Continuous Open Bidding

What is Continuous Open Bidding?

Continuous Open Bidding is a much less structured process for women to join a sorority during the academic year, from Bid Day until the completion of Spring Graduation. Sororities that are under Panhellenic total, are eligible to take new members up to total if they choose. Not all sororities participate in COB.

In most cases, once contacted by a chapter, a small group of women will meet with you to take you out to coffee or lunch. They then may invite you over to the house for a meal, a house tour, or to participate in a sisterhood event with the chapter a few times before offering you a bid to membership if they believe that you are a good fit for their organization. Typically you will get a few days to decide if you would like to accept your bid, if you are unable to accept on the spot.

How does COB work?

Once you register for COB you can feel free to contact the chapters that are listed on the Panhellenic website. Chapters will have your contact information after you register and may also reach out to you. From there you will schedule a “date” to meet with a few members from the chapter. There are a range of things you can do whether you get coffee, visit their chapter house, or do some sort of activity. You cannot get a bid from a chapter until you meet with them at least two times.

How do I register for COB?

In order to participate in COB you must register in order for your information to be shared with chapters and for you to be eligible for a bid. 

I’m not sure I want to COB, should I still register? 

Yes! By registering for COB you can choose to participate as much or as little as you want. If you decide that you no longer want to meet with chapters you are able to stop at any point. As well, COB is completely free. There is no harm in signing up! 

How do I know which chapters are participating in COB? 

COB is for chapters who are below total and have space for more members in their chapter. The COB section of the Panhellenic website is constantly updated with chapters that are currently COBing, Click here to check it out. As well, we send out weekly emails to members registered for COB with a list of chapters participating and events that may be going on. It is important to note that not every chapter chooses to participate in COB.

If I accept a bid do I have to move into my chapter house? 

This is a great question to ask specific chapters when you meet with them. Not every chapter is housed and the ones that are housed understand if you have a residence hall contract or separate lease. But, you should confirm with the chapter by asking the COB chair or the members you meet with. 

What happens when I receive a bid?

If you receive a bid and accept it then the next steps will be to sign the MRABA you will get from the chapter you received the bid from. Once you sign the MRABA this prevents you from being able to join any other Panhellenic chapter until the following school year’s primary recruitment. 

If you receive a bid from a chapter but are unsure if you want to accept you have up to 48 hours to respond. You are allowed to ask for an extension to respond to the bid but it is up to the chapter to grant this for you. 

If you are offered a bid but do not want to join that chapter then you can decline the bid and continue COBing with other chapters. 

COB Booklet

Click here for more Continuous Open Bidding information

Still have questions? 

Reach out to Vice President of Recruitment Development, Anna Gallagher at phrecdev@uw.edu.

Anna’s office hours are in HUB 236, or reach out for a time to meet.