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Potential New Member Handbook General Information, Policies, Procedures and Rules

Columbia University Formal Recruitment 2014

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Table of Contents Contact Information 3 Panhellenic Creed 4 Fraternity & Sorority Statement of Shared Values 4 Anti-Hazing Policy 4 Non-Discrimination Policy 5 Potential New Member’s Bill of Rights 5 Potential New Member Rules 6 Formal Recruitment 2014 – An Overview 7 Formal Recruitment 2014 - Schedule 9 Round 1: Philanthropy 9 Round 2: Development 10 Round 3: Preference Night 11 Bid Night 12 Inside the Recruitment Room: Conversation Topics 13 Tips for an Enjoyable Recruitment 14 Membership Recruitment Counselors 15 Our Chapters 16 Frequently Asked Questions 18 Greek Vocabulary 19

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Contact Information Panhellenic Association Executive Board: Amelia Kudenholdt, Outgoing President Jessica Chi, Incoming President Eileen Voges, Outgoing VP Recruitment Sienna Walker, Incoming VP Recruitment Skylar Dabbar, Outgoing VP Communications Elina Bystritskaya, Incoming VP Communications Hannah Gutenplan, Outgoing VP Finance Veronica Zhai, Incoming VP Finance Sofia Vassilieva, Outgoing VP Membership Programming Mara Schwartz, Incoming VP Membership Programming Stephanie Hanchuk, Outgoing VP Public Relations Rachel Schlosser, Incoming VP Public Relations Graduate Assistants for Fraternities and Sororities: Yvonne Pitts Ali Mailman Associate Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life: Brad Badgley Email: panhellexec@columbia.edu Social networking: Follow us on Twitter: @ColumbiaPanhell Follow us on Instagram: @CUpanhellenic Find us on Facebook: Columbia University Fraternity and Sorority Life

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Panhellenic Creed 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. Fraternity & Sorority Statement of Shared Values The fraternity and sorority community at Columbia University strives to foster a holistic collegiate experience that will strengthen a commitment to life-long membership and our alma mater. We believe that through our dedication and promotion of social consciousness we greatly contribute to the creation of a vibrant cultural community that emphasizes diversity, inclusiveness, and mutual respect. We are values based organizations and, through our actions, we embody these ideals and inspire others.

Leadership. Scholarship. Empowerment.

Anti-Hazing Policy In compliance with state law and Columbia University procedures, the Panhellenic Association of Columbia University does not tolerate hazing in any form. Hazing is hereby defined as any planned action, situation, or obligation forced on an individual that causes mental or physical distress or that recklessly endangers the health or safety of that person. Furthermore, student organizations will be held responsible for the actions of their individual members. Any student organization found in violation of the Non-Hazing Policy will be brought before the Columbia University Judicial Board and may be subject to suspension or lose recognition by the University. Under no circumstances should a woman be placed in a situation that is potentially detrimental to her wellbeing. In the event of a hazing violation, please inform a Membership Recruitment Counselor (MRC) or a member of the Panhellenic Executive Board immediately.

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Non-Discrimination Policy The Panhellenic Association of Columbia University does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation or nationality. Potential New Member’s Bill of Rights

• The right to be fully informed about the Formal Recruitment process. • The right to be fully informed about the binding agreements contingent upon

acceptance immediately following the Formal Recruitment process. • The right to be treated with respect as an individual. • The right to ask questions and receive objective and veritable answers from

Membership Recruitment Counselors (MRCs) and the Panhellenic Executive Board.

• The right to have and express opinions to MRCs and the Panhellenic Executive Board.

• The right to inviolable confidentiality when speaking with MRCs and the Panhellenic Executive Board.

• The right to make informed choices without external pressure from other individuals or organizations.

• The right to a safe, positive and enriching recruitment and new membership experience.

Potential New Member Rules

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• A woman must maximize her options in order to be guaranteed a bid from a

National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organization at the conclusion of Formal Recruitment.

• A woman must be a full-time undergraduate student at Columbia University in order to be eligible to participate in Formal Recruitment.

• A woman shall not be, or ever have been, an initiated member of a National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organization.

• A woman is required to attend Potential New Member Orientation and all parties to which she has been invited.

• In the event a woman feels she must withdraw from Formal Recruitment, she must sign an official Recruitment Release Form (ROF) and notify her MRC and the Panhellenic Executive Board.

• A woman shall not communicate in any way with affiliated members of Greek organizations outside of the recruitment rooms.

• A woman is required to wear her provided nametag while attending all events and parties during the Formal Recruitment process.

• A woman is not permitted to visit a sorority or fraternity housing facility during the Formal Recruitment period.

• A woman is not permitted to buy anything for a sorority member nor is she permitted to accept anything, outside of the recruitment room, from a sorority member during the Formal Recruitment period.

• A woman shall not participate in Bid Promising. Bid Promising is hereby defined as any statement that suggests a woman will accept or be extended a bid to a sorority. She must notify her MRC or the Panhellenic Council in the event that this happens.

• A woman is prohibited from conversing with a fellow Potential New Member between parties.

• A woman is prohibited from discussing the following topics with initiated sorority members during Formal Recruitment: Fraternity Men, Alcohol, Bars / Clubs and Chapter Housing.

• A woman shall complete a Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) immediately after her last event. Once a MRABA has been signed, no changes may be made to the MRABA. Any woman who signs a MRABA and receives an invitation to membership shall be bound by the agreement for one calendar year.

• A woman is not permitted to communicate with any other Potential New Members or initiated sorority members during Strict Silence, which is the period between signing the preference card on Preference Night and receiving a bid on Bid Day.

• The Panhellenic Executive Board and the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life reserve the right to release any Potential New Member found in violation of any of the above rules.

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Formal Recruitment 2014 – An Overview

Mutual Selection Process Formal Recruitment is the four-day period in which you are invited to attend parties hosted by Columbia University’s Panhellenic organizations to determine which would be a good fit for you. Each party has a different theme, is meant to be fun, and serves to inform you about the host sorority’s values and individual qualities. Formal Recruitment at Columbia University operates under the Mutual Selection Process. This means that you have the right to select the organizations that interest you, and at the same time, those organizations have the same right to select Potential New Members who they see as a good fit with their chapter. As Formal Recruitment progresses, the number of parties you attend each round will decrease until you discover which sorority is right for you. Formal Recruitment culminates with Bid Night, at which point membership invitations, also known as “bids,” will be offered to Potential New Members by one of our NPC organizations. Round One: Philanthropy Dress Code: Casual – Jeans Okay! The first day of Formal Recruitment, January 31st, is called the “Philanthropy” round and is meant to introduce you to each sorority and their respective philanthropic initiatives. You will attend five parties, each hosted by a different sorority. During these parties you will meet initiated members and take part in a project that is designed to give you a closer look into this aspect of sorority life. At the conclusion of Round One, you will be given two options:

1. You may fill out your first selection list in which you will indicate your order of preference for the five chartered sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, or Sigma Delta Tau. In order to maximize your options you are encouraged to list all five sororities.

2. You will also be given the option to withdraw from Formal Recruitment.

REMINDER: Round Two and Round Three are invitation-only rounds. This means that you will be invited back to the sororities that you have been paired with through the Mutual Selection Process. If you receive an invitation from a chapter, you MUST attend its party, or you will be released from the Formal Recruitment process. Round Two: Development Dress Code: Classy Brunch – a casual dress, skirt or slacks Round Two, called “Development,” begins on the second day of Formal Recruitment, February 1st. At the start of this round, you might be invited to attend

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parties by a maximum of four chapters. At each party you attend, you’ll see a slideshow presentation designed to give you a better understanding of a sorority’s values and how its members contribute to these ideals.

Following Round Two, you will be asked to fill out your second selection list. You’ll indicate your order of preference only for the sororities whose parties you were invited to attend. In order to maximize your options, we encourage you to rank all of the sororities you visited during Round Two. Round Three: Preference Night Dress Code: Formal attire of any color except black Round Three, Preference Night, occurs on the third day of Formal Recruitment, February 2nd. During this round, you will see a more in-depth and personal side of sorority life at Columbia University. You have the potential to be invited to attend a maximum of two parties hosted by any of the five chartered sororities that you listed at the conclusion of Development. During the parties, the host sorority will invite you to participate in a special ceremony to mark your entry into the Greek community. Immediately following your last party on Preference Night, you will follow your MRCs to a designated location to receive and sign your Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA). By listing an organization on your MRABA, you state that you would be willing to accept a bid to membership from an organization (or from either of the organizations listed, if two Preference parties are attended). In order to maximize your options, we encourage you to list all chapters you visit that night. A signed MRABA is a binding agreement, and thus cannot be changed once it has been signed. If you receive an invitation to become a member of a sorority and choose not to accept this invitation, you will be ineligible to join a NPC organization until the next Formal Recruitment period. Bid Night Dress Code: Comfortable! Jeans okay! On the final night of Formal Recruitment, February 3rd, you may be extended an invitation to membership (bid) from one of the NPC sororities. Once you have received and accepted your bid, you will join your new sisters and celebrate your entry into the Panhellenic community.

Formal Recruitment 2014 - Schedule

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Round One: Philanthropy Friday, January 31st Each Potential New Member will be assigned to attend one of three sessions and must attend her assigned session in its entirety. Each session consists of five, thirty minute parties with fifteen minutes of allotted travel time between each party. Chapter Locations: AOII – Wein Lounge AXO – Shapiro Lounge DG – Carman Lounge KAT – John Jay Lounge SDT – Wallach Lounge Session 1 MRC groups 1-10: Friday, January 31st Meet with MRC Group: 8:15 AM, The Broadway Room in Lerner Party 1: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Party 2: 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM Party 3: 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Party 4: 11:15 AM – 11:45 PM Party 5: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM After your last party, you will sign your selection list in the Broadway Room in Lerner Session 2 MRC groups 11-20: Friday, January 31st Meet with MRC Group: 12:45 PM, Furnald Lounge Party 1: 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Party 2: 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM Party 3: 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Party 4: 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM Party 5: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM After your last party, you will sign your selection list in the Broadway Room in Lerner Session 3: Friday, January 31st Meet with MRC Group: 4:45 PM, Lerner 569 Party 1: 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM Party 2: 6:15 PM – 6:45 PM Party 3: 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM Party 4: 7:45 PM – 8:15 PM Party 5: 8:30 PM – 9:00 PM After your last party, you will sign your selection list in the Broadway Room in Lerner Round Two: Development Saturday, February 1st

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Each Potential New Member will be assigned to either the morning or afternoon session and will be invited to attend a maximum of four, forty-minute parties with fifteen minutes of allotted travel time between each party. Chapter Locations: AOII – Wallach lounge AXO – Wein lounge DG – John Jay lounge KAT – Carman lounge SDT – Shapiro lounge Morning Session: Schedule Distribution: 8:15am, the Broadway room in Lerner Party 1: 9:00 AM – 9:40 AM Party 2: 9:55 AM – 10:35 AM Party 3: 10:50 AM – 11:30 AM Party 4: 11:45 AM – 12:25 PM Party 5: 12:45 PM – 1:20 PM After your last party, you will sign your selection list in the Broadway room in Lerner Afternoon Session: Schedule Distribution: 2:15pm, Lerner: Roone Arledge Cinema Party 1: 3:00 PM – 3:40 PM Party 2: 3:55 PM – 4:35 PM Party 3: 4:50 PM – 5:30 PM Party 4: 5:45 PM – 6:25 PM Party 5: 6:40 PM – 7:20 PM After your last party, you will sign your selection list in the Broadway Room in Lerner Round Three: Preference Sunday, February 2nd

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Each Potential New Member will be invited to attend a maximum of two, sixty-minute parties with fifteen minutes of allotted travel time between each party. Chapter Locations: AOII – John Jay lounge AXO – Wallach lounge DG – Shapiro Lounge KAT – Wein Lounge SDT – Carman Lounge Schedule Distribution: Meet MRCs at 2:30pm in the Lerner Party Space Evening: Party 1: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Party 2: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM Party 3: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Party 4: 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM After your last party you must sign your MRABA in the Broadway Room in Lerner Bid Night Monday, February 3rd

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2:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Bid distribution in Lerner Board Rooms. MRC 1: Lerner 501; 2:00-2:30 MRC 2: Lerner 502; 2:00-2:30 MRC 3: Lerner 503; 2:00-2:30 MRC 4: Lerner 569; 2:00-2:30 MRC 5: Lerner 501; 2:45-3:15 MRC 6: Lerner 502; 2:45-3:15 MRC 7: Lerner 503; 2:45-3:15 MRC 8: Lerner 569; 2:45-3:15 MRC 9: Lerner 501; 3:30-4:00 MRC 10: Lerner 502; 3:30-4:00 MRC 11: Lerner 503; 3:30-4:00 MRC 12: Lerner 569; 3:30-4:00 MRC 13: Lerner 501; 4:15-4:45 MRC 14: Lerner 502; 4:15-4:45 MRC 15: Lerner 503; 4:15-4:45 MRC 16: Lerner 569; 4:15-4:45 MRC 17: Lerner 501; 5:00-5:30 MRC 18: Lerner 502; 5:00-5:30 MRC 19: Lerner 503; 5:00-5:30 MRC 20: Lerner 569; 5:00-5:30 MRC 21: Lerner 501; 5:45-6:15 MRC 22: Lerner 502; 5:45-6:15 MRC 23: Lerner 503; 5:45-6:15 MRC 24&25: Lerner 569; 5:45-6:15 MRC 26: Lerner 501; 6:30-7:00 MRC 27: Lerner 502; 6:30-7:00 MRC 28: Lerner 503; 6:30-7:00 MRC 29 & 30: Lerner 569; 6:30-7:00 Your MRCs will tell you when and where to meet your new sisters after you have accepted your bid! Inside the Recruitment Room: Conversation Topics

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The most important thing to remember about Formal Recruitment is that it is a time to be yourself. During Recruitment parties, it is just as important for you to get to know each sorority as it is for the sorority women to get to know you. With that in mind, the Panhellenic Executive Board has compiled a list of conversation topics, questions, and tips that will help you make the most out of your recruitment experience. Conversation Topics: Do’s Social

• What kind of social events does your chapter have planned for this year? • How often does your chapter have social events? • Does your chapter hold any annual events? • Is attendance at social events mandatory?

Activities • Does your sorority have any special events or projects? • What kinds of campus activities are your group’s members involved in? • Do you have activities with other sororities? If so, what kinds of

activities? Scholarship

• In what ways does your sorority promote scholarship? • Is there a required GPA for initiation? • Do you have required study hours?

Philanthropy • What kind of service is your chapter involved in? • What are your local and national philanthropic projects? • Do you volunteer outside of the Columbia community?

New Member Education • What does your new membership program consist of? • How long does the new member period last? • What responsibilities does a new member have? • What are the time requirements associated with being a new member?

Conversation Topics: Don’ts The Four Bs

1. Booze – All talk of alcohol and illicit substances is entirely off-limits. 2. Boys – Dads and siblings only! Fraternity members and other men should

not be points of discussion. 3. Brownstones – Chapter housing is not a permissible conversation topic. 4. Bars – Talk about nights out in bars/ clubs are strictly prohibited

Tips for an Enjoyable Recruitment

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1. Dress for the weather! IT IS WINTER, read: COLD! 2. Think about your feet. Those heels might seem like a good idea in the beginning

of the day, but after standing and walking for a few hours, you may begin to regret those 4-inchers.

3. As always, be cautious of rumors you may have heard about chapters. If it sounds crazy, it probably is. Take recruitment as an opportunity to assess your fit with each chapter based on your own interactions with its members, not with what “Cindy” heard from a friend of a friend’s friend.

4. Be aware of what you say about our chapters around other people. Remember that whom you’re talking to could be a current or future member of that chapter, and she probably has friends who currently are or soon will be members of that chapter – don’t allow your opinions to influence theirs.

5. Sorority members at each party are just as nervous as you might be! Most of them have been through Formal Recruitment themselves and understand what you’re going through.

6. You can’t bring anything into the Recruitment Room, so only bring purses and jackets that you would feel comfortable leaving on coat racks outside of the recruitment room.

7. Stay hydrated and remember to eat! You’ll be on your feet and in conversation for extended periods of time, so make sure you fuel and rest your body appropriately. Low energy makes for a dull and uncomfortable day of Recruitment.

8. Talk to your MRCs! They’re ready and able to answer ANY questions you may have.

9. Don’t be discouraged if the sorority you wanted doesn’t turn out to be a match. Keep an open mind and trust the Mutual Selection Process – you might be surprised how things work out!

10. Take notes! After each party it’s a good idea to write down who you met, what you talked about, and anything that stuck out to you about the sorority you visited. These notes will help you make decisions later on.

11. Always be courteous and show interest by asking questions – conversation is key. 12. Most importantly, be yourself and have fun!

Membership Recruitment Counselors

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Recruitment can be both exciting and hectic. However, you are not alone in the process! In addition to the other women going through the same PNM experience, you will also be assisted by a group of sorority women whose sole purpose during Formal Recruitment is to guide and help you through the process. These women are called Membership Recruitment Counselors, or MRCs, and they will be a valuable resource to you during Formal Recruitment. The Panhellenic Executive Board has carefully selected each MRC for her positive and unbiased attitude. MRCs have completely disaffiliated from their chapters so that they can focus on helping you find your place within the Greek community. As representatives of the entire Greek community, MRCs will be your friends, advisors and sources of objective information. Each PNM has two MRCs that they share with a group of about 20 other women. They are great resources – use them!

2014 Membership Recruitment Counselors

Abbee Cox Adele Zhang Aislinn Crank

Alexandra Freschet Alice Xavier de Brito

Joanna Rappoport Karen Hime

Katey Peardon Laura Fitch

Laura Wasserman Alix Cook

Amanda Leng Smith Lauren Yee

Leigh Colvin Anastasia Anazonwu

Anna Etra Britanny Binderoff Carolina Garrigo

Leora Nessim Lindsey Heller

Liza Faber Lynden Unger

Charlotte Cook Chelsea Keys Chloe Durkin

Daniela Lapidous Danielle Fong

Denisse Melgar Elizabeth Carrolo Elizabeth Wade Elly McGuffog Emily Harris Emily Ulrich

Emma Pendry-Aber Eva Holzner Eve Karon

Gabriella Aroca Gabriela Ittah

Gemmarose Ragozzine Grace Ferrara

Hannah Skolnik Jaclyn Fu

Jacqueline Xu

Madison Pracht Manali Yavatkar Maria D’Amico Mary Cosgrove Meredith Pitkoff Michaela Shapiro

Michelle Kirel Michelle Vogt

Niki Farkas Rabeka Cohan Rakhi Agrawal Samara Pollock

Sanzana Faroque Sarah Fakhry

Sarah Friedman Seana Brown Sophie Mann Stefani Karr Stella Kim Stella Zhao

Victoria Albert

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Our Chapters

Alpha  Chi  Omega  (ΑΧΩ)  Theta  Psi  Chapter  

 Founded:  1885  

Chartered  at  Columbia:  1989  Philanthropy:  Sanctuary  for  Families  Colors:  Olive  Green  &  Scarlet  Red  

Symbol:  Lyre

Alpha  Omicron  Pi  (AOΠ)  Alpha  Chapter  

 Founded:  1897  

Philanthropy:  Arthritis  Research  and  Education  

Colors:  Cardinal  Symbol:  Jacqueminot  Rose,  Wheat

Delta  Gamma  (∆Γ)  Zeta  Theta  Chapter  

 Founded:  1873  

Chartered  at  Columbia:  1989  Philanthropy:  Service  for  Sight  Colors:  Bronze,  Pink  &  Blue  

Symbol:  Anchor

Kappa  Alpha  Theta  (ΚΑΘ)  Epsilon  Upsilon  Chapter  

 Founded:  1870  

Chartered  at  Columbia:  1991  Philanthropy:  Court  Appointed  Special  Advocates  

Colors:  Black  &  Gold  Symbol:  Twin  Stars  &  Theta  Kite

Sigma  Delta  Tau  (Σ∆Τ)  Gamma  Tau  Chapter  

 Founded:  1917  

Chartered  at  Columbia:  1992  Philanthropy:  Prevent  Child  Abuse  America    

Colors:  Cafe  au  Lait  &  Old  Blue  Symbol:  Torch

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to go to all of the parties listed on my schedule? A: Yes, absolutely. This helps you meet as many sorority women as possible and allows you to take a second or third look at these chapters in order to form a thorough opinion. Any Potential New Member who does not attend each of her parties will be withdrawn from Formal Recruitment. Q: Do I have to go back to a sorority that I am no longer interested in? A: Yes. If a sorority invites you back that means that they think you would be a good match for them. You never know how your opinion may change between rounds, so you are encouraged to keep an open mind throughout the duration of recruitment. Q: Do I have to list all chapters on my preference cards? A: It is highly recommended that you list all the eligible chapters on your selection lists in order to maximize your opportunities for membership. The Panhellenic Association can only guarantee a bid for those women who have fully completed Formal Recruitment and maximized their options. Q: What is a MRABA? A: A MRABA is a Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement. On this form, you list in order of preference the sororities from which you are willing to accept invitations to membership, and it is expected that if a sorority is listed that you will accept their invitation if extended. The MRABA is signed following Preference Night, and it is a binding agreement – once it is signed, it cannot be changed. Q: Do I have to sign my MRABA? A: No, you do not have to sign your MRABA. This is the same as withdrawing from Formal Recruitment. If you choose not to sign a MRABA, you must sign a form declaring your decision to withdraw from Recruitment. Q: What happens if I get a bid and don’t want to accept it? A: If you receive an invitation to membership, or a bid, and decide to decline, you will be ineligible to join a sorority for a full calendar year. For this reason, it is extremely important that you only list sororities that you would be willing to accept invitations from on your MRABA. However, we recommend that you keep an open mind and balance the decision to accept with the desire to maximize your potential of receiving an invitation to membership.

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Q: What is COB / Informal Recruitment? A: COB, or Continuous Open Bidding, is also called Informal Recruitment. It is a secondary period of recruitment during which chapters that are still able to take new members after the Formal Recruitment process ends will have an opportunity to immediately do so. The primary form of Membership Recruitment for Alpha Omicron Pi will be COB and will occur beginning February 11th – at this point, other chapters will stop participating in COB. Q: How much does being in a sorority cost? A: Each sorority requires that its members pay a certain amount per semester in sorority dues. The first semester of membership (the new member period) is the most expensive semester due to the large number of activities in the new membership program. Dues for each sorority are similar in price, between $580-$650 per new member. Subsequent semester dues range from $300-$400. Each sorority has its own way of helping you pay for your dues, whether it is a scholarship program or payment plan. Panhellenic has a Scholarship fund that can provide aid in addition to each sororities programs. Q: What do I do if I want to withdraw from Formal Recruitment? A: If you are having misgivings about Recruitment, talk to your MRCs! They’ll be able to give you invaluable insight and counseling. If you still want to withdraw after speaking with them, you must notify your MRCs and sign a Recruitment Release Form which is available from your MRC as well as from the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life in 515 Lerner Hall. Q: What happens if I don’t get an invitation? A: Unfortunately, some women who participate in Recruitment do not receive invitations back to parties. To avoid this, the best you can do is to have meaningful conversations when you are in the Recruitment Room. If this happens, you still have the option of going through Informal Recruitment, or Continuous Open Bidding. Q: If I am a legacy to a sorority, is there anything I should know? A: Be aware that chapters are not required to offer bids to legacies of their sorority, so maintain an open mind about all sororities as you go through recruitment. Q: Why shouldn’t I list a single preference on my selection lists? A: This seriously reduces your chances of receiving an invitation to membership at the end of Formal Recruitment. Further, if you intentionally limit your options, you are not guaranteed to receive a bid.

Greek Vocabulary

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Pronunciation of Chapters ΑΧΩ Alpha Chi Omega (al-phuh k-eye oh-may-guh) ΑΟΠ Alpha Omicron Pi (al-phuh oh-mih-kronn pie) ΔΓ Delta Gamma (del-ta gam-ah) ΚΑΘ Kappa Alpha Theta (capp-uh al-phuh thay-tuh) Σ∆Τ Sigma Delta Tau (sigg-muh dell-tuh tow [as in towel]) Vocabulary Bid: A formal invitation to join a particular organization. Chapter: A local group of a larger national organization, designated with its own special Greek name. Columbia University Panhellenic Association: The self-governing student organization that provides guidelines and support to Columbia University’s NPC sororities. Initiation: The formal ceremony that marks the beginning of active membership. Each chapter has a different set of requirements in order to be initiated. MRABA: Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement. This is the item that all women going through Formal Recruitment will sign after Preference rounds, indicating their top two choices of sororities to affiliate with. Once this form is signed, it CANNOT be changed. NPC: National Panhellenic Conference. A national organization composed of 26 member sororities, each of which is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of women, undergraduates and alumnae. Columbia University has five NPC organizations: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Sigma Delta Tau. PNM: Potential New Member. Strict Silence: The period from after a PNM signs her MRABA until she receives her bid. A PNM cannot communicate in any way with an affiliated member of a sorority during this time.

COB:  Continuous  Open  Bidding.  This  is  an  informal  recruitment  process  in  which  Sororities  that  have  not  yet  met  total  may  participate.  The process occurs either  in  the  spring  semester,  following  formal  recruitment,  or  in  the  fall  semester.  In  the  fall  semester,  only  women  who  are  sophomores,  juniors,  or  seniors  are  eligible  to  participate  in  the  process.  

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Get excited for an awesome Formal Recruitment!!