2015 Recruitment Guide
YOUR GUIDE TO PANHELLENIC
Sorority Life At Texas A&M University
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Welcome..
to the time of your life! 3
Table of Contents 3 Welcome 4 Table of Contents 5 Dear Future Aggie Greeks‌ 6 The Collegiate Panhellenic Council 7 The National Panhellenic Conference 8 Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life 9 Rules, Rights & Anti-hazing 10 Why Join A Sorority 11 Frequently Asked Questions 12 Conflicting Dates and Registration 13 MRABA 14 Glossary of Terms 15 What to Expect & Legacy Info 16 Recruitment Schedule 17 What to Expect as a New Member 18 Recommendation Letters 19 Q & A 20 Tips & What to Bring 14 Dear Future Aggie Greeks‌ 21-24 Our Sororities 25-28 Notes Pages 29-33 Advertisements Back Cover | Map of Sorority Row
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Dear Future Aggie Greeks A letter from the Panhellenic President On behalf of the Texas A&M Panhellenic community, I would like to congratulate you on becoming an Aggie and welcome you to Sorority Recruitment! We are so excited that you are considering becoming a part of Fraternity & Sorority Life at Texas A&M University. We, the Texas A&M University Collegiate Panhellenic Council, are the governing and coordinating body of the 13 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities on campus. Our chapters represent almost 3,000 Aggie women. Members of the Greek community at Texas A&M embody the Aggie spirit and exemplify the core values of the University and the Panhellenic Council. Panhellenic women strive for, and value: academic excellence, campus involvement, leadership, philanthropic achievement, and sisterhood. Becoming a sorority woman gives Aggie women the opportunity to find their “home away from home.” Going Greek was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My sorority is my constant support system. I have learned the true meaning of sisterhood, leadership, and how to give back. Most importantly I have learned how to be the best version of myself. If you decide to go Greek, you will be a part of the Aggie Panhellenic sisterhood and the Aggie tradition of excellence for the rest of your life! Gig ‘Em!
A letter from the Panhellenic VP of Recruitment
Maddison Malone
I am excited that you have decided to participate in Sorority recruitment! This is a wonderful way to start your own college experience, by meeting tons of new women and building connections that will last for a lifetime. You will go through a structured series of parties exposing you to each of our wonderful 13 sororities at Texas A&M, that will ultimately lead you to one, that we hope you call home. Remember to always have an open mind, throughout recruitment. The process may seem daunting, but please keep in mind that this week is all about having fun and about being you. Don’t forget what your values are and who you are. Relax and let your personality really shine this week. It is important to develop your own opinions and make decisions that fit you-not what others are telling you to do. This week will be tiring, exhausting, and very emotional but remember that you will end up where you are destined to be! By the end of the week, I hope that you have enjoyed your recruitment process, made new friends, and found your home-away-fromhome in Greek Life. You aren’t just joining a sisterhood, you’re joining the Greek Community. Go Greek!
Heather McCann A letter from the Panhellenic VP of Public Relations I have had the pleasure of producing this guide for you with the hope that I could give you a glimpse into what life is like as a Texas A&M sorority woman. I hope that this guide has thoroughly outlined the Recruitment process, but if you are looking for more information please visit our website at cpc.tamu.edu. If you are still on the fence after reading this guide, I encourage you to participate in Recruitment. Worst case: you decide it’s not for you. Best case: you find an amazing group of women who will inspire you and continue to inspire you every day. Good Luck and Have Fun!
Maddie Meekins 5
The Collegiate Panhellenic Council The Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC) is the coordinating body of the thirteen National Panhellenic Conference sororities represented at Texas A&M University. The council is comprised of a nine member Executive Board, along with one delegate and one alternate delegate from each member group. Panhellenic provides support and services to sororities as well as represents sorority life to the University and Bryan/College Station community.
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 activity. 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.
Meet our Panhellenic Delegates and Chapter Presidents. Two delegates from each chapter will be standing outside of their respective house during Recruitment. They are not Rho Gammas and therefore do not disaffiliate from their chapter for Work Week nor Recruitment week. They will make sure all PNMs are in the correct alphabetical order when you walk into the houses. Delegates act as representatives of their sorority to the Collegiate Panhellenic Council. Also, below is the 2015 CPC Executive Board.
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The National Panhellenic Conference The National Panhellenic Conference is the premier advocacy and support organization for the advancement of the sorority experience. The National Panhellenic Conference provides support and guidance for its 26 member inter/national sororities/women’s fraternities and serves as the national voice on contemporary issues of sorority life. Founded in 1902, NPC is one of the oldest and largest women’s membership organizations representing more than 4 million women at 655 college/university campuses and 4,500 local alumnae chapters in the U.S. and Canada. Each year, NPC-affiliated collegians and alumnae donate more than $5 million to worthy causes, provide $2.8 million in scholarships to women and volunteer 500,000 hours in their communities.
Beliefs of the National Panhellenic Conference fraternity Fraternity is a social experience based on the fundamental right of a free people to form voluntary associations. It is one of the enrichments of college life.
Mutual choice The young woman who wants 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 value beyond college years. Create, through their ideals, an ever-widening circle of service beyond the membership. Develop the individual's potential through leadership opportunities and group effort. Fill the need of belonging.
Fraternities continue because.. Young women feel a continuing need to belong. Parents appreciate fraternity values and standards and cooperate to make membership possible. College administrations, recognizing the values of fraternities, continue to welcome them on their campuses and to invite them to establish new chapters. For more information on the National Panhellenic Conference, please visit npcwomen.org.
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Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life’s mission is to build an inclusive fraternity and sorority community and enhance the collegiate experience by supporting opportunities for leadership, academic success, civic engagement and the creation of fraternal bonds. The office’s purpose is to serve as a liaison among the collegiate chapters, parents, alumni, international organizations, and Texas A&M University to provide organizational guidance, educational programs, and resources while challenging members to live their fraternal values. The goal of the office is to have a pre-eminent fraternity and sorority community that promotes leadership development, service to others, academic excellence and uniquely captures the Aggie Spirit and exemplifies the core values of Texas A&M University. During recruitment, the Panhellenic Advisor will send family members daily emails with helpful tips and information. It is important to remember that the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life has no authority regarding which potential new members receive invitations or final bids during recruitment. The office supports the organizations’ rights to private membership and freedom of association. Also please remember the Collegiate Panhellenic Council is not your only choice when it comes to joining a sorority. Our community consists of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council which also have sororities. We look forward to supporting you during your time at Texas A&M. Please see our website, stuact.tamu.edu, for more information on our Aggie Fraternity and Sorority community!
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Recruitment Information Recruitment Rules & Policies
If a Potential New Member is disrespectful to any member of any sorority, any member of the Panhellenic Council, Recruitment Team, or Rho Gammas, or any other Recruitment personnel, the PNM will be asked to leave Recruitment immediately, without refund of the registration fee or an invitation to join a sorority. Thousands of people have worked very hard for months to make this week enjoyable for PNMs, and rudeness will not be tolerated. No disparaging remarks may be made by a sorority member about another sorority or its members. Attempts may not be made to evaluate or rank another sorority. This includes any discussion of sorority invitations. No sorority member is qualified to tell a PNM about any sorority other than her own. A separate quota shall be utilized for upperclassmen. An upperclassman is defined as a PNM with over 30 college credit hours. All potential new members who list all available preferences on their preference card will be matched during regular bid matching or as quota additions. Potential new members who do not list all available preferences and who do not match during regular bid matching are not eligible to be a quota addition. Silence is established so that each potential new member may decide for herself which group she wishes to join. Seven days prior to Formal Recruitment until after bids are picked up it is a violation for there to be any communication outside of Formal Recruitment events between potential new members and chapters members, new members, alumnae and agents of a sorority, or any other mediator between a potential new member and an affiliate sorority, except those permitted by Panhellenic. Examples of prohibited contact also include: Instagram liking/following, Twitter retweeting/favoriting/following, Facebook friend requests, Facebook likes, etc. Oral bids, promises of pledging, and speaking of indefinite or definite future meetings are prohibited during summer and Formal Recruitment. No sorority member, new member, alumna, or agent may advise any potential member or individual of chapter intent. Some examples are: “I want you for my little sister,” “See you tomorrow,” “I will save this for you until Bid Day,” “We love you!” Expressions of welcome are not considered oral bids: “We’re glad you’re back,” “It’s nice to see you again,” “I’m glad you’re here.” Alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited in membership recruitment and bid day activities and any activities involving alcohol until 24 hours after bids are distributed are prohibited. Men shall be prohibited from participation in membership recruitment activities and bid day activities. Sorority members may not inquire about a potential new member’s other event choices. A potential member must attend the maximum number of available Formal Recruitment parties for which she has received invitations. If a potential member does not do this, she will be withdrawn from Recruitment.
Potential New Member Bill of Rights Every potential new member has the right to:
Be treated as an individual Be fully informed about the Recruitment process Ask questions and receive true and objective answers from Rho Gammas 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 Rho Gammas
Make one’s own decisions and accept full responsibility for the results of that decision
Expect confidentiality when sharing information with Rho Gammas Make informed choices without undue pressure from others Be fully informed about the binding agreements, implicit and explicit, in the preference card signing
Have a positive, safe and enriching Recruitment and new member experience
Anti Hazing Statement A sorority member, who believes in true sisterhood and the ideals embraced by their fraternity or sorority ritual, could not possibly haze a pledge or associate member or sister. Every national sorority represented by a chapter on the Texas A&M University campus has denounced and forbade hazing. The State of Texas has enacted legislation which makes hazing a criminal offense. Texas A&M University is unconditionally opposed to any situation created to produce mental and/or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. As such, Aggie Sorority Women are expected to uphold the principles and ideals of their sorority rituals, respect federal, state and local laws and abide by Texas A&M University Student Rules regarding participation in activities that could be interpreted as hazing. Aggie sorority members are also expected to immediately report any such activity of which you become aware to your advisor, the University Police, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, or Offices of the Dean of Student Life (anonymously if necessary). Your failure to report an act of hazing is, in effect, giving tacit approval of an activity that is not in line with your sorority ideals and values nor that of the Aggie Code of Honor.
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Why Join A Sorority? “Being in a sorority has allowed me to become the very best version of myself and has given me people who uplift me every day.”
Leadership, Scholarship, Sisterhood, Service Professionalism
Women from Texas A&M sororities gained entrance to many post-bachelor’s degree education programs, including: Hardin-Simmons Physical Therapy School, Texas A&M Professional Program in Accounting, Texas A&M Master’s in Science of Marketing Program, Texas A&M Trading, Risk, and Investments Program, Occupational Therapy school, Pepperdine Law School, University of Texas Law School, University of Texas Medical School, Texas A&M Bush School for Master’s in Non Profit, Veterinarian school, and many more. Women have interned and gone to work full time for companies such as: Disney, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Kenneth Cole, The Boston Consulting Group, Alvarez & Marsal, and other companies.
Leadership
Every sorority encourages their members to be involved in organizations outside of Greek Life. Members of sororities are leaders among on campus organizations, such as The Big Event, Fish Camp, Impact, CARPOOL, Freshman Leadership Organizations, and more. They also compete for our school on NCAA and club sports teams and get involved off-campus in the Bryan/College Station community as well.
Scholarship
Even though we have plenty of fun, we take our academics very seriously. We sit together in class, hold study hours and academic seminars. In addition to these, members of Greek organizations can apply to be in Texas A&M’s chapter of the national honor society, Order of Omega, that recognizes leaders in the Greek community for their outstanding scholastic achievements and contributions to the University.
The All-Sorority Women’s GPA is consistently ABOVE the University All-Women’s GPA. Last semester, ours was a 3.287 versus the 3.068 Women’s University average. Sisterhood
Sisterhood is one of the most important aspects of a sorority. Whatever sisterhood may mean to you, you will find it in our sororities. Your sisters will become your home away from home and will be your biggest support system throughout college. Beyond your four years at Texas A&M, alumnae chapters exist to introduce you to other members of your sorority. Wherever life takes you, there will be a group of women who share similar values and experiences waiting to greet you.
Service
One thing makes every sorority at Texas A&M similar: our love of giving and hearts for others. Almost every sorority at Texas A&M has not only a national philanthropy, but a local philanthropy that their chapter supports individually as well. We spend hours and hours giving time as mentors and volunteers to various charitable organizations, and last year we were able to donate roughly $500,000 from our philanthropy events to these charities. Our events include anything from a dance competition, to a 5K run, to a paintball tournament. Students from all over campus participate in these fun events to serve others.
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Frequently Asked Questions Will I have to live in the sorority house?
Most sororities give members a chance to live in the house for at least one year. With the growing number of women in Texas A&M sororities and the stagnant number of beds in each house, living in the sorority houses is typically no longer mandatory. However, every sorority has a different policy regarding living in the house so you should be sure to ask about it during Recruitment. The cost of living in the house is comparable, if not cheaper, than living on or near campus and also includes a meal plan.
How much do sororities cost? Dues vary based on individual chapters. Here is a list of the average cost per year: Average New Member: $2,383.00 Average In-House: $7,650.00 Average Out of House: $2,008.00
What about the rumors I’ve heard?
The movies and television shows that include Greek life often portray it as being a bunch of snobby sorority women who pretend to do community service and embarrass themselves on the weekends. Sorority life in reality, at least at Texas A&M, is nothing like the stereotypes. Our sororities are filled with intelligent, caring, driven passionate young women who genuinely care about each other. If you are afraid that sororities will be the superficial groups you’ve heard about, come up for a visit so that we can show you where our hearts truly lie.
Is it possible to join a sorority and still be involved in other organizations? Yes! Most sororities encourage and even require their members to be involved in at least one other organization, whether it be on or off campus. At Texas A&M, there are hundreds of other organizations to join and while your sorority expects you to uphold your commitment to them, they cherish the diversity you bring to the table and want you to continue to participate in the activities that make you who you are. Furthermore, when you come to college, you have so much more free time than you did in high school, so there’s more time for co-curricular activities.
If I am a legacy to a sorority, is there anything I should know?
Sororities want to know who their legacies are, so please indicate that you are a legacy when you are registering for Recruitment on our website. With regard to legacies, Panhellenic does not have any specific policies. Each sorority has its own policy regarding legacies and it is up to the discretion of each individual chapter as to whether they are interested in offering membership to a legacy. Likewise, legacies are not obligated to pledge the chapter to which they are a legacy. Each Potential New Member is evaluated on an individual basis and sororities are more likely to consider mutual compatibility rather than a familial connection.
If I participate in Formal Recruitment, am I obligated to join a sorority?
No. If you participate in Recruitment and decide at the end of the week that joining a sorority is not for you, you are not obligated to accept a bid or join a sorority. In the past, women have arrived on Thursday or Friday during Recruitment week to discover that they were not invited back to the house that they had been pining for (whether it be their mother’s chapter, their best friend’s, or the one with the colors that bring out their eyes, etc.) and decided to leave immediately. We highly recommend that you keep an open mind when coming through Recruitment and trust that whatever is meant to happen will happen. We have 13 outstanding NPC sororities on this campus that are all unique and special. Joining any one of these groups would mean seizing an incredible opportunity to serve, lead, and excel.
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Recruitment Information Conflicting Dates Recruitment events occur August 23rd through 29th and cannot be missed. This year, the last Freshman New Student Conference occurs during recruitment (August 24-25), so please schedule an earlier conference. We do not excuse you to participate in New Student Conference. Academic conflicts such as scholarship orientations, academic meetings, etc are the only excused absences during recruitment. Please contact our Vice President of Recruitment if you have any conflicts.
Early Move In The University scheduled move-in day is August 23rd. Because Panhellenic holds a mandatory check-in and convocation on this date, you can apply on the TAMU housing website to move in a day early, on Saturday the 22nd, to an on-campus residence. For those of you who are living off-campus next year, you will have to check with your housing service or landlord for your move-in arrangements.
When and How to Register Early Registration Early Registration is May 1st through July 15th. The fee is $100 for Regular Registration. This covers the cost of your t-shirt for Go Greek round, transportation to and from the row, any food provided, etc.
Regular Registration Regular Registration is July 16th through August 7th. The fee is $130 for Late Registration.
Last Chance Registration Last Chance Registration is August 8th through August 14th. The fee is $230 for Last Chance Registration. All registration can be done on our website, cpc.tamu.edu. All registration ends Friday August 14th at 11:59pm. Women MUST register on cpc.tamu.edu to go through Formal Fall Recruitment at Texas A&M. Registering with your local area alumnae Panhellenic does NOT register you for Texas A&M Recruitment. We ask that you register as soon as possible after your graduation. Please email your final transcript to cpcregistrars@gmail.com.
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Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement Below is the form you will sign after attending your last party on Preference Evening... Texas A&M Collegiate Panhellenic Council Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement Name _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Last First Middle UIN # _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Local Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number (__________)_____________________________________________________ I have participated in the membership recruitment period at Texas A&M University. By signing this Acceptance Agreement, I understand and agree to the following terms: 1. I am willing to accept an invitation to membership from any sorority that I list on this agreement. 2. I may limit my choices to just one or list any sorority’s preference round event that I attended from which I am willing to accept membership. I realize that by not listing the maximum number of events I attended, I may be limiting my potential to join any other NPC group during Formal Recruitment should I not be placed with my choices. 3. I cannot change the order of preference nor add or delete a preference once this Agreement has been submitted to the Collegiate Panhellenic Council at Texas A&M. 4. If I do not receive an invitation to membership from a group that I have listed, I am eligible for continuous open bidding. 5. I have the option of not submitting an agreement at this time. 6. Once I sign this agreement, I am bound by the National Panhellenic e Unanimous Agreements, which state that if I receive an invitation to membership from a group that I have listed and then do not accept it, I am ineligible to be pledged until the beginning of the next primary membership recruitment period on the same campus. I agree to the terms stated above and I am willing to accept an invitation to membership from any of the following sororities whose preference event I attended (listed in order of preference): 1st Preference ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 2nd Preference _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 3rd Preference _____________________________________________________________________________________________ I have completed my final preference card exactly as I have listed above. Signature ____________________________________________________________ Date _________________________________
Explanation of the mraba
The document above is the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement, formerly known as the “Preference Card.” The MRABA is a binding agreement that is effective for one calendar year. By signing this document as a Potential New Member after attending the parties on Preference Evening, you agree that you are willing to accept a bid from any of the (maximum of 3) sororities that you rank on your MRABA. Please note that if you receive an invitation for membership (bid) from any of the sororities that you rank on your MRABA, you are bound to that group for one calendar year (August 2015-2016), which means that should you choose not to accept that bid, you are ineligible for Continuous Open Bidding during Fall 2015 and Spring 2016. After the end of your parties on Preference Evening, whether you attend the maximum of three or just one, you will board the bus to return to the Student Computing Center on campus to do your final preference selection (ranking the sororities in preferential order). A copy of the MRABA will be given to you after that, on which you will write down the order of chapters that you put into the computer system and then sign. 13
Glossary of Terms It’s all
Greek to me
PNM Or Potential New Member. A person who is interested in joining an NPC sorority and will participate in Recruitment. Formerly called “rushees” by sororities. CPC The governing and coordinating body over the 13 NPC sororities. IFC Interfraternity Council. The governing body over the NIC fraternities at Texas A&M. NPHC National Pan-Hellenic Council. The governing body over the traditionally African-American fraternities and sororities at Texas A&M MGC Multicultural Greek Council. The governing body over the traditionally Asian and Latino fraternities and sororities at Texas A&M. Active An initiated collegiate member of a chapter. Continuous Open Bidding After the process of Formal Recruitment, if a sorority did not meet quota with the number of invitations for membership they extend, they are eligible to give out a bid at any time during the year to a woman who they would like to become a member. Bid A formal invitation for membership, given out at the end of Formal Recruitment week by one chapter to a PNM. Chapter A branch of a national sorority, established at a campus. Each will have their own name, usually designated by Greek letters, for example: Kappa Kappa Gamma, Epsilon Rho chapter. Alumna/Alumnus A member of a sorority or fraternity who has already graduated. Initiation The secret ritual ceremony that a new member undergoes to become an active, official member of her chapter. Initiation should traditionally not include any form of hazing and any instances of hazing should be immediately reported to CPC and the University. Preference After the end of all events for each round of Recruitment, every PNM will board the bus and go to the on-campus Student Computing Center to rank the chapters she visited that day in preferential order. This decision process is called “Preferencing” or “Preffing” and will take place after the Go Greek, Philanthropy, Sisterhood, and Preference Evening rounds. New Member A woman who has accepted her bid to join a sorority. Formerly called “pledges”. Maximizing Your Options The National Panhellenic Conference has a policy which states that every PNM who attends one or more events on Preference Evening will receive a bid from a chapter at the end of the process as long as she “maximizes her options”. This means the PNM submits the maximum number of chapters from which she wishes to receive a bid. Quota The total number of new members each sorority is allowed to offer membership to at the end of Recruitment week. Single Intentional Preference This is the situation in which a PNM submits only one chapter that she would like to return to, rather than the maximum number she is able to list. In a situation in which a PNM is invited to more than one party on a given round, but only decides she would like to Preference one chapter, she may not be guaranteed a bid at the end of the week. There is no benefit to Single Intentional Preferencing and it is highly discouraged. Silence The period of no contact between PNMs and active members during the week of Recruitment and the week before Recruitment starts. Dirty Rushing Any attempt to convince a PNM to join a sorority that conflicts with any Recruitment rules. This includes talking/contact during the Silence period, promises of pledging, gift giving, organized PNM-active hometown events, contact during the summer, etc.
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Recruitment Information What to Expect During Recruitment
Go Greek Round PNMs will visit all 12 chapters per day and learn about the benefits of Going Greek, as well as general facts about each chapter. Philanthropy Round PNMs will visit a maximum 9 chapters and learn about their philanthropies. Usually the chapter will have a presentation or craft that day. Sisterhood Round PNMs will visit a maximum of 6 chapters on Thursday and will see a skit in each house, as well as have an opportunity to meet and talk to more members of the chapter. Preference Round PNMs will visit a maximum of 3 chapters and each will have a more serious event planned. By this day you should have formed bonds with members in the chapter and your conversations should be much deeper than on other days. Bid Day PNMs will receive their bids and be transported to Sorority Row to spend the evening with their new sisters.
How does the Selection Process work? A Mutual Selection Process Sorority Recruitment is a mutual selection process. This means that while you are deciding which chapter is right for you, the chapters are deciding which PNMs are right for them. At the end of the four rounds of Recruitment, you will board the bus to head to campus for Preferencing, and meanwhile the chapters will be voting on which women they would like to invite back. Usually, most sororities have specific criteria they are targeting that year (for example, high GPA, extracurricular involvement, etc.) and these are their deciding factors at the beginning of the week. During Sisterhood and Preference Evening, the sororities will decide which PNM they have had the best connection and conversations with during the entire week. Any sorority who has invited you back to their Preference round is more than interested in you and would cherish you as a member of their organization. Likewise, any sorority that you have on your Preference Card should be an organization to which you feel you could belong. The Panhellenic Council members and advisor have absolutely no ability to affect the invitations offered by chapters.
What do I do in case of an emergency?
In the event of an emergency during Recruitment week, please contact your Rho Gammas by phone ASAP. They will provide you with their phone numbers at Convocation.
What counts as a Legacy? Alpha Chi Omega
Kappa Alpha Theta
Sister, mother, grandmother
Alpha Delta Pi
Sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother
Sister, mother, grandmother
Kappa Delta
Chi Omega Sister, mother
Sister, mother, grandmother, step-sister, step-mother
Delta Delta Delta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Sister, mother, step-sister, step-mother
Sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother
Delta Gamma
Pi Beta Phi
Sister, mother, grandmother, step-sister, step-mother
Sister, mother, grandmother
Zeta Tau Alpha
Delta Zeta
Sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother
Sister, mother, grandmother
Gamma Phi Beta Sister, mother, grandmother, step-sister, step-mother
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Recruitment Schedule Fall 2015 Recruitment begins on Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 and ends on Saturday, August 29th, 2015.
Convocation – Sunday, August 23rd
Convocation is a mandatory orientation for Recruitment. Women will receive their Go Greek t-shirt, meet their Rho Gamma Group, and learn about the week that is before them. This will occur in the morning. Only women registered for recruitment should attend this program. We do not have space to accommodate parents and guests. After convocation, women will be released to get dressed and have lunch, they will then return to campus to be bussed to Sorority Row to begin the recruitment process.
Day #1 and #2, Go Greek! - Sunday, August 23rd and Monday, August 24th
10-11 events each day, each visit 20 minutes in length, 15 minute breaks. Women will visit 6 chapters per day, Attire: Cute shorts or a skirt with the T-shirt you receive at Convocation, with comfortable shoes. The T-shirt will be white. No altering of the shirt is allowed.
Day #3 and #4, Philanthropy Round - Tuesday, August 25th and Wednesday, August 26th 4-5 events each day, each visit 35 minutes in length, 15 minute breaks Attire: Casual sundress or a skirt and top, with flats or sandals. You will be doing a lot of walking these days, so wedges are not recommended.
Day #5, Sisterhood Showcase/Skit Round - Thursday, August 27th 6 events, each 45 minutes in length, 20 minute breaks Attire: Dress nicer than a sundress with wedges or heels.
Day #6, Preference Round – Friday, August 28th 3 events, each 50 minutes in length, 20 minute breaks Attire: Cocktail dress with heels and nice jewelry.
All clothing, shoes, and jewelry, modeled on this page by members of the Collegiate Panhellenic Council, were generously provided by Sabi Boutique. Located on Holleman Drive, College Station.
Day #7, Bid Day – Saturday, August 29th
Women will receive invitations to membership, and will be bussed to Sorority Row to spend the day at the chapter houses. Attire: Wear whatever you are comfortable in. Once you arrive at the sorority house, you will be given a Bid Day T-shirt to change into inside the house. There will be lots of pictures taken today, so you’ll want to look your best!
Go Greek
Philanthropy
Sisterhood/Skit
Pref Night 16
What to Expect as a New Member Study Hall Hours
Each chapter requires a certain academic standard to be fulfilled by members and new members, and many have mandatory study hours to be completed each week during your first semester.
Panhellenic Events Panhellenic requires new members to attend various seminars and events throughout the semester. At the end of the Spring, we host Progressing Panhellenic, a program during which we recognize and award chapters and members for outstanding contributions to Greek Life and Texas A&M.
Philanthropy Events Each chapter enjoys serving its national and local philanthropy. Every year, chapters host at least one philanthropy event each to raise money to donate to their charitable organizations. All active and new members are usually required to participate in some capacity during this event.
Active Participation As a new member, you will be required to attend weekly Monday night meetings. You will also be encouraged to participate in new member events such as mixers, sisterhood bonding events, pledge class dinners, etc. Each new member experience varies. The amount and quality of the time you spend getting to know your new sisters will define the relationships you form with them.
New Member Education As a new member of a sorority, you will have a New Member Education period before your membership initiation ceremony. This period of education is designed to acclimate you with your new sorority sisters, as well as the history and traditions of your sorority.
Recruitment Events
In the Spring, chapters hold recruitment workshops to prepare for the upcoming Fall Recruitment. You will usually be required to participate in more of these as you have not had any recruitment experience in the past. These are typically fun and usually only last for a couple of hours a few times during the Spring semester. During the Fall, you will be required to attend Work Week and Recruitment for the two weeks prior to school starting.
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Recommendation Letters Letters of recommendation can be written on your behalf by any alumnae member of a sorority, no matter which university they attended. These letters provide chapters with more information about you and are seen as endorsements by the women writing them. Recommendation letters are very helpful in the Recruitment process as they allow chapter members to get an impression of your personality before Recruitment event begins. If you choose to obtain letters of recommendation, here are some things to make sure you do:
Ask Early
Give the women writing your recommendations plenty of time to get them submitted, to either their local alumnae organization or to the chapter Recruitment Chairs. Include Your Information To write a letter of recommendation on your behalf, an alumna of a sorority will need a copy of your social resume (everything you did in High School), your transcript, your SAT/ACT scores, and a picture. These will all eventually be passed on to the chapter at Texas A&M. The picture will help the chapters learn what you look like, so they are able to easily recognize you during Recruitment. A senior portrait is perfect for this purpose. Investigate You might be surprised who is an alumna of a sorority that you don’t know about. Ask your teachers, mother’s friends, women you babysit for, and any other women you know if they were in one of our thirteen NPC sororities to obtain letters from them. If you aren’t able to find an alum of a certain sorority, your local Panhellenic can help you get in touch with women in your hometown who would love to have coffee with you to get to know you so they can write you a letter. We have many links to local Alumnae Panhellenic websites on cpc.tamu.edu under the Recruitment tab. Say Thank You The women who will send in your recommendations will have spent hours of their free time crafting a beautiful introduction of you to the sorority. They deserve to be recognized, and a personalized letter of thanks if just the way to do it. Less Is Not More Letters of support are recognized by chapters as an addition to your primary recommendation letter. If you have more than one alumnae connection to a sorority, feel free to reach out to both for a recommendation. Have the one who knows you more personally write your primary recommendation letter and the one who knows you less personally write your secondary/support letter. Each woman you ask will need a copy of your resume, transcript, SAT/ACT scores, and portrait.
Addresses Alpha Chi Omega ATTN: Catherine Himberger 1505 Olympia Way College Station, TX 77840
Delta Gamma ATTN: Allison Brown 1120 University Oaks Blvd College Station, TX 77840
Alpha Delta Pi ATTN: Katie Metzger 1500 Athens Dr. College Station, TX 77840
Delta Zeta ATTN: Katy Johnson 1501 Olympia Way College Station, TX 77840
Chi Omega ATTN: Amy Gray 1501 Athens Drive College Station, TX 77840
Gamma Phi Beta ATTN: Lisa Spieldenner 3018 W. Steepbank Circle Sugarland, TX 77479
Delta Delta Delta ATTN: Kelly Rynd 1503 Olympia Way College Station, TX 77840
Kappa Alpha Theta ATTN: Maggie Steed 1P.O. Box 11889 College Station, TX 77842
Kappa Delta ATTN: Kiona Millican 1010 University Oaks Dr. College Station, TX 77840 Kappa Kappa Gamma ATTN: Ashton Almond 1502 Athens Drive College Station, TX 77840 Pi Beta Phi ATTN: Lauren Mathews 1601 Munson Avenue College Station, TX 77840 Zeta Tau Alpha ATTN: Kayla Linskie 1403 Athens Drive College Station, TX 77840
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Recruitment Information Do I have to go to all of the recruitment events on my party list? Yes! The objective of Recruitment is for you as a Potential New Member to learn as much as you can about the Texas A&M Greek community as well as each of the chapters, so that you can make the best possible decision regarding membership. If you are on an NCAA sports team or have some other prior commitment, such as a class at Blinn College or a mandatory orientation for your major/college, please contact the CPC VP of Recruitment at tamurecruitment@gmail.com so we can try to accommodate you!
Will all participants pledge a sorority at the end of recruitment? As long as you maximize your options on Pref Night, you are guaranteed a bid to one of the sororities whose parties you attended that night. If you Single Intentional Preference (meaning, if you only list one chapter on your MRABA) you are not guaranteed a bid. There is absolutely zero benefit to Single Intentional Preferencing and it is highly discouraged. Furthermore, chapters never see which sororities a PNM prefs, so they will never know how you rank them.
What if I am not a freshman and want to participate in recruitment? A Potential New Member who has 30 college credit hours or more is considered an upperclassman. Texas A&M utilizes an upperclassman/secondary quota in addition to an underclassman/primary quota. This dual-quota system gives all women participating in Recruitment an equal opportunity to pledge, regardless of their year in school.
What if I only want to be in A certain sorority? Only wanting to be a member of one specific sorority or only considering a few sororities can severely limit your options for membership and can lead to disappointment, whether it be during Recruitment week or after accepting a bid. Please don’t choose a sorority based on stereotypes or other people’s opinions. If you follow your heart and truly keep an open mind, you will end up in the right place for you.
If I really like a sorority, should I tell them I do? Yes! It won’t seem weird if you gush to a woman in the house that you love, telling her that you’re dying to be there on Bid Day! When sororities choose who to invite back the next day, they take into account which PNMs really seemed interested in them and as if they were clearly enjoying themselves in the house. If you like a sorority, tell them! They are more likely to take a PNM who clearly loves them than one who seems nonchalant or uninterested.
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Recruitment Information Tips from Panhellenic Don’t believe all the rumors you hear. If it sounds too absurd to be true, it probably isn’t true. Feel free to talk to your Rho Gammas about any concerns you have. Be careful what you say about sororities to those around you before and during Recruitment. You should always be respectful of other’s right to choose the place that feels right for them, and their opinion should not have to be affected by yours. It’s August in Texas. Trust us, it will be HOT! Choose light-weight dresses and be sure to wear sunscreen– bright red shoulders won’t look so cute with your fancy cocktail dress on pref night. Also, it’s OK to sweat! Everyone will understand, they’ve been in your shoes before! You won’t be allowed to carry anything with you into the houses (the Rho Gammas will stand outside to watch your bags) so leave your nice purse at home. Instead, bring a durable, light-weight tote bag to carry your necessities from house to house. It’s OK to make your own decision! Throughout the week, you may have friends and even close family members pushing you in one direction when you feel pulled in another. Keep in mind that YOU are the one joining a sorority and YOU know where you will be happiest, despite what a friend or stereotype says. Bring Febreze or some other good-smelling spray for your t-shirt after the first say of the Go Greek round. You will probably sweat and you’ll want to have something to help freshen up your shirt for Tuesday. Before you go into each house, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that everything will work out how it is meant to. The right women will see you for who you truly are and love every bit of it. Just be comfortable in your own skin, and you will be sure to shine!
In Her Bag
Necessities for Recruitment week Water
Panhellenic will provide you with a water bottle for the week. Remember to bring it every day, because it gets hot. Water will be provided outside of each house. Be sure to stay hydrated. Snacks Panhellenic does not provide food. Please bring snacks. Your Rho Gammas will let you know what day we will be providing lunch for you, but on the other days you’ll need to pack some healthy snacks to sustain your energy for a long day of conversations. A brush, bobby pins, & hair ties To keep your hair looking great during the day. Make up & mirror For touch ups between parties. An umbrella Just in case a surprise summer shower hits! It happened last year and the year before! This booklet & a pen If you forget to bring your Recruitment Guide along, we will have more copies to pass out. Use the pages in the back to take notes between parties so you’re able to remember which chapters you enjoyed when it’s time to rank your preferences. Mints To keep your breath fresh for multiple conversations. Small towel & a fan To wipe off sweat and keep yourself cool while you’re waiting for the next party to start. Deodorant This goes along with the small towel and fan. Flip flops Bring some comfortable shoes in your bag to wear while you walk from house to house, so your feet aren’t killing you in your heels. Band-aids We hope you won’t need these, but it’s better to be prepared for a blister than to not be. Oil blotting sheets Self-explanatory.
Good luck! And have a great week!
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Our Sororities Alpha Chi Omega Founded: 1885 Colors: Scarlet & Olive Green Symbols: Lyre & Red Carnation Motto: “Together Let Us Seek The Heights” Local Mascot: Alligator Philanthropy: Domestic Violence Awareness
Alpha Delta Pi
Founded: 1851 Colors: Azure Blue & White Symbols: Woodland Violet & Diamond Motto: “We Live For Each Other” Mascot: Lion Philanthropy: The Ronald McDonald House
Chi Omega
Founded: 1895 Colors: Cardinal & Straw Symbols: Skull and Crossbones Motto: “Sisters inspired by our values who serve the world while keeping Chi Omega ever at heart” Mascot: Owl Philanthropy: The Make-A-Wish Foundation
Delta Delta Delta
Founded: 1888 Colors: Silver, Gold & Cerulean Blue Symbols: Pearl, Pine & Pansy Motto: “Let Us Steadfastly Love One Another” Mascot: Dolphin Philanthropy: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
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Our Sororities Delta Gamma
Founded: 1873 Colors: Bronze, Pink & Blue Symbol: Anchor & Cream colored Rose Motto: “Do Good” Mascot: Hannah Doll Philanthropy: Service for Sight, Guide Dogs of Texas
Delta Zeta
Founded: 1902 Colors: Rose & Green Symbols: Roman Lamp & Pink Killarney Rose Motto: “Let The Flame Endure Forever” Mascot: Turtle Philanthropy: Better Speech and Hearing, The Painted Turtle Camp, Isaiah’s Place
Gamma Phi Beta Founded: 1874 Colors: Brown & Mode Symbols: Pink Carnation & Crescent Moon Motto: “Founded Upon A Rock” Philanthropy: Girls On The Run, Camp Fire USA
Kappa Alpha Theta Founded: 1870 Colors: Black & Gold Symbols: Kite, Twin Stars & Pansy Motto: “Faith, Hope, and Love” Philanthropy: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Scotty’s House 22
Our Sororities Kappa Delta
Founded: 1897 Colors: Olive Green & Pearl White Symbols: Nautilus Shell, Dagger & White Rose Motto: “Let Us Strive for that Which is Honorable, Beautiful and Highest” Mascot: Teddy Bear & Katydid Philanthropy: Prevent Child Abuse America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Prenatal Clinic in Bryan
Kappa Kappa Gamma Founded: 1870 Colors: Light Blue & Dark Blue Symbols: Key & Fleur de Lis Mascot: Owl Philanthropy: Reading is Fundamental, Nehemiah Center of Navasota
Pi Beta Phi Founded: 1867 Colors: Wine & Silver Blue Symbols: Golden Arrow Mascot: Angel Philanthropy: Literacy, FirstBook, Barbara Bush Parent Center in College Station
Zeta Tau Alpha Founded: 1898 Colors: Turquoise Blue & Steel Gray Symbols: Five-pointed Crown, Strawberry & White Violet Motto: “Seek The Noblest” Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Education & Awareness
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Our Sororities Alpha Epsilon Phi
Founded: 1909 Colors: Green & White Symbol: Lily of the Valley & the Pearl Motto: "Many Hearts, One Purpose" � Mascot: Giraffe Philanthropy: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation & Sharsheret
about Alpha Epsilon Phi is the newest National sorority at Texas A&M University! It is built upon principles of inclusion, set forth by its Jewish founders in 1909. Alpha Epsilon Phi welcomes all collegiate women, regardless of background, to experience the everlasting benefits and sisterhood that the sorority has to offer. The women of Alpha Epsilon Phi represent a sisterhood that fosters friendship, high moral character, and continuous development both personally and intellectually.
Recruitment information Alpha Epsilon Phi participates in CPC's informal recruitment process. While they can accept new members at any time during the fall or spring academic terms, they host an official "Recruitment Week" each semester beginning with MSC Open House and ending with a bid night party where new members are formally accepted.
Contact information Website: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: Tumblr:
http://aggieaephi.wix.com/aggieaephi facebook.com/AggiePhi @aggie_aephi @aggie_aephi aggieaephi.tumblr.com
If you are interested in Alpha Epsilon Phi or would like more information, please contact the Vice President of Recruitment, Rebecca Sontheimer at aggiephirecruitment@gmail.com.
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Go Greek Day Notes
Philanthropy Day Notes
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Sisterhood Day Notes
Preference Evening Notes
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Pi Beta Phi
Kappa Delta
Gamma Phi Beta
Alpha Delta Pi
Kappa Alpha Theta
O A K S
U N I V E R S I T Y
Delta Gamma
Chi Omega
M U N S O N Zeta Tau Alpha
Alpha Chi Omega
BUS STOP
Panhellenic HQ
Delta Delta Delta
AT H E N S
Delta Zeta
O LY M P I A
Kappa Kappa Gamma
D O M I N I K
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