2016 OKCU Panhellenic Brochure

PANHELLENIC RECRUITMENT GUIDE 2016

A M ESSAG E FROM OU R R EC RU ITM EN T OFFIC ER Welcome, Star!

each of our sisterhoods

Each of our four houses

has something unique to

is full of strong women

On behalf of the Panhellenic

offer, every woman in

that will encourage you in

Community, I would like

our community has found a

all of your endeavors and

to welcome you and let

house that they proudly call

enrich your life every day.

you know how ecstatic we

their home.

Recruitment is an exciting

are that you have chosen

time to get to know your

Oklahoma City University as

When you take the first step

fellow freshmen women and

your new home. I am even

toward joining a sorority by

more than 40 percent of the

more delighted that you are

going through Recruitment,

female population on OCU’s

considering joining one of our

you are not just choosing

fantastic campus. There is

four amazing sisterhoods,

which Greek letters you will

truly nothing to lose by going

which make up the largest

wear, you are becoming a

through recruitment, but so

student organization on

part of something that is

very much to gain! Get ready

far greater than yourself.

to meet new friends, make

Joining a sorority will enrich

memories, and have fun!

campus.

WEL COM E TO

The OCU sorority community is recognized as one of the finest in the country, with numerous chapters and individual members earning national awards in the areas of scholarship, community service, and leadership each year. Whether your passion is academia, performance, service, fellowship, leadership, or athletics, joining a sorority can assist you in achieving more than you ever thought possible.

Within our four Panhellenic

your college experience

sororities, we have women

academically and socially,

represented from nearly

and will inspire you to grow

every field of study,

into the woman you hope to

Meagan Chew

athletic team, and student

become. The bonds you form

Panhellenic Vice President

organization on campus,

with your sisters are not ones

so there is a perfect fit

that last four years, but are

for everyone! Because

ones that will last for life.

Best Wishes,

OCU Panhellenic Association and Council NAT IONA L PA N H E L L E NIC CON F E R E NCE

Phi, Delta Gamma, Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Pi Beta Phi to discuss their similarities and the

National Panhellenic Conference

honor of belonging to a women’s

(NPC) is an organization that

fraternity both for their time

oversees and supports the

and still today. As time went on

growth of 26 sororities and

NPC began to organize, creating

women’s fraternities both

councils at Universities and

nationally and internationally.

Colleges where these women’s

NPC holds these individual

fraternities existed.

organizations to high standards,

A Message From Our President from each of the

is able to develop fully

sororities, and each

into the best version of

woman is chosen

herself. Sisters are always

to be a voice and

there to encourage each

embodiment of her

other to get involved and

own house on the

become strong leaders.

council. The council

Lastly we value service

discusses matters

that above many things

such as recruitment,

women’s Greek Life never

scholarship, social

hesitates to give back.

events, philanthropy,

Each sisterhood invests

and is then able to

time into raising money

ensure all houses

for their philanthropy, and

are meeting the

completing community

higher aims that all women’s fraternities wish to fulfill. At OCU, Panhellenic supports all the women’s fraternities in their individual goals and is always working

and ensures that women are

PANHE LLENIC AT O CU

to find innovative ways to

women’s fraternities during

At Oklahoma City University

Greek life experience. Without

their college years. Panhellenic

the Panhellenic Council exists

the existence of Panhellenic,

focuses on what we all have in

to oversee the four women’s

women’s fraternities would

common. Historically NPC began

fraternities on campus: Alpha Chi

not be given the supportive

when Kappa Kappa Gamma

Omega, Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi

environment needed to grow.

invited six other women’s

Beta, and Phi Mu. The council

The Panhellenic council at OCU

fraternities including Alpha

consists of three representatives

believes in all that it means to be

able to gain an enriching and rewarding experience through

improve the quality of women’s

a part of a women’s fraternity and works to continue to make the opportunity available for women for years to come.

At Oklahoma City University the Panhellenic council and

service hours. Through these values women in OCU Greek Life are all able to achieve more as individuals, and create an experience that lasts far beyond their four years at OCU.

Panhellenic to me means coming together with women that share the same love for sisterhood and believe in the power of belonging to a women’s fraternity. Each fraternity has a rich history full of strong minded and courageous women.

Women’s fraternities choosing to join together and create the NPC furthered the growth and strength of the fraternal bond.

It has been such a privilege to serve on Panhellenic Council and to find women who are both mentors and friends throughout women’s Greek Life. Being on the council has shown me, while we all have our strengths, together we are able to become

community values sisterhood

more; striving to create a strong

and the lifelong bond and

Panhellenic community. We each

memories that come with it.

have found our own homes to

We value scholarship because

grow as women and build life-

college is a time to learn and

long memories, but it is through

grow as students, and discover

Panhellenic that each sisterhood

what it is we are meant to do.

is able to remain strong.

We value leadership; through women’s Greek Life each woman

Chandler M. Hardy Panhellenic President

Welcome from Greek Life

The following information will be required for registration: • Your student ID Number (B-Number). Your B-Number is a nine-digit number starting with the letter B.

detail, as it will be a resource

• Your high school information,

to many of the questions you

including your GPA

will have regarding Greek Life.

• Your T-Shirt size

If you still have questions,

• Your honors, activities, or

don’t hesitate to contact your

service experience

Rho Gamma or the Panhellenic Plan to register for everything in

Advisor.

one sitting; if you close your Any women with

application it will not be saved

special needs due to

and you must start from the

Your first week

health or disability

beginning.

of college is

are encouraged

one of the most

to contact the

exciting weeks

OCU Panhellenic

you will have

Advisor at

in your college

405.208.7903. We

career, and

want everyone to

taking the leap

have an outstanding

to participate

recruitment

in Sorority Recruitment may be

experience!

where you meet your new best

FOR SOROR ITY R E CRU I T M E N T

Contact Information okcu.edu/students/greeklife/ 405.208.6287 ljharrel@okcu.edu

friend! Should you choose to

The OCU Panhellenic Advisor and

accept a bid to one of our four

Rho Gammas are here to assist

amazing chapters, you will join

you in the recruitment process

the long legacy of OCU Greek

and help you get adjusted your

students who have focused

first few days at OCU. Don’t

their life around the values of

hesitate to say hello, we just may

Once you have completed your

leadership, scholarship, service,

be your new sisters soon!

registration application and your

Find us on Facebook at OCU Sorority Recruitment 2016

payment has been received, a

and sisterhood.

Registration for Sorority

confirmation email will be sent

The Panhellenic Council at OCU

Recruitment is available online at

within the following two weeks.

facilitates a fully structured

okcu.edu/students/greeklife/.

Remember to check your OCU

recruitment process during Stars

Registration will open on April

email regularly to see any updates

Week, the week before classes

11, 2016 and will close on

or information you might need!

start in the Fall. Please take the

August 16, 2016 at 11:50 p.m.

time to review this booklet in

To register, visit: okcu.edu/students/greeklife/panhellenic > Click the “Online Registration” link > Fill in required information

Schedule of Events EV ERYTHING YOU NEED TO K NOW AUG

16

PARENT INFORMATION SESSION: GREEK LIFE (parents only) 3:00-5:00 pm Meinders School of Business

G RE E K LIFE IN FORMATION ME E TI NG (student event, parents welcome)

M U T UAL SEL ECTION PRO C E SS

many chapters as possible during

and during Sorority Recruitment.

their recruitment experience.

Use this time to make new OCU Panhellenic Council

campus!

does not set any academic

There is no guarantee that a

selection process that balances

woman will receive a bid to any

the preferences of each potential

sorority. However, if a PNM

new member with those of our

attends all the events she is

sorority chapters. The OCU

invited to and is invited to a party

Panhellenic Council attempts

on Preference Night (Round 3)

to give each potential new

and lists those chapters on her

member the opportunity to find

preference sheet that night, she

the sorority that best suits her

will receive a bid to one of those

individual interests, personality,

chapters.

woman to a chapter. If you have

an objective and organized

There is no specific formula or

have told you that you need a

membership selection process

reason to explain why a woman

for the chapters.

is released from a particular

and values, while providing

chapter, or why a woman prefers

AC ADEM IC STAN DAR D S

friends in all the organizations on Sorority Recruitment is a mutual

RE COMME N DATION LE TTERS A letter of recommendation is written by an alumna member of an organization for the purpose of introducing a family members or friends who recommendation letter to get into a sorority, no need to worry!

Fortunately, recommendation letters do not play a large role in

conditions for potential new

5:30-11:15 pm Panhellenic Quad

it is important to understand each chapter has grade point average requirements set by its international organization and local chapters. It is possible, but extremely rare, for exceptions to

you may have significantly fewer opportunities than participants

on Wednesday. There is no

to provide the opportunity for

guarantee that a PNM will be

each PNM to join her chapter

invited to attend the second or

of choice, but there are no

third event rounds. Invitations

guarantees a young woman will

to subsequent rounds are made

be placed within that specific

based entirely on both the

sorority. However, there are

preferences of the PNMs and of

four outstanding options at OCU

the chapters. PNM schedules

and there is no bad choice. It is

will be maximized so they are

important to keep an open mind

requirements differ from chapter

able to able to get to know as

during your first week in college,

to chapter.

[Organization Name] Attn: Recruitment Officer 2501 N Blackwelder Oklahoma City, OK 73106

PNM ME ETING 4:00-4:30 pm Watson Lounge, Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel

PHI L ANTHROP Y N IGHT-ROUN D 2 4:30-10:15 pm Panhellenic Quad

is below a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale),

Council to make every effort

19

your high school or college GPA

the first round, which begins

be mailed directly to:

AUG

be made to these guidelines. If

goal of the OCU Panhellenic

recommendation letter, they can

5:00-5:30 pm Watson Lounge, Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel

recruitment process. However,

to potential new members for

in providing you with a

17

PNM ME ETING

OPE N HOUSE PARTIES-ROUN D 1

one chapter to another. It is the

If someone is interested

AUG

member to participate in our

Invitations are only guaranteed

the recruitment process at OCU.

7:00-8:00 pm Petree Recital Hall, Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

with higher GPAs. Potential new members who do not meet the

AUG

20

minimum academic requirements

PNM ME ETING 4:00-4:30 pm Watson Lounge, Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel

PRE FE RENCE N IGHT-ROUN D 3 4:30-9:15 pm Panhellenic Quad

of a specific chapter are typically released early in the recruitment process to allow these women to explore other alternatives.

After accepting membership in a chapter, there are academic requirements for women to stay active in the chapter. The GPA

AUG

21

BI D DAY !

10:00 am Great Hall

L

NFE CO

N AT I O N A

S C HOL A R SHI P

RE N C E

EV ERY THING YOU NE ED TO K NOW

SISTERHOOD

Scholarship is an important

How do they do this? Sororities

Joining the Greek system gives

aspect of any college

concentrate on creating

you the opportunity to create

organization, but OCU

successful scholarship programs

a unique and special bond with

Panhellenic women have taken

that help each member reach her

women in your organization.

their commitment to scholarship

academic goals. Some of these

One of the greatest aspects

to the next level! Panhellenic

programs include, study buddies

of joining a sorority is making

women have consistently

and academic tutors. Each

new friends that will last long

outperformed their all-women

chapter takes great pride in their

after you graduate from OCU.

and all-campus counterparts,

academic accomplishments and

Sisterhood means more than

recording an average 3.52 GPA

makes a priority to encourage

wearing the same Greek letters,

over the course of the past 10

academic excellence in their

attending meetings and going

semesters.

members.

to socials; it is about developing the camaraderie and sense of belonging that will impact your college years and your life beyond.

Sororities were founded as social organizations, and learning to interact in these environments will help you in your professional and personal life outside of college. Our events support the important goal of bringing people together to develop bonds and friendship.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

year of membership is the most expensive. At OCU, the first

The financial requirements of

year of membership ranges in

joining a sorority vary from

$480 per semester to $745 per

chapter to chapter. Dues

semester. However, rates are

information for each chapter

consist of expenses related

reduced significantly the second

will be discussed during Formal

to membership fees, new

year and beyond. At OCU, the

Recruitment. Feel free to ask any

membership fees and cost of

second year of membership

questions you have about the

maintaining meeting house

ranges from $370 per semester

financial commitment to have a

facilities. There are also

to $462 per semester.

clear picture of the investment

occasional one-time fees to

Payment options vary from

you are making. It is important

cover the cost of various things;

chapter to chapter, also. Many of

to consider all of the financial

such as, initiation badges, meals

our chapters offer payment plans

obligations associated with being

and events. Typically, the first

and scholarships. All financial

in a sorority.

EV ERY THING YOU NE ED TO K NOW

L E A DE R S H I P

SERVICE & PHILANTHROPY

Leadership is acquired through

all OCU student-athletes are

One of the most enriching

hands-on experience, and OCU

members of Greek Life.

aspects of being involved in a

sororities offer just that to their

Each organization offers dozens

sorority is the unique opportunity

members. Chapters encourage

of opportunities for their

to work as a group to make the

their members to get involved

members to take on leadership

world a better place. All of the

and to maximize their potential

roles. Additionally, each chapter

sororities at OCU make service

in their chapter and on campus.

offers programming targeted

a priority in their activities and

Almost 40 percent of all OCU

to leadership development and

for their members. Sorority

current student organization

cultivating the skills that will

women contribute volunteer

presidents and 30 percent of

enable their members to excel.

efforts and raise money for monetary donations to a number of important local and national causes. Our women donate

Did You Know?

Did you know your experience in Greek Life can help you out of college too? A recent national Gallup-Purdue Index found a relationship between Greek Life and post-graduate success. The study found that respondents who identified

hundreds of hours and thousands

together to show everyone what

is part of what makes being an

to hear the talents of all the

of dollars in an effort to improve

OCU means to them. While

OCU star so spectacular!”

different houses on campus and

their community. It is the ideal

Homecoming is a competitive

of many of our organizations to

time, it brings everyone together

– Mackenzie Kelly, Homecoming

closer. Judges select the Best

instill a sense of responsibility

by uniting us as a student body

Commissioner 2014

Production as well as Blue Key

in our members to enrich their

that loves our university. Other

Honor Society, who produces the

world.

than showing campus pride,

event, selects the Best in Show

Homecoming is fun! You learn

themselves as Greek scored better in overall well-being, workplace engagement, emotional support from their college, experiential learning experience as a student, and alumni attachment. For more information, click here.

things about your organization,

HOME COMING

the university, your peers, and yourself that you would not have

“Homecoming is an amazing

known otherwise and you create

time on campus. It’s really a

bonds that will last your entire

time when organizations work

time on campus. Homecoming

the event draws each house

SPR ING SING “Spring Sing is a campus-wide event where all the houses compete in a friendly way as to who can put on the best musical production. It is so refreshing

awards. The event is also a great way to help philanthropies all around the school so it feels nice to give back to our community.”

– Jordan Hopkins, Blue Key Honor Society President

N EW M EM B ER M EETING S

R EC RU ITM EN T TR AIN ING

SC HOL A R S H I P School always comes first

As a new member, you will

Throughout the year,

for Greek students. Our

be required to attend weekly

chapters host recruitment-

Greek population includes

new member meetings in

training programs to help

almost every major available

addition to weekly chapter

their new members prepare

on OCU’s campus, and our

meetings. The goal of these

for Sorority Recruitment in

results show that students

meetings is to teach new

the Fall. New members are

involved in Greek life excel

members about the values,

expected to be in attendance

academically. Sororities will

traditions and rituals of their

at these events.

give extra attention to new

sorority chapter.

PH IL AN TH ROPY EV EN TS

members to ensure that

AC TIV E PARTIC IPATION

Each of our Greek chapters

encouraged to participate in

devotes time and energy

campus-wide events, such

to supporting their own

as Homecoming, Spring Sing

local and/or national

and Relay for Life, etc. These

philanthropies. Each chapter

events offer new members

will host events each

a chance to engage with the

semester to raise awareness

university and to get to know

and donations for the cause.

people outside of their Greek

New members are invited

membership.

to attend and participate in these events to socialize within the community and to promote a necessary cause.

position them for success in their first year with the organization.

New Members are

NEW M EM BER

school is their focus and to

University Policies & Codes NAT IONA L H AZI NG PR E V E N T ION WEEK

HA Z ING POLIC Y

DRUG S & AL C OHOL

Policy concerning these actions will be subjected to University

Oklahoma City University has a

Oklahoma City University is a “dry

sanctions, as well as possible civil

Greek Life supported National

zero-tolerance policy regarding

campus” and the use, possession,

and criminal penalties.

Hazing Prevention this past year

hazing that is consistent with

manufacture, or distribution of

by raising awareness about the

Oklahoma state law. Hazing

drugs and/or alcohol is strictly

contrary purpose it has on our

is contrary to the purposes

prohibited. Furthermore, providing

Find more information on all

community. The OCU Panhellenic

of the Greek community and

these substances on or off campus

OCU’s Policies and Codes by

Council started off the week by

the University. Hazing is

is strictly forbidden. If you sense

clicking here.

tabling outside the OCU Cafeteria

not tolerated. If you sense a

a student is violating this policy

using a social media campaign

student may be participating in

you should contact the Dean of

to discuss what sisterhood and

inappropriate activities as a result

Students Office.

friendship meant to them. Using

of membership in a sorority or

the hash tag “Words Matter” our

fraternity, you should contact the

Panhellenic women came out and

Dean of Students Office. Calls will

explained what sisterhood really

be handled in a discreet manner.

meant to them.

RESPONSE ABILITY PROJECT

The Student Code of Conduct States: “Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the

DISC R IM INATION, H AR ASSM EN T, R ETAL IATION, & V IOL ENC E Oklahoma City University has a zero-tolerance policy for

We started 2014 with the mission of empowering our Greek students to be the positive impact on our community.

discrimination, harassment,

Greek Life, Panhellenic and IFC partnered to bring out Mike Dilbeck, an award-winning speaker, to present his

retaliation, or violence.

Response Ability project to our Greek community. Response Ability revolves around bystander intervention training,

Allegations of such conduct will

and puts the power in the hands of our students to keep harmful events from happening on our campus. Our

be investigated and anyone found

students took the pledge to stop acts of harassment, bullying or hazing from happening on our campus.

to have violated the University’s

purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliations with, or as a condition of membership in, a group or organization. The express or implied consent of the victim shall not be a defense.

Neither apathy nor acquiescence in the presence of hazing is a neutral act; both are violations of this rule.”

Alpha Chi Omega "TOGETHER L ET US SEEK THE HE IGHTS"

Alpha Phi

" U N ION H AN D IN H AN D "

NAT IONA L FOUNDI NG

NATIONAL FOU N DING

October 15, 1885

October 10, 1872

DePauw University

Syracuse University

OCU C H A P T ER

O C U C H APTER

Gamma Tau

Delta Delta

Chartered in 1955

Chartered in 1961

C OL OR S

C OL OR S

Scarlet Red & Olive Green

Silver & Bordeaux

S YM B OL S

SY M B OL S

Lyre & Pearl

Ivy Leaf

FOUN DI NG VALUES

FOU N DING VALU ES

Wisdom, Devotion, Achievement

Sisterhood, Leadership, Service, Scholarship, Loyalty, Character

MOT T O

Development

"Together let us seek the heights."

PHI L A N T HROP Y Domestic Violence Awareness

MO TTO "Union hand in hand."

PH IL AN TH ROPY The Alpha Phi Foundation

ΑΧΩ

ΑΦ

Gamma Phi Beta " T O I N SPI RE THE HIGHEST TYPE OF WOMANHO OD "

Phi Mu

" TH E FAITH FU L SISTER S"

NAT IONA L FOUNDI NG

NATIONAL FOU N DING

November 11, 1874

March 4, 1852

Syracuse University

Wesleyan College

OCU C H A P T ER

O C U C H APTER

Beta Omicron

Epsilon Epsilon

Chartered in 1951

Chartered in 2013

C OL OR S

C OL OR S

Light & Dark Brown

Rose & White

S YM B OL S

SY M B OL S

Crescent Moon

Quatrefoil

FOUN DI NG VALUES

FOU N DING VALU ES

Love, Labor, Learning, Loyalty

Love, Honor, Truth

MOT T O

MO TTO

"To inspire the highest type of

"The faithful sisters."

womanhood."

PHI L A N T HROP Y

PH IL AN TH ROPY Children's Miracle Network

Building Strong Girls

ΓΦΒ

ΦΜ

Preference Night Round One Round Two W HAT TO

Here are some examples of what kind of attire you might see for each round of Recruitment! However, feel free to cater to what you feel comfortable in and what best reflects you. We will give you more examples on the OCU Recruitment 2015 Facebook page and at the Greek Information Meeting during Stars Week.

Bid Day

Frequently Asked Questions

ALUMNAE Members of a sorority who have graduated.

chapter, as well as the chapters

BID

change at any time.

An invitation to membership

IFC

BID DAY

umbrella organization for the

includes activities hosted by each chapter.

BIG SIS/SISTER The new member selects an active

Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is an informal recruitment process that takes place after fullystructured recruitment in the fall and lasts throughout the school year. Please keep in mind not all chapters can or will participate in Continuous Open Bidding. Please see more information about COB

interested in COB, she can still be eligible to accept a bid. However, please keep in mind there is no guarantee that any chapter will be eligible to participate in COB.

It depends. Please contact Levi

I am a performance major, will I have time to be able to be in a sorority and keep up with my classes and rehearsals?

Advisor, at 405.208.6287 to

Each woman needs to decide for herself how much she can manage with the time she has. However, it

in the “Greek Terms” section.

can be said that our sororities host

What if I decide I don’t want to participate in sorority recruitment? Can I still join a sorority?

major on campus and many also

If a woman decides to withdraw from recruitment, she must check out with the Panhellenic Recruitment Officer and the Panhellenic Advisor. If she is

I have a scheduling conflict during recruitment rounds, can I still participate?

members from every performance

J. Harrel, Panhellenic Council discuss how we can change your schedule so that you can still participate in Recruitment. Please note, failure to attend invited parties can affect the number of houses you are invited back to.

Is it better to sign up early or during Stars Week?

hold leadership positions within

The earlier your register for

their chapter. If this is something

Recruitment the better. This gives

that concerns you and you want to

the Greek Life office enough time

know more about it, don’t hesitate

to ensure that your payment has

to talk to your Rho Gamma who

been processed and secures that

can give you a clear picture of what

you will be able to get a T-shirt in

it looks like to be a performer and

the size you want.

a Greek woman on OCU’s campus.

participating in COB, is subject to

extended to a prospective member

The last day of recruitment that

What if I want to be in a sorority but I'm not interested in participating in formal recruitment?

The availability within each

member to serve as their Big Sister.

This initiated member serves as a

Interfraternity Council. The fraternities at Oklahoma City University.

NEW MEMBER A new member of a fraternity/

INITIATION

sorority aspiring to become an

A spiritually based ritual which

intiated member.

marks the acceptance of a lifetime commitment to the sorority.

PANHELLENIC COUNCIL The governing body of the

LEGACY

National Panhellenic Conference

solver for the new member.

Someone whose mother or sister

sororities at Oklahoma City

are members of a particular

University.

CHAPTER

Greek-letter organization.

resource, role model, and problem

The local group of undergraduate

PNM MEETING HOUSE

A potential new member. This is

Houses where individual sororities

someone who is considering being

the inter/national organization.

meet for their weekly meetings

a part of Greek life or participating

and other functions.

in recruitment.

CONTINUOUS OPEN BIDDING (COB)

MRABA

RECRUITMENT

An informal recruitment process

Membership Recruitment

The organized period for the

that takes place after fully-

Acceptance Binding Agreement.

recruitment of prospective

structured recruitment in the fall

It’s the document a potential new

new members. For Panhellenic

and lasts throughout the school

member signs to make her final

sororities, formal recruitment

year. Sororities may extend a bid

selections during recruitment. This

occurs during Orientation Week

to a potential new member at any

is a legal binding agreement and

each fall semester

time if the chapter is eligible for

details about this document can be

COB and chooses to participate.

found by clicking here.

students on a particular campus recognized by the university and

RHO GAMMA A Rho Gamma is a Recruitment Guide. She is a neutral sorority member who is available for guidance through the recruitment process.