is the Resident Student Organization. Students who live in FAU’s dorms run this organization. While they often create initiatives to make dorm living better, they also plan events to make dorm living fun and enjoyable for the students.

• Student Government– Perhaps a voice in FAU’s student government is of interest to your student. This is a great way to hone those leadership skills.
• OwlThon, or Dance Marathon as its commonly known, is wildly popular amongst sororities and fraternities, but truly there are many others who love to get involved. It is a yearlong event of planning and fundraising culminating in a dance marathon. When else would you get the chance to dance for 13.1 hours straight while raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network? It’s pretty awesome.
• Church groups – There are over 15 religious/spiritual organizations on campus.
• Hillel– Offers holiday and Shabbat dinners and a whole lot more. This is a great alternative since it can be difficult for kids to get home for holidays. Hillel also holds a variety of events throughout the semester for students to get involved in.
• Intramural Sports– are a great option. It can be fun and it provides exercise and stress relief. The sports choices change each semester.

It’s not necessarily what they do, but rather that they find their place. Encourage your student to get involved in one or more student organizations. It is too easy to feel lost at a large campus and getting involved will most definitely make the campus seem much smaller. Getting involved will also look good on their resume when they go to apply for internships or a job upon graduating.

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Whether you are coming down for a mother-daughter sorority weekend or just to spend time with your daughter, you will find plenty to do together. Shopping in Boca Raton is easy to find. There is a plethora of shopping right near FAU, including plenty of big box stores, but the kind of shopping that may come after the call that cries, “I have nothing to wear,” exists too.  These also may be the stores you may want to visit should you get lucky enough to partake in a Mother-Daughter weekend.

Right across the street from FAU, you will find University Commons. University Commons is home to Nordstrom Rack and a new but becoming a favorite boutique, Etiquette Boutique. After shopping, have lunch at J. Alexander’s, P.F. Chang’s, Shake Shack, or Mario’s Osteria.

Further east from campus is Mizner Park, home to many small shops and restaurants. Mizner Park is also home to a few favorite boutiques among FAU students such as Francesca’s, LF Boca, and Shusha Boutique. The Town Center Mall of Boca Raton, 10 minutes from campus, has Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sears, Saks, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales as anchor stores. The Town Center mall is home to several popular stores like Forever 21 and American Eagle, and several high-end stores such as Gucci and Tory Burch. The Town Center is a large mall that is home to over 100 shops and several restaurants; there’s something for everyone.

Shopping Maybe?

It’s inevitable that in four years at FAU, a little shopping expedition may be called for. I’m not going to lie, it’s one of my favorite past times. Should you get down to FAU for a little mother-daughter time, you may find yourself at one or more of these. And when you’re done, you and your daughter may want to indulge in a mani-pedi at Snappy Nails or Venetian Nail Spa, two of the favorites among Owls. Be sure to remind your shopper to ask for student discounts; many stores offer one with an ID. Some of the salons do as well.

If a movie night is what you are looking for, head to the Cinemark Palace 20. There are, as the name says, 20 movies to choose from; all in fabulous reclining chairs with reserved seating. There is also the iPic Mizner Park, which offers a more luxury movie-watching experience.  Perhaps something will be going on at the Sunset Cove Amphitheatre while you’re there or maybe a stroll through the Japanese Gardens at Morikami is in order.

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I had been accustomed to booking for Parent’s Weekend the second it was announced, based on my older children who went to other colleges. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that availability is not as big an issue at the hotels near FAU.

Parent’s Weekend is scheduled for Fall 2020. The earlier you book your hotel, the better your choices will be. Some hotels close to campus offer discounts if you mention you are coming for FAU parent weekend. Most of the local hotels are pretty flexible on cancellations (48 hours being the norm), but be sure to check all this out when booking. Our blog on hotels may help.

Parent’s weekend is a wonderful weekend to see your students in their new home. They will want to show you all their new favorite places around campus and town and introduce you to their new friends. FAU has many planned events for the weekend that you can sign up for. The highlight of the weekend is the football game. This year the Owls are going against Old Dominion, tickets; we suggest buying them early. If you want to sit with your student, then purchase them a ticket as it is very uncommon for any parent to be in the student section of the football stadium and their student ticket (which is free), will not allow them to sit outside the student section.

If your student is in a sorority or fraternity, there will undoubtedly be activities planned with their respective houses. Both Sororities and Fraternities usually have a tailgate planned before the game. Sororities typically also plan an activity or two to enjoy with your daughter and other families. In the past, my daughter’s sorority held a breakfast, ice cream social, or trips to local activities around town.

Where to eat on Weekends

Don’t shoot the messenger, but restaurants are crazily crowded all weekend long. I have heard that the further from campus one goes, the better luck they have had in this regard. Of course, that also means daring to get into your car and navigate through the traffic and find parking again later. Try to eat at off times. We have even picked up subs and brought them back to our hotel. Check out our blog on restaurants.

Don’t forget to get your Owl gear for the football game. From sweatpants to sweatshirts, from hats to shorts to tees, we have some great recommendations for students and parents. If you are looking for some other fun things to do, check out our recommendations.

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For parents of incoming freshman, you probably are starting to hear whispers about rushing, or sorority recruitment. What is rushing her way and your way through this whole process? Talk to any parent at any school, and you will not find too many who love the process.  But like the process or not, sororities do have their advantages, especially at a large college.

This is an unusual, unprecedented time. The situation and circumstances continue to evolve daily. Please start your planning for any event by checking your university website.

Before my daughter mentioned she was interested in joining a sorority, I heard all of the common misconceptions of rushing a sorority. However, after seeing all three of my daughters recruitment and enjoy all that sororities have to offer, there is so much more to these organizations than I had previously thought.

As a mother of three daughters who joined three different sororities, I’ve seen it all. I’ve attended more than my fair share of mother/daughter weekends, mother’s brunch, and family weekends. All of my daughters had very different experiences when they rushed; two went through formal fall recruitment while my middle daughter opted into the more casual style of spring recruitment, yet they achieved their common rushing goal. All three of my girls set out to find a place to call their home away from home for the next four years. After a very long, emotional week, their goal was accomplished. My second two daughters were considered to be legacies of their sister’s sorority; meaning that their sister was considered an alumna. She could write a letter of recommendation on their behalf as could any other family member, no matter what university they went to. Click here for the email address to send a letter of recommendation.

All students that wish to join Sorority Recruitment must complete an online module entitled: Hazing Prevention: It’s everyone’s responsibility before they will be able to accept any bid requests. A link to this will be included in the confirmation page after registration.

Rushing

When my student was accepted into FAU, her journey through recruitment gave me a whole other perspective than I had with my older daughters because my FAU owl was closer to home. FAU sorority recruitment follows a typical schedule of other larger universities, the major difference being that there were fewer sororities to choose from, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Most of the women going through recruitment have heard both the positives and negatives of each chapter; this includes which of the six are the most popular. There is a preconceived belief amongst those going through sorority recruitment that they want to wear certain letters (all of the sororities have different combinations of Greek letters).

I am not going to chocolate coat sorority recruitment- it is based on first impressions, judgments, and appearances; certainly in the first few rounds where conversations last about 10-15 minutes. The Panhellenic Council tries very hard to promote the positive aspects of joining a sorority and in recent years have scaled back how much the sororities decorate their on-campus rooms. Sorority recruitment at FAU is moving towards a Value-Based Recruitment model; this model focuses on showcasing each chapters values and finding the women who best meet these values. Be this as it may, there is still the preconceived ideas and of course judgments made by first impressions.

We’ve got some great suggestions from our interns about what to wear for recruitment. You can read that here.

Speaking Greek

If I am speaking Greek, let’s address some of the particulars. Recruitment will begin August 30th and ends with Bid Day on September 6th.  Registration for recruitment opens in the summer. There is a fee, but this fee will get her a Panhellenic T-shirt and a bag. Due to the current situation, Recruitment will be held via a hybrid model. The Potential New Member orientation, Open House Round, and Invitational Round will be held virtually. Preference Round will be held in person. However, if a Potential New Member feels uncomfortable attending in person, there will be a virtual option. This is subject to change according to current CDC recommendations and local ordinances.

Florida Atlantic University has six sororities on campus. The sororities do not have houses on campus at this time. Each sorority gets a room in the student union to call home for the week and use it during rush. These rooms are typically fully decorated around a central theme for the week. For meetings and other events, each sorority chapter is assigned a room, typically in the student union, to use for the duration of the semester. Students who would like to participate in Sorority rush must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours and have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

Recruitment involves four rounds and a bid day. As your daughter goes through each round, she will go to fewer sorority houses. She may not get invited back to every house; chances are likely that she will not; however, she will have options that hopefully are one of the houses she was considering.  If your daughter is registered for recruitment, she is expected to attend every round and to visit every sorority on her schedule. If she must miss a round due to class, she can inform a member of the Panhellenic council so she is excused for the evening.

Perhaps your daughter will be able to look past the process and focus more on finding like-minded young women and a place where she will fit in. I have witnessed girls joining sororities because of specific Greek letters only to realize after a few weeks, their choice was not the right choice for them.

Yes, there are judgments being made based on the brand of clothes being worn, disingenuous conversations and misrepresentations.  The advice I gave my daughters is to be true to themselves. Creating a false persona just to get into a specific sorority would not result in making true friendships. When one of my daughters had her selection narrowed down to just a few, she called me panic-stricken, asking which sorority she should choose. I simply told her to go with the sorority she felt most comfortable in and to pick a Sorority where she could truly see herself calling the women her sisters.

Many parents like to send their daughters a gift on Bid Day. We recommend holding off as they will be getting gifts from the sorority they pledge on Bid Day and continually going forward from tank tops to water bottles and everything in between. Should you decide to get them a congratulatory gift, we have some suggestions here from:

Desert Cactus Greek, Brit and Bee, Alexandra and Company, Go Greek Chic, Cotton Sisters, Sorority Shop, Signature Tumblers and Gild the Lily.

Once they have chosen a sorority, read out blog Sorority Girl to learn more about sorority life.

Learn the facts about Florida Atlantic University Sorority Recruitment.

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She joined a sorority. Congratulations! Your daughter has found her home away from home for the next four years. Being in a sorority opens the door to so many wonderful experiences. I found my lifelong best friends when I became a member of a sorority at FAU. They have been by my side for many of life’s ups and downs as I have been by theirs. To this day, we have remained close friends.

Every sorority is a little different as it relates to social gatherings, academic requirements, and philanthropic requirements. Since FAU does not have Greek housing at this time, the sororities often plan several events throughout each month to ensure sisters can get together. Your daughter is expected to attend weekly chapter meetings and participate in sorority events. The sororities are often paired up with fraternities for social or philanthropy events or hold chapter-wide events with just their sisters; some of these might be mandatory.

Over the years, I have purchased sorority gifts for them, mainly at orientation. Between Big/Little, Orientation and Bid Day, they have accumulated jewelry, water bottles, stationery, wall signs and so much more. And while I know eventually (after they graduate college and move into an apartment to start adulting, their decorating tastes switch), seeing them enjoying this bond with so many young women and the impact the sorority makes during their college years is well worth having all of the sorority items they collect.

Should you decide to get them a congratulatory gift, we have some suggestions here from:

Desert Cactus Greek, Brit and Bee, Alexandra and Company, Go Greek Chic, Greek Gear, Greek Creations,Cotton Sisters, Signature Tumblers, All That Jas,  Bauble Bar, and Gild the Lily. Even Bed, Bath & Beyond carries Greek merchandise including tumblers, pillows, poufs and more!

Being in a sorority is not just about the social aspect, although that is a big part of joining. Many of the sororities require their members to participate in the philanthropy aspect teaching them about helping those less fortunate. They are expected to keep up their grades, as each sorority loves to be able to brag about having the highest GPA amongst all sororities.  They can be found holding positions on Homecoming, Student Government, Order of Omega, and OwlThon to mention a few. Members also have the opportunity to take on positions within their own chapters, often giving them experience in their area of interest. This opens the door for new members to have the opportunity to get involved on campus.

Most of the sororities hold family events each year. Often they do something special for families during FAU family weekend, this year it will be September 20th through 22nd, 2019. Typically the chapters at FAU have another family weekend again during the spring semester.

Most colleges are extremely strict today when it comes to drinking and hazing. I am not going to cherry coat this; it does happen. FAU is no different. Sororities have been put on probation for alcohol consumption and not been allowed to have any socials. Your daughter should never feel pressured to do something that makes her feel uncomfortable.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

The post Sorority Girl appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.