Panhellenic RecruitmentGuide

Fall 2014

“Where will you fly your flag?”

Northern Kentucky University

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Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life

Greek Community

Panhellnic Council

Recruitment Calendar

FAQ’s

Recruitment Rounds

General Information

Recruitment policies

Contact Information

chapter Profiles

Helpful hints

Glossary

Table of Contents

Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life

The Northern Kentucky University Fraternity and Sorority Community will work in partnership with the University to inspire and develop life-long learners who are committed to membership in a values-based organization by demonstrating excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and collegiality while promoting a respectful environment that is

inclusive and ethical.

Fraternities and Sororities are the largest, most visible, and most active groups on the Northern Kentucky University campus. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life advises and supports our community of 16 total organizations along with the Inter-Fraternity Council, Panhellenic

Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Mission

Overview

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@NKUGreeks

.com/NKUGreekLife

greeklife.nku.edu

Greek Office Student Union room 328

Greek Community at NKUChaptersInterfraternity Council• Alpha Tau Omega• Tau Kappa Epsilon• Pi Kappa Alpha• Sigma Phi Epsilon• Theta Chi

National Pan-Hellenic Council• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.• Kappa Alpha Psi Fratenrity Inc.• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Panhellenic Council• Alpha Omicron Pi• Delta Gamma• Delta Zeta• Kappa Delta• Phi Sigma Sigma• Theta Phi Alpha

Independent Organizations• Alpha Psi Lambda (co-ed Latino interest)• Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

The fraternity and sorority community at NKU and its chapters

consistently acheive higher GPAs than non-affiliated students.

Additionally, during the 2013-14 academic year, over $100,000 and over 50,000 hours were donated to various philanthropies and service

organizations throughout the world. Being on campus at NKU, it is easy to see the impact fraternity and sorority

students have, and is especially evident because of their involvement

in other student organizations, campus jobs, athletics, and overall

presence on campus.

Scholarshi

p Fellowship

Service

Excellence

Unity

InclusivenessLeadership

Integrity

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Panhellenic

Fellowship

IntegrityNKU’s Panhellenic Council is the governing body for the six National Panhellenic Conference sororities on our campus. Total membership for Panhellenic community is over 600 women.The Council is made up of six executive officers, six chapter delegates and alternative delegates whose duty is to keep all six chapters connected and united, to enforce the NPC guidelines, and to plan and supervise the recruitment process.

We, as undergraduate members of women's fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities.

We, as fraternity women, stand for service through the development of character inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.

Panhellenic Creed

To provide a positive environment for the Panhellenic community and better the communications between Panhellenic and its chapters.Mission

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Recruitment Calendar

September1

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15

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2

9

16

23

30

3

10

17

24

4

11

18

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5

12

19

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6

13

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27

7

14

21

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Open House6:00pmSU Ballroom

First Round3:00PMSU Ballroom

Philanthropy Round9:15AMSU Ballroom

Meet your Gamma Chi5:30pmSU Ballroom

Preference Round4:15pmSU Ballroom

Bid Day3:00pmSU Ballroom

Greek 1011:00pmSU ballroom

SErvice on

Saturday

Greek Week

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FAQ’s

How much does it cost to be in a sorority?Being in a sorority is like all other membership organizations and does require a payment of dues. Though there is a necessary financial commitment, the commitment comes with invaluable benefits.This money is used to fund the operations, social events, and programming for the chapter. It also allows the inter/national organization to continue to provide resources and support for the chapter.

Will being in a sorority affect my grades?Every sorority chapter has a minimum GPA requirement to remain an active member. Because of this requirement, chapters provide academic support plans and programs for their members. And actually, Panhellenic chapters and sorority women consistently acheive higher GPAs than that of non-affiliated women at Northern Kentucky University.

Does it matter if I am a Sophomore going through recruitment?No, it does not matter what your class standing is heading into recruitment. It is actaully pretty common at NKU for women to wait until their sophomore year to join a sorority. Every woman going through recruitment is treated fairly and has the same opportunity to join.

Does everyone get a bid?The purpose of the recruitment process is to allow you and the chapters to decide on the best fit. The reality is that not everybody who goes through recruitment finds a match, but every effort is made to provide opportunities for involvement to any young woman who is interested in the sorority experience.

Will I still be able to work while in a sorority?In today’s world, very few students can afford college without outside employment. Chapters recognize this and work with members to meet financial and attendance obligations. Many students find sorority membership an advantage, in that networking with current members and alumnae sometimes produces job possibilities. At NKU, almost every sorority woman has a job, and sometimes two or even three.

Rectuitment Introduction

Formal Panhellenic Recruitment is a time in which potential new members have an opportunity to explore membership with each of the chapters here at NKU. Throughout this process you will narrow your choices from 6 on the first night, to 4, to 2, and finally decide on the chapter you wish to join. It is a mutual selection process in that the Recruitment Team works hard to ensure that throughout the process both the potential new member and the chapter choose each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Recruitment RoundsOPEN HOUSE

What to wear? Comfortable, casual clothing and shoes. You’ll do a lot of walking!

What happens? On this day, you will visit all six chapters and it will be your first opportunity to talk with individual chapter mem-bers during recruitment. You may be asked questions about your high school involvement or what you hope to gain by joining a sorority. Don’t be afraid to ask the women about their chapter or their experience in Greek life!

PHILANTHROPY

PREFERENCE

What to wear? Formal/Professional attire. Wear a nice dress or dress pants and blouse.

What happens? This is the final round of recruitment and has a more serious tone. Chapters may hold ceremonies to introduce you to their sisterhood and discuss the impact their sorority has had on their lives. You will visit a maximum of two chapters and will need to decide which chapter you want to call home.

What to wear? A summer dress or nice skirt/pants and blouse.

What happens? Here you will learn about chapters’ local and national philanthropic efforts. Expect your conversations to be centered around what you could bring to the sorority. You may want to ask questions about the leadership opportunities available for chapter members. You may attend a maximum of four chapter visits this day.

Friday, September 5

Sunday, September 7

Saturday, September 6

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General Information

• This booklet!• A pen• Water• A snack/ granola bar• Chapstick or lip gloss• Comfy shoes or flip-flops

to wear between events• Deodorant• Your NKU ID• Hand sanitizer• A couple dollars• Make-up to touch up

What You Should Bring

Expectations• You will sometimes be walking outside and using stairs to get to chapter rooms which

can take up to 10 minutes.• You will be meeting and talking with a lot of women throughout the day. • It can be a long day, and there may be organizations you are excited about and others

not so much, but still remain courteous in your conversations.• You will be able to sit in each chapter room, but be prepared to get up and be able to

stand for more than five minutes. Be sure to to not lock your knees!• You will be in rooms with a lot of other women; it is important to wear something

appropriate for the round, but also comfortable. • If you will need any special accommodations throughout the recruitment process,

please contact your Gamma Chi.

Α – Alpha (al-fah)Β – Beta (bay-tah)Γ – Gamma (gam-ah)Δ – Delta (del-tah) Ε – Epsilon (ep-si-lon)Ζ – Zeta (zay-tah)Η – Eta (ay-tah)Θ – Theta (thay-tah) Ι – Iota (eye-o-tah)Κ – Kappa (cap-ah)Λ – Lambda (lamb-dah)Μ – Mu (mew)Ν – Nu (new)Ξ – Xi (zz-eye)Ο – Omicron (om-ah-cron)Π – Pi (pie) Ρ – Rho (row)Σ – Sigma (sig-ma)Τ – Tau (taw)Υ – Upsilon (oop-si-lon)Φ – Phi (fie)Χ – Chi (kie)Ψ – Psi (sigh)Ω – Omega (oh-may-gah)

Greek Alphabet

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Recruitment Policies

Potential New Members have the right to...

Be treated as an individual.

Be fully informed about the recruitment process.

Ask questions and receive true and objective answers from recruitment guides and sorority members.

Be treated with respect.

Be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized.

Ask how and why and receive straight answers.

Have and express opinions to recruitment guides.

Have inviolable confidentiality when sharing information with recruitment guides

Make informed choices without undue pressure from others.

Potential New Member Bill of Rights Limited contact

Strict silence will begin at 7 PM on September 7th, 2014 and last until bid distribution on September 8th, 2014. No sorority member, including alumnae and new members, may communicate or live with potential new members during this period. Strict silence is defined as verbal, nonverbal, written, printed, text message and electronic communication or communicating through a third party. If potential new members live in a residence hall with a sorority member, only casual greetings and contact are permitted.

* This time allows for PNMs to consider all their options without having to feel uncomfortable or pressured from chapter memebers during her decision-making process. We want women to make the decision on which chapter to join for themselves and not based on others opinions or feelings.

Hazing StatementHazing is not tolerated by any of the oranizations at NKU. Northern Kentucky University prohibits any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization.

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Contact Information

Name:

Cell Phone:

Email:

Hattie Clark - Director of Gamma Chi’s 270-321-2366 Ally Roark - Vice President of Membership 513-543-2766 Michelle Wehrly - Panhellenic President 502-316-0573 Kim Vance - Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life 606-584-2675

Other Important Contact Information

My Gamma Chi

It is important to stay in contact with your Gamma Chi throughout the recruitment process. Your Gamma Chi will serve as your point-person for all updates and information during recruitment. Additionally, do not hesitate to ask her any questions you have regarding recruitment and sorority life. Gamma Chis have dissaffiliated from their chapter to help you find your own home in a chapter without bias, awkward scenarios, or pressure!

If you forgot something, are going to be late, miss a round, or just need to talk/process through information, they will be there. Recruitment can be draining and feel overwhelimg at times, your Gamma Chi is there to help!

If you for some reason cannot get in contact with your Gamma Chi or in case of emergency, contact Hattie, Ally or Michelle. If you still can’t get a hold of anyone, call Kim.

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Chapter Designation: Nu OmegaFounding at NKU: April 2013Color: Cardinal RedNickname: A-O-PiPhilanthropy: The Arthritis FoundationNew Member Period: 6 weeksNew Member Semester Dues: $411.01Active Dues per Semester: $323.00Fall 2013 GPA: 2.990Spring 2014 GPA: 2.929Website: aoiinku.comFacebook /aoiinkuTwitter @AOII_NKU

“Exceed the expectation”

Alpha Omicron Pi

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“Do Good”

Delta Gamma

Notes:Chapter Designation: Zeta SigmaFounding at NKU: 1993Color: Bronze, Pink, & BlueNickname: Dee-GeePhilanthropy: Service for SightNew Member Period: 9 weeksNew Member Semester Dues: $552.55Active Dues per Semester: $355.05Fall 2013 GPA: 3.310Spring 2014 GPA: 3.250Website: nku.deltagamma.orgFacebook /NKUDeltaGammaTwitter @DeltaGamma_NKU

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“Enrichment”

Delta Zeta

Notes:Chapter Designation: Kappa BetaFounding at NKU: 1972Color: Rose and GreenNickname: Dee-ZeePhilanthropy: Speech and HearingNew Member Period: 8 weeksNew Member Semester Dues: $502.00Active Dues per Semester: $280.00Fall 2013 GPA: 2.980Spring 2014 GPA: 3.019Website: nkudeltazeta.comFacebook /NKUDeltaZeeTwitter @NKUDeltaZee

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Chapter Designation: Alpha MuFounding at NKU: 1974Color: Silver, Gold, Sapphire BlueNickname: Theta PhiPhilanthropy: Glenmary Home MissionersNew Member Period: 8 weeksNew Member Semester Dues: $352.00Active Dues per Semester: $320.00Fall 2013 GPA: 3.030Spring 2014 GPA: 3.166Website: thetaphinku.orgFacebook /NKUThetaPhiAlphaTwitter @ThetaPhiNKU

Theta Phi Alpha

Notes:

“nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring”

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“Honorable, Beautiful, Highest”

Kappa Delta

Notes:Chapter Designation: Eta EtaFounding at NKU: 2003Color: Olive Green and Pearl WhiteNickname: Kay-DeePhilanthropy: Girl Scouts of the USANew Member Period: 6 weeksNew Member Semester Dues: $402.00Active Dues per Semester: $333.90Fall 2013 GPA: 3.090Spring 2014 GPA: 3.234Website: nku.kappadelta.orgFacebook /KappaDeltaEtaEtaTwitter @KDetaeta

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“Aim High”

Phi Sigma Sigma

Notes:Chapter Designation: Gamma TauFounding at NKU: 1979Colors: King Blue and Gold Nickname: Phi SigPhilanthropy: Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation

New Member Period: 6 weeksNew Member Semester Dues: $392.00Active Dues per Semester: $330.00Fall 2013 GPA: 2.910Spring 2014 GPA: 2.919Website: phisigmasigma.orgFacebook /NKUPhiSigTwitter @NKUPhiSig

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Helpful Hints

• Don’t make any preconceived notions about any particular chapter. You want to go into recruitment with a clear mind

• Don’t tell any sorority/sorority member that you favor them.• Don’t be pressured to join a particular chapter because of a parent, sibling, friend,

boyfriend or companion.• Manage your time wisely. Recruitment will take several hours on each day, including

Bid Day. It is important that you still attend all of your classes and complete all of your coursework. Additionally and if possible, make arrangments with any jobs you have so you are able to particiapte fully in the process. If you are going to miss a portion of recruitment, contact your Gamma Chi.

• Each woman goes through her own journey to find a chapter during recruitment. Try to keep your opinions about recruitment and specific chapters to yourself so you do not influence any one else’s decision.

• Disregard rumors from other women, guys, friends, and anyone else. Make decisions based on your feelings and experiences you have during recruitment.

• Focus on the conversation! Avoid making decisions on material items such as clothing or decorations.

• Write down as much as possible: keeping notes will help you make the best choices and help you distinguish between the many converations you will have during recruitment.

• Have personal down-time; try not to get burned out too quickly. Recruitment is a long weekend and you need to be adequately prepared.

• Drink a lot of water.• Be yourself! The more genuine you are in converations with chapters, the better you

will be able to tell with which group you fit the best. Each chapter at NKU has its own personality and unique characteristics.

• Keep an open mind. Despite what you may have heard about a certain chapter or sorority life at another campus, each chapter is unique and will be important to get to know the women in each chapter.

• Talk to your Gamma Chi about any feelings, questions, or concerns you may have.• Be calm and have fun!

Before Recruitment

During Recruitment

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GlossaryActive: A collegiate, initiated member of a sorority chapter.

Badge: An insignia of fraternity or sorority membership worn by initiated members. Each sorority has its badge.

Bid Day: The last day of recruitment, when potential new members receive bids to join chapters and become new members. Each chapter will usually host a Bid Day celebration to help the new members get to know each other and the rest of the chapter. The Unanimous Agreements state that there is to be no alcohol use or men associated with recruitment or Bid Day. Big sister: An active member of a chapter who is paired with a new member as a mentor.

Gamma Chi: A sorority member who is disassociated from her sorority to serve as a recruitment guide. Each PNM will be assigned a recruitment counselor during formal recruitment. Initiation: A traditional ceremony that brings a new member into full membership of a sorority or fraternity. Once you are initiated into an NPC sorority, you are ineligible for membership in any other. Intentional single preference: When a woman lists only one chapter on her membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement following preference round. Legacy: A daughter, sister or granddaughter of an initiated member of a sorority. Typically, different groups have different definitions of legacies. Being a legacy does not guarantee a bid to a particular sorority. Each inter/national organization has its own policy for invitations to legacies during recruitment MRABA: The Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement. This is a one-year binding agreement signed by a potential new member when ranking chapters after preference round. A PNM agrees to accept a bid from any chapter she lists on her MRABA. If a PNM receives a bid to a chapter she lists and declines it, she is bound to it for one year or until the next primary recruitment period, meaning she cannot accept a bid to any other organization. If a PNM signs an MRABA and does not receive a bid, she is eligible for continuous open bidding or snap bidding. New member: A person who has accepted a bid from a sorority but is not yet an active member of that chapter. Chapters will have some sort of new member process during which the new members learn more about the sorority and prepare them for initiation. Potential New Member (PNM): A woman who is eligible to participate in recruitment. Snap bidding: An option available to chapters that did not fill quota. Chapters may offer bids to potential new members whose preferences were not matched, meaning they would not be extended a bid by chapters they listed on their preference rankings after preference round. This process takes place before bids are distributed, and a potential new member would receive a phone call or other contact by a sorority offering her a snap bid. If she chooses to accept, the new member would participate in normal Bid Day activities.

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It’s not jus

t

four years

;

It’s for lif

e.