Continuous Open Bidding
C.O.B.
Coastal Carolina University holds primary recruitment in the fall of each year, however, Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is an informal recruitment process where Panhellenic chapters can recruit up to campus total. Continuous Open Bidding takes place after primary recruitment in the fall and in the spring once campus total is reevaluated. COB is not a structured process and not all Panhellenic chapters participate in it. Panhellenic Exec will hold a Panhellenic 101 early in the Spring Semester for women interested in COB, but it is ultimately up to each chapter how they conduct their COB process.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR COB?
Any woman at Coastal Carolina University who meets the following 3 criteria is eligible to participate in COB.
Enrolled as a full time student at Coastal Carolina University
Has never been initiated into one of the 6 NPC sororities at Coastal Carolina University or any other college campus
Has not signed a Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) at Coastal Carolina University within the past year. If she has signed an MRABA, she must not have received a bid.
WHEN IS COB?
The COB process may begin once bids are distributed at the conclusion of primary recruitment (Bid Day) and shall extend through the last day of the spring semester. The total number of members will be re-evaluated at the begging of the spring semester, which may change the number of chapters participating in the COB process.
WHICH CHAPTERS PARTICIPATE IN COB?
Not every chapter will be eligible to participate in COB recruitment, but even if a chapter is eligible it is up to their discretion if they chose to participate. Chapters are only eligible if they are under campus total.
HOW DOES CONTINUOUS OPEN BIDDING WORK?
Since COB is a very informal process, it is up to the chapters how they will choose to recruit new members. Some examples of chapters COB events might be a few chapter members going out to eat with a potential new member, small themed events with a group or getting coffee one-on-one. No matter what the event is, they are always relaxed, fun and a great way to get to know members of the chapter.
WHAT DOES FILLING OUT THE COB INTEREST FORM MEAN?
This form solely shows that you are interested in learning more about COB and is a way for chapter recruitment teams to get your information. This form does NOT bind you to joining a chapter or to attending the recruitment events for chapters participating in COB. Completing this form also does not mean that a chapter will contact you.
HOW IS COB UNIQUE?
COB gives the potential new members a greater control over the recruitment process. Although not all chapters will be participating in COB, there is no formal registration, no required events, and no voting. A PNM does not have to attend COB events. She can withdraw herself from the process with any chapter anytime before receiving a bid and signing a Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA), and she can be offered a bid to a chapter at anytime. If primary recruitment did not work out or you are looking for a more informal recruitment process, this is the perfect way to become a member of the Clemson Panhellenic Community.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IF I AM OFFERED A BID TO A CHAPTER?
If you are offered a bid during the COB process, you can either decline the bid or accept the bid. If you decline the bid, you may continue the COB process with any chapters you are still pursuing through COB, or you can choose to stop participating in the COB process. If you chose to accept the bid, you have 24 hours to sign a Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA), which will be given to you by your new chapter and must be returned to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life within that time period. The MRABA is binding until the next primary recruitment period.