Continuous Open Bidding
At Baylor, we believe that belonging should feel both meaningful and accessible. While many students begin their Panhellenic journey through formal recruitment, it’s not the only way to find your home.
Continuous Open Bidding (COB) offers another path—one that is more flexible, more personal, and designed to meet you where you are.
What is Continuous Open Bidding?
Continuous Open Bidding is an informal recruitment process that takes place after primary recruitment concludes. It allows Panhellenic chapters with available membership space to continue inviting students to join their sisterhood.
Unlike formal recruitment, which follows a structured schedule, COB unfolds more naturally throughout the semester. Conversations happen in smaller settings, connections build at a more comfortable pace, and each chapter creates its own approach to getting to know potential new members.
In many ways, COB reflects what sorority life is truly about at Baylor—relationships rooted in authenticity, shared values, and genuine connection.
A More Personal Experience
COB looks different for everyone, but it often feels more like building friendships than attending formal events.
You might find yourself:
- Meeting members over coffee
- Attending a small sisterhood event
- Spending time in relaxed, conversation-centered settings
These gatherings are intentionally informal, allowing you to experience each chapter in a way that feels real and unfiltered.
Because chapters manage their own COB processes, no two experiences are exactly the same. That flexibility creates space for you to explore at your own pace and focus on where you truly feel at home.
Why COB Exists
Within the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), COB exists to expand opportunity. It allows chapters to grow to their full membership size while also ensuring more students have the chance to join the Panhellenic experience.
At Baylor, this aligns closely with our commitment to community—creating pathways for connection that are inclusive, welcoming, and centered on belonging.
It’s important to note that not every chapter will participate in COB, and participation may vary each semester based on chapter membership needs.
What to Expect
Rather than moving through scheduled rounds, COB is ongoing. You may connect with one chapter, several, or simply explore until you find the right fit.
If a chapter feels that alignment with you, they may extend an invitation to membership, known as a bid. Accepting a COB bid brings you into the same membership experience as any other new member—one defined by leadership, service, and lifelong sisterhood.
As part of the process, you will sign a Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA), which confirms your commitment to that organization.
Eligibility and Timing
COB typically begins soon after formal recruitment ends and chapter membership totals are established.
Students may be eligible if they:
Are enrolled at Baylor
Have not been initiated into an NPC sorority
Did not accept and later decline a bid during the most recent primary recruitment
These guidelines help ensure a fair and consistent experience across all Panhellenic organizations.