SMU Panhellenic Recruitment Guidebook 2019

SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY

PANHELLENIC RECRUITMENT GUIDEBOOK 2019

PANHELLENIC RECRUITMENT CONTENTS GUIDEBOOK 2019

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Panhellenic Recruitment

Table of Contents

6

What is Panhellenic?

8-9

Meet Your Recruitment Team

10

Greek Terminology Glossary

11

Panhellenic Recruitment Events

12

Registration & Eligibility

13

Recruitment Myths

14

Membership Cost Estimates

15

PNM Bill of Rights & Contact Guidelines

16

Academics & Scholarship

17

Philanthropy & Service

18-19

Formal Recruitment Schedule

20-21

SMU’s Panhellenic Chapters

22

Map of Sorority Houses

23

Questions & Answers

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Welcome to Panhellenic

Welcome to Panhellenic Dear Potential New Member, Welcome to Panhellenic Recruitment at Southern Methodist University!

If you are interested in becoming involved in Panhellenic sorority life, we hope you will find a home in one of our eight chapters on campus. Sorority life offers many SMU undergraduate women a treasured place to call home. Greek life at SMU gives you the opportunity to form bonds with your sisters to create an even more enriching college experience.

Not only are sorority women involved within their chapter, but we also find that the Greek community fosters many opportunities to become involved in other campus activities. Sorority life at SMU gives young women the support, guidance, and friendships necessary to create a dynamic and posisitive undergraduate experience. Through the recruitment process, young women have the opportunity to find their home away from home -- a space where they will flourish as contributing members of the SMU student body.

This guide is intended to provide information about formal recruitment week as well as sorority life. In this you will find answers to commonly asked questions, insight into sorority life, and facts about our chapters. Recruitment is an exciting time, but can be overwhelming -- that is why we are here for you! We hope that this book will make the process easier.

We wish you the best of luck as you move closer to finding your letters at SMU. Remember, it is not just for four years, it’s for life.

Sincerely, SMU Panhellenic Executive Board

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Panhellenic Recruitment

2018 Panhellenic Executive Board

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Welcome to Panhellenic

What is Panhellenic?

The National Panhellenic Conference

Founded in 1902, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is the umbrella organization for 26 national women’s fraternities and sororities. Each member group in autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae. Members are represented on over 620 campuses in the United States & Canada and over 4,600 alumnae associations, making up over 3.6 million sorority women. In fact, the NPC is the largest women’s organization in the world!

The National Panhellenic Conference promotes the values of and serves as an advocate for its member groups in collaboration with those members, campuses, and communities.

SMU Panhellenic Council The SMU Panhellenic Council is the governing body over the eight NPC sororities on our campus. The Council is comprised of eight members of the Executive board, the Panhellenic chapter delegates from each chapter, and the eight chapter presidents. The Council’s responsibility is to bring together all eight chapters in the spirit of Greek unity, to enforce the NPC guidelines, and to oversee and regulate the recruitment process.

The 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.

As Panhellenic, We Believe, Fraternity is a social experience based on the fundamental right for a free people to form voluntary associations. It is one of the enrichments of college life. The young women who want a fraternity experience will find it possible to belong on most campuses today. Fraternity membership is a social experience arrived at by mutual choice and selection. Fraternity membership is by invitation.

Fraternities exist because they:

- Provide a good democratic social experience

- Give values beyond college years

- Create, through their ideals, an ever-widening circle of service beyond membership

- Develop the individual’s potential through leadership opportunities and group effort

Fraternities continue because:

- Parents appreciate fraternity values and standards and cooperate to make membership

possible

- College administrators, recognizing the value of fraternities, continue to welcome them

on their campuses and invite them to establish new chapters.

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Panhellenic Recruitment

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Welcome to Panhellenic

Meet Your Recruitment Team

What is Recruitment?

Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment is a mutual selection process between Potential New Members (PNMs) and active sorority women. Formal Recruitment is a series of events, coordinated by Panhellenic, that are designed to help Potential New Members and active sorority women get to know each other. It is an opportunity for PNMs to meet sorority members, ask questions, and learn more about our eight fantastic chapters at SMU. It is also a chance to define the financial obligations, time commitments, and membership requirements that a PNM would be taking on upon joining a sorority. Whether or not you decide to join a sorority, Recruitment is a great way to meet people and become acquainted with Greek life at SMU. The Panhellenic Executive Board is the governing body that links the eight chapters to the SMU Greek community. The eight members work year round with chapter leaders and the university to foster the best experience for every Panhellenic woman.

The Panhellenic Executive Board also works tirelessly during Recruitment week to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Don’t forget, all of the Panhellenic Executive women are always available to answer any of your questions.

Tara Richard Panhellenic President

Caroline Meekins Vice President

Lindsy Maglich VP External Recruitment

Makenzie James VP Internal Recruitment

Victoria Fennell VP Administration

Alexandra Dykeman VP Community Development

Nicole Martin VP Public Relations

Dylan Murphy VP Media

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Panhellenic Recruitment

The Rho Gamma Program

The Rho Gammas are sorority women who have disaffiliated (along with the Panhellenic Executive Board) from their chapters to serve as your guides during the entire Recruitment process.

Once you register for Recruitment in the fall, you will be assigned a Rho Gamma Group. Your Rho Gammas will be in contact with you throughout the fall semester. They will be there to answer all your questions and will remain impartial throughout the Recruitment process in order to help you through this exciting time.

Amanda Huber Gianna Rizzo Mary Winston Reames Ann Joullian Grace Southwick Maya Carlsen Anna Camille St. Amant Hallie Wilson Meg Sanford Anna Leigh Collier Hannah Hess Meredith McBee Brianna Ludwig Heather Culver Morgan Wilson Brooke Herigon Jordan Sullivan Presleigh Farrah Catherine Shelton Kailey Goerlitz Ryann Wagner Catherine Varner Katie Kuechler Sophie Cudd Courney Smith Laura Weske Stafford Rhangos Diana Wallace Libby Laughlin Sullivan Tankersley Ellie Reidy Lizzy Hartman Sydney Lyng Emily Beljak Maggie Barbour Whitney Wilkerson Gabrielle Tremonti Marissa Corry Jenna Buckley Gianna Cancellieri Marlo Weisberg How to Contact Panhellenic To contact SMU Panhellenic Council, visit the Student Activities Office located on the 3rd floor of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center in suite 314, email us at panhellenic @ smu . edu or call at (241) 768-4400

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Greek Terminology

Alumna/Alumnae: a female member that has graduated from college.

Badge: the pin that every member receives following Initiation.

Bid: a formal invitation to join a sorority.

Big Sister: an older member with whom you will be paired. She helps guide you through your new member period & your time as an active member.

Chapter: a local branch of a national organization, such as a fraternity or sorority.

Informal Recruitment: the informal recruitment process that allows select participating chapters to offer bids throughout the year.

Disaffliation: Panhellenic Executive Board members and Rho Gammas may not reveal their chapter affliation, remaining neutral at all times to PNMs. Beginning August 1st and ending on the last day of Formal Recruitment.

Hazing: an unproductive & hazardous custom that caused mental, physical, or emotional distress. It is no longer tolerated in sororities & fraternities, it is against the SMU Student Code of Conduct, and against the law in the state of Texas.

House: a place of residence.

Initiation: the formal ceremony that brings the new member into full membership.

Jersey: the colorful shirts displaying a chapter’s letters or name on the front.

Legacy: a potential member who is a child/sibling/grandchild of a member of a sorority.

Mutual Selection: the selection process during formal recruitment when PNMs choose the chapters they wish to return to each day & the chapters choose the PNMs they wish to have return to their events each day. **To ensure that you have the maximum amount of event invitations as possible each day, you may continue to receive invitations from chapters not on your preference list.

New Member: a member of a chapter prior to initiation.

Philanthropy: a charitable project or event that raises money for a particular cause or organization.

Potential New Member (PNM): a woman going through the recruitment process for sorority membership- That’s You! Quota: the number of women that a sorority may bid during formal recruitment.

Recruitment: the mutual selection process for membership consisting of functions acquainting initiated members & PNMs. “Rush” is so 1976.

Recommendations: letters written by Alumnae supporting a PNM for membership.

Rho Gamma: an active member that has disaffliated from her chapter to serve as an impartial counselor to PNMs during the recruitment process.

Strict Silence: the period of time that occurs during formal recruitment week where active sorority women may not communicate with PNMs outside of the scheduled recruitment events.

Total: the allowable chapter membership size—as determined by the Panhellenic Council including both new & initiated members. A chapter may exceed total only through formal recruitment process.

Panhellenic Recruitment

Panhellenic Recruitment Events *MANDATORY! All PNMs

are required to attend all three information seesions to be eligible to go through F ormal R ecruitment in J anuary .

All Greek Info Session Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 5:00pm Location: Hughes-Trigg Ballroom Registration Opens

Saturday, September 1, 2018 *First Mandatory PNM Information Session* Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 5:00pm Location: Hughes-Trigg Ballroom *Second Mandatory PNM Information Session*

Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 5:00pm Location: Hughes-Trigg Ballroom Registration Closes Thursday, November 1, 2018 Residence Halls Open Thrusday, Janurary 10, 2019

at

9:00am

*Mandatory PNM Orientation Meeting (Beginning Recruitment)*

Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 4:30pm Location: Hughes-Trigg Ballroom

of

Formal

Formal Recruitment Week: Open House Day - Monday, January 14, 2019

Philanthropy Day - Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Sisterhood Day - Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Preference & Bid Day - Thursday, January 17, 2019

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Registration and Eligibility Recruitment Eligibility At SMU, Formal Recruitment takes place each January. In order to be eligible, a PNM must:

- Successfully pass at least 12 hours with a 2.500 semester GPA* at SMU or another

university during the semester prior.

- Hold a 2.500 cumilative GPA or higher

- Not be on disciplinary probation or higher during any point in the previous semester

*Individual chapters may have higher GPA requirements

Registration Fees

The cost for registration is $75. It covers two recruitment shirts, snacks, the Rho Gamma program, and administrative costs during Formal Recruitment week. A portion of your fee will be donated to Circle of Sisterhood to help with their mission to help women around the world attend college. There will not be refunds for registration fees.

Recruitment Registration

Registration for Panhellenic Recruitment is available at www.smu.edu/studentactivities and www.smupanhellenic.com starting on September 1, 2018. The registration deadline is November 1, 2018. Recruitment registration is all online.

Once you have filled out the online registration form, you will be connected to www.greekbill.com, where you will pay your Recruitment fee by credit card or check. You are not eligible for Panhellenic Recruitment if you have not registered online through SMU. Recommendations

Recommendations are letters written by sorority alumnae supprting a PNM going through Panhellenic Recruitment. Recommendations are not required in order to go through Recruitment. If a chapter requires a recommendation on PNMs, it is ultimately the chapter’s responsibility to secure a recommendation.

PNMs who would like to secure their own recommendations may do so, but all recommendations must be sent directly to the chapter house. Any and all recommendations sent to SMU Panhellenic Council will be discarded and not forwarded. The SMU Panhellenic Office cannot help you secure recommendations or check to see if a chapter has recieved a recommendation for you. Please do not call the SMU Panhellenic or Student Activities with questions reguarding recommendations.

Panhellenic Recruitment

Recruitment Myths

Debunked

“Both my mother and grandmother were in the sorority I want, so I am guaranteed a bid from that sorority.”

FALSE! Begin a legacy to a sorority will not guaruntee you a bid from that chapter.

“If I know a sorority woman, her chapter is obligated to extend me a bid”

FALSE! Individual chapter members cannot determine who the chapter will extend bids to. Just because you know someone in a chapter does not mean that particular chapter is the right fit for you. That is the beauty of recruitment - you get to explore all of the options and find the best suited for your personality.

“If I don’t meet any sorority women the first semester, I have no chance of getting in a sorority.”

FALSE! That is what Formal Recruitment is for! You will have the chance to meet several sorority women in each chapter and they will get to know you. There is no need to worry if you haven’t met sorority women prior to Recruitment week. Panhellenic will also sponsor a few opportunities during the Fall semester for PNMs to meet active members.

“Some chapters on campus are just better than others.”

FALSE! Our campus has eight chapters for good reason. Each chapter is unique. There is no such thing as a “bad” or “good” sorority, so don’t listen to that - it could only hurt you in the end. Go in with an open mind!

“I should join a sorority for the t-ships, pins, and parties.”

FALSE! Women join sororities to build character, enhance the community through philanthropy, and make life long friends and connections. They do not join for the merchandise or to party.

“Sorority women are everywhere and watching my every move.”

FALSE! Relax and be yourself. There are no campus paparazzi.

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Membership Cost Estimates Welcome to Panhellenic

Below are the estimated costs for Panhellenic memberships 2018-2019. Each chapter has included all mandatory fees incurred by members on a semester basis. Sorority membership may include additional or optional costs such as sisterhood events, social events, member badges, merchandise, t-ships, etc.

New Member Fees

As a new member, you might incur a higher fee for your first semester. National organizations have one-time new member fees, and many organizations require that you purchase your chapter badge/pin during this time.

Room and Board

Room and Board for living in the chapter house is determined by each sorority.

Houses attempt to be with prices for alternative on-campus housing. Some chapters have optional meal plans for members who do not live in the house. Each chapter has their own process for determining who lives in the house.

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Panhellenic Recruitment

PNM Bill of Rights and Contact Guidelines

Each Potential New Member has:

The right to be treated as an individual.

The right to be fully informed about the recruitment process.

The right to ask questions and receive true, objective answers from Recruitment councelors and members.

The right to be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized.

The right to ask how and why and receive straight answers.

The right to have and express opinions to Recruitment councelors.

The right to have inviolable confidentiality when sharing information with Recruitment counselors.

The right to make informed choices without pressure from others.

The right to be fully informed about the binding agreements implicit in the preference card signing.

The right to make one’s own choice and decision and accept full responsibility for the results of that decision.

The right to have a positive, safe, and enriching recruitment and new member period.

Contact Guidelines Potential New Members should understand the rules to which our sorority women are held accountable. These guidelines are in place to ensure that out Potential New Members enjoy their first semester getting acclimated to college without extensive added pressure of sorority recruitment. The sorority women are responsible for being very aware of these guidelines. Please contact your Rho Gamma or a member of the Recruitment Team to report an infraction, or to inquire about the guidelines.

The following are guidelines that the chapter women must abide by.

- Sorority women and PNMs may not spend money on each other.

- A PNM may not visit or stay overnight in the off-campus residence of a Panhellenic woman or Panhellenic chapter house unless she is a sibling of a sorority woman.

- PNMs may not attend off-campus social events hosted by any Panhellenic chapters.

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Welcome to Panhellenic

Academics and Scholarship

February

The Scholar. A Scholarship Banquet is held to honor our members who achieve academic success . W e recognize P anhellenic women who have gone above and beyond in both class and around our campus . is

Panhellenic Month

Chapter Required Minimum GPA

of

Fall 2017 Academic Standings

Spring 2018 Academic Standings

Alpha Chi Omega

2.8

Delta Gamma

3.604

Delta Delta Delta

3.546

Chi Omega

2.8

Chi Omega

3.574

Chi Omega

3.541

Delta Delta Delta

2.8

Alpha Chi Omega

3.541

Delta Gamma

3.539

Delta Gamma

2.8

Gamma Phi Beta

3.525

Kappa Alpha Theta

3.528

Gamma Phi Beta

2.8

Kappa Alpha Theta

3.517

Alpha Chi Omega

3.512

Kappa Alpha Theta

2.8

Delta Delta Delta

3.507

Pi Beta Phi

3.492

Kappa Kappa Gamma

2.7

Kappa Kappa Gamma

3.506

Gamma Phi Beta

3.491

Pi Beta Phi

3.0

Pi Beta Phi

3.488

Kappa Kappa Gamma

3.480

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Panhellenic Recruitment

Philanthropy & Service

Giving to others through service and philanthropy is very important to the SMU Panhellenic community. Each chapter member is expected to perform at least 3 hours of service to the community and each chapter is dedicated to philanthropic activities . W e are always looking for ways to better our community !

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Welcome to Panhellenic

Formal Recruitment Schedule & Attire Sunday, January 13, 2019

Mandatory Orientation Meeting*

*You MUST be present at this meeting to be eligible and participate in Formal Recruitment.

Monday, January 14, 2019

Open House Day

On Open House Day, PNMs will visit all EIGHT (8) chapters at their house to meet and socialize with sorority women.

ATTIRE: Pick an SMU T-shirt of your choice with jeans and comfortable shoes.

You will be standing and walking a lot!

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Philanthropy Day

On Philanthropy Day, PNMs will visit up to SIX (6) chapters. Sororities will share their philanthropies through crafting activities, speakers, and videos.

ATTIRE: Wear your SMU Panhellenic Recruitment shirt provided by Panhellenic (THIS IS MANDATORY) with jeans or casual pants and comfortable shoes.

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Panhellenic Recruitment

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Sisterhood Day

On Sisterhood Day, PNMs will visit up to FOUR (4) chapters. The sororities will entertain PNMs with videos or presentations on their individual sisterhoods and highlight their chapter’s unique qualities.

ATTIRE: Dress is casual -- jeans and a nice top, blouse or sweater with flat shoes.

Thursday, January 17, 2019 (Morning)

Preference Day

On Preference Day, PNMs will visit up to TWO (2) chapters. This is a very special occasion in which the sororities will share intimate values and meanings of their sisterhoods and rituals.

ATTIRE: Evening attire; no long or sequined dresses. Think holiday or nice dinner. Remember to be appropriate nothing too short or any “club wear.”

Thursday, January 17, 2019 (Evening)

Bid Day

On Bid Day, PNMs will run to their new chapters and meet their new sisters!

Chapters have retreats planned for new members. Please prepare to stay overnight.

ATTIRE: Casual. Wear your longsleeve Panhellenic Recruitment shirt or any other white long-sleeve t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes (there will be running)!

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Panhellenic Chapters at SMU

Alpha Chi Omega National Website: www.alphachiomega.org Local Website: www.smuaxo.com Instagram: @smu_axo

Delta Delta Delta National Website: www.tridelta.org Local Website: www.trideltasmu.com Instagram: @smutridelta

Chi Omega National Website: www.chiomega.org Local Website: www.smuchiomega.com Instagram: @smuchio

Delta Gamma National Website: www.deltagamma.org Local Website: www.smudeltagamma.com Instagram: @smudeltagamma

Panhellenic Recruitment

Gamma Phi Beta National Website: www.gammaphibeta.org Local Website: www.smugammaphibeta.com Instagram: @smugammaphibeta

Kappa Alpha Theta National Website: www.kappaalphatheta.org Local Website: www.thetasmu.com Instagram: @smutheta

Pi Beta Phi National Website: www.pibetaphi.org Local Website: www.pibetaphi.org.smu Instagram: @smupibetaphi

Kappa Kappa Gamma National Website: www.kappakappagamma.org Local Website: www.smukappa.com Instagram: @kappakappainstagamma

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Map of Sorority Houses

Here is a map of SMU’s “Sorority Row” to help you navigate your way around the Panhellenic part of campus. You can use this map if you need it during Formal Recruitment Week!

1. Alpha Chi Omega 2. Chi Omega 3. Delta Delta Delta 4. Delta Gamma

5. Gamma Phi Beta 9. Panhellenic House 6. Kappa Alpha Theta 10. Panhellenic House 7. Kappa Kappa Gamma 8. Pi Beta Phi

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When do I get my Rho Gamma and how can they help me?

A. Your Rho Gamma is assigned to you when you register for Formal Recruitment and will contact you during the fall semester. They are there to support you through the process and answer any questions you have about Recruitment. Make sure to utilize them!

Q. Are there certain sororities that are better than others?

A. No! Each sorority is a perfect fit for its members. The most important part about Formal Recruitment is to go in with an open mind. Friends that you have before Recruitment week will still be your friends after, no matter what chapter you join.

Q. What if I already know which chapter I want to be a part of?

A. It is crutial that you keep an open mind throughout the recruitment process.

By keeping your options open, you increase your chances for a successful recruitment process.

Q. Once I join a sorority, will I have to go through hazing?

A. Absolutely not. SMU Panhellenic has a zero tolerance hazing policy. You will have a safe and fun experience as a new member. If hazing does occur against SMU’s policy, report it.

Q. What if a sorority woman contacts me during Recruitment by text or calls prior to Bid Day?

A. If you are concered or uncomfortable, contact your Rho Gamma and explain the situation.

Q. If I am a legacy, am I guaranteed a bid?

A. No, legacy policies differ from chapter to chapter, but no chapter guarantees a bid to a legacy. Also, remember that chapters change with their membership, and just because the sorority was the right fit for your family member doesn’t mean it will be the right fit for you.

Q. May I skip a sorority event if I do not want to attend?

A. No, if you choose to miss a party during Formal Recruitment Week, you will be removed from the entire Recruitment process. There are no exceptions!

Q. Can I withdraw from Recruitment?

A. Yes, you may. However, we encourage you to stay through the week. You will be surprised at how happy you are in the end. It sounds silly that everything happens the way it is supposed to, but it’s true! You will not know what the best fit for you is until you are in the chapter!

Q. Do I need to have recommendations to go through Recruitment?

A. No, recommendations are not required to participate in Recruitment. If you have them, send them to the chapter houses directly. Panhellenic does not handle recommendations, so please do not send any to our office.