UCSB Panhellenic Recruitment Guide 2021

UCSB PANHELLENIC

Recruitment 101

A Guide For Potential New Members!

Fall Formal Recruitment 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS A Letter from Our President.........................3 A Letter from Our VP Recruitment....................4 Meet the Panhellenic Executive Council..............5 Meet our Chapters and Presidents....................6 It's All Greek to Me................................7 Recruitment Registration Checklist..................8 Recruitment Schedule................................9 Financial Information..............................10 Policies and Procedures............................11 Frequently Asked Questions......................12-15 Tips for Recruitment............................16-17

A Letter From Our President Dear Potential New Members, I am so excited to see you take this opportunity to join the Panhellenic Community at UCSB. Our Panhellenic Community offers so many amazing opportunities which you will get to experience during the recruitment week and throughout the entirety of your membership. Being a part of the largest women's organization on campus, you will constantly be surrounded by strong, driven, and supportive people. Whether it's the bonds you create with other members, the leadership skills you build upon, the service or activism you engage in, the change you help ignite, or the responsibilities you learn, your experience in Panhellenic is going to be a meaningful one. I am so happy you have decided to take this first step to join something bigger than yourself. Going through the recruitment process can be daunting and stressful. But, I promise that you are not alone and it will be okay.

We have also been in your shoes, and you have some amazing people to guide you through it! Your Rho Gamma and our executive team are here to help and share the same goal of wanting you to find a home within our community. In the days leading up to recruitment and even during the week, I encourage you to think about what you want this home to look like. What do you value, and what would you like to get out of your experience in Panhellenic? Take some time to reflect; this will help you throughout recruitment when meeting all of our amazing chapters. Joining a Panhellenic sorority is more than just joining one chapter. You are entering a community of people, all with different letters, who will stand with you through thick and thin and inspire you to be the best version of yourself. I cannot wait to see all that you do to leave your mark on our community too!

-Sophia Lake

A Letter From Our VP Recruitment Hi everyone!

I am so excited that you are interested in joining the Panhellenic community! Just three short years ago, I was standing in your shoes and wondering where Sorority Life would lead me. I can now honestly say that joining a Panhellenic sorority was one of the best decisions I made throughout my college experience. Recruitment helped me find the people I can always turn to, my home away from home, and an incredible community on campus.

However, I will be the first to admit that recruitment can be intimidating, but that is okay! You are not alone in that feeling.

Just remember that we are all excited to meet you and want you to find a home in the Panhellenic community. If I were to give you any advice for recruitment, it would be this: stay open-minded and true to yourself. Do not let the person to your left or right sway your opinions. Everyone is different; that is why we have nine amazing chapters. Regardless of what house you run home to on bid day, know that you are joining an incredibly empowering and supportive community that will be your home for much longer than just four years.

-Jenna Tonogai

Meet The Panhellenic Executive Council

Sophia Lake

Jenna Tonogai

Zoe Bennett

Amanda Mobley

President

VP Recruitment

VP Judicial

VP Membership Education

Catherine Grossman

Hailey Jackson

Kara Milewski

Jennifer Mitchell

VP Programming

VP Marketing

VP Finance

Fraternity and Sorority Life Coordinator

We are a council of seven women with the united mission to further progress the sorority experience for everyone involved. With each new member of our community, we find new perspectives, new voices, and new ideas that shape the future of our legacies. We hope to leave behind space for new leaders to write their part of our never-ending story.

The Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC) is the governing body for the nine Panhellenic sororities that reside at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The CPC, as well as the Chapter Presidents, Delegate Board, and Panhellenic sorority advisors, meet weekly to discuss the betterment and growth of our community. The Panhellenic Council is here to answer any questions you may have throughout your Panhellenic sorority experience, as well as guide you through the recruitment process.

Meet Our Chapters and Presidents!

The Greek Alphabet

Vanessa Hill Alpha Chi Omega

Maddie Whalen Alpha Delta Pi

Maddie Korman Alpha Phi

Libby Fitch Delta Gamma

Anika Ahlstron Gamma Phi Beta

Marissa Raras Kappa Alpha Theta

Addie Hobbs Kappa Kappa Gamma

Abby Barber Pi Beta Phi

A Alpha(al-fah) B Beta(bay-yah) Γ Gamma(gam-ah) Δ Delta(del-tah) E Epsilon(ep-si-lon) Z Zeta(zay-tah) H Eta(ay-tah) Θ Theta(they-tah) I Iota(eye-o-tah) K Kappa(kap-pah) Λ Lambda(lamb-da) M Mu(mew) N Nu(new) Ξ Xi(zai) O Omicron(om-i-cron) Π Pi(pie) P Rho(roe) Σ Sigma(sig-mah) T Tau(tow) Y Upsilon(oop-si-lon) Φ Phi(fe) X Chi(kie) Ψ Psi(sie) Ω Omega(o-may-gah)

Erin Lewis Phi Sigma Rho

Fraternity and Sorority Terminology A Comprehensive Guide!

Active: A sorority member currently in college whom their chapter has formally initiated.

Alumni/Alumnae: A member of the organization who has graduated from college and continues to stay active within the organization through a graduate or alumni chapter.

Bid: A formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.

Big: A nickname for a sibling; a mentor assigned to a new member.

Chapter: The local collegiate branch of a national fraternity or sorority.

College Panhellenic Council (CPC): A council for all of the National Panhellenic Conference sorority chapters on a campus. This council serves as the governing body for all NPC chapters on campus and organizes the recruitment process. Each chapter chooses a delegate to sit on its College Panhellenic Council.

Continuous Open Bidding (COB): The informal recruitment opportunities that Panhellenic chapters have if their numbers fall below the median chapter size on campus, which is reset twice during the academic year.

Chapters are not required to participate in informal recruitment. However, if chapters are eligible to conduct COB, they will typically hold a few events at the beginning of the quarter to meet potential new members.

Initiation: A traditional ceremony that brings a new member into full membership of a sorority or fraternity. Once you are initiated into an NPC sorority, you are ineligible for membership in any other chapter.

Interfraternity Council (IFC): A council that is the governing body of the NIC fraternities; on some campuses, local fraternities are housed under the IFC. National Panhellenic Conference (NPC): One of the oldest and largest women’s membership organizations. NPC is an umbrella organization for the 26 (inter)national sororities. UCSB has 9 active Panhellenic chapters.

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC): The governing body for the 9 internationally recognized historically African American Greek-Lettered fraternities and sororities, known as the “Divine 9”. UCSB has 3 active NPHC affiliated sororities.

New Member: An individual who has accepted a bid from a sorority or fraternity but has not yet been initiated and therefore is not an active member yet.

Philanthropy: Charitable events performed by Greek organizations.

Potential New Member (PNM): Anyone going through a formal recruitment process interested in joining a sorority or fraternity.

Rho Gamma or Recruitment Counselor: A sorority member who is disaffiliated from their sorority to serve as a recruitment guide. Each PNM will be assigned a Rho Gamma during formal recruitment.

Single Intentional Preference: When a PNM attends more than one preference event but limits their membership selections by not listing all their options on the MRABA. United Sorority and Fraternity Council (USFC): The governing body for the cultural-based sororities and fraternities. Each culturally relevant fraternity and sorority has a specific cultural basis, which is the defining quality of USFC. UCSB has 9 USFC affiliated sororities and fraternities and 7 USFC affiliated fraternities.

Recruitment Registration Checklist 1.) Register for Fall 2021 Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment online at https://ucsbpanhellenic.org/ no later than Friday, September 17th at 11:59pm.

2.) Pay the $45 registration fee.

Not sure if you made your payment?

Please don't fill out another registration form. Simply email the CPC VP Recruitment, Jenna Tonogai, at vprecruitment@ucsbpanhellenic.org to confirm your registration was received.

3.) Complete the PNM Orientation Online by Saturday, September 18th at 11:59pm. Please note: you will not be permitted to participate in the recruitment process if you have not completed the online orientation by the end of the registration period.

4.) Discuss the financial and time commitment with your family and friends to make sure it is something you are ready for. Joining a Panhellenic sorority is more than four years - it is for life! This is a big decision and something you should consider seriously before signing your Membership Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) on Preference Night. Find our 2021 financial breakdown here

Recruitment Schedule Mandatory PNM Kickoff (Sunday September 19th Session 1: 9:30-11:00 am, Session 2: 4:30-6:00pm) Welcome to Recruitment Week! At this orientation, PNMs will learn about the recruitment process at UCSB. The Panhellenic Executive Board will talk about valuable information regarding the upcoming week and Greek Life as a whole.

After the presentations, PNMs will meet with their Rho Gamma, who will serve as their sounding board throughout the week!

Round One: Open House - Part 1 (Monday September 20th 9:00am) During this round, PNMs will be introduced to UCSB Panhellenic life. This is your chance to get a good idea of each chapter! PNMs will only visit half of the chapters on this day.

Round One: Open House - Part 2 (Tuesday September 21st 10:00am) PNMs will visit the other half of the chapters on this day. After this round, PNMs will select 5 of their most preferred chapters and their 3 least preferred in order.

Round Two: Impact (Wednesday September 22nd 10:00am) During this round, PNMs will visit up to 5 chapters. Chapters will the impacts of their members, philanthropy work, community service and larger communities, and the impact the chapter has had on its After this round, PNMs will select their 2 most preferred chapters 3 least preferred in order. PNMS never “cut” a chapter.

highlight on campus members. and their

Round Three: Preference (Friday September 24th 5:00pm) This is the final night of formal recruitment! Preference round focuses on how sisterhood unites their chapters as well as ritual.

After this round, PNMs will preference the chapter(s)they attend and sign the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA), which will be explained to them during selections.

Bid Day (Saturday September 25th 1:30pm) This is the best day of the week! PNMs will receive their bids and join their new home away from home. Each chapter will host a bid day activity to help the new members get to know each other, and the rest of the chapter.

Financial Information Financial Requirements for Membership As you consider membership in one of UCSB's Panhellenic Sororities, please make sure to discuss the financial commitment with friends and family first. Keeping up with required fees and payments is a requirement for membership in each of our chapters. Keep in mind, membership dues are most expensive during your first quarter of membership as a New Member because there are many one-time fees. Fees are assessed quarterly at UCSB, and each chapter charges slightly different amounts for New Member dues, active member dues, and dues for those members who live in the sorority house.

Additionally, many chapters recognize the financial burden many members/families could be facing as a result of this pandemic. Therefore, all chapters are looking at how they can adjust their budgets to increase accessibility for members and PNMs. More information will be shared closer to the start of fall quarter.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Panhellenic sororities often require members to live in their chapter house for at least one year of membership (even upperclassmen who join will be held to this requirement). This is a good thing to ask about during the Open House Round. Living in the house is an exceptional value, as the average cost of living (including room/board, dues, and meals) can be less than living in UCSB residence halls and Isla Vista!

Average Membership Fees for the 2021-2022 School Year Keep in mind that our chapters collect dues on a quarterly basis. Chapter fees differ by chapter and by quarter, depending on the requirements for each house.

"New Member" fees are collected only in the first year of membership. These fees generally include onetime costs, such as the initiation fee, sorority badge fee, etc. Initiated members who do not live in their chapter house (usually older members who have already satisfied their live-in requirement) are charged the least for Panhellenic sorority dues. These dues pay for special chapter events, upkeep on the house, leadership development programs, at least one meal per week in the chapter facility, start-up fees for philanthropic events, and more. Initiated members who live in their chapter house ("live-in" members) pay the most in dues. These fees include everything for which out-of-house members pay, as well as room and board for the quarters they are living in the house.

If you have any questions about the financial commitment of joining a Panhellenic sorority, don't hesitate to get in touch with our VP Finance, Kara Milewski, for the Panhellenic Executive Council at vpfinance@ucsbpanhellenic.org.

AVERAGE ANNUAL FEE FOR NEW MEMBER (FIRST YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP): $3,085 AVERAGE ANNUAL FEE FOR MEMBER LIVING OUT OF HOUSE: $2,600 AVERAGE ANNUAL FEE FOR MEMBER LIVING IN SORORITY HOUSE: $10,650

Policies and Procedures Signing the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) The preferential bidding system is a method in which PNMs preferences are matched to sororities’ preference lists. Following your last Preference Night event, you will meet your Rho Gamma to sign an MRABA. On your MRABA, you will be asked to list the Panhellenic sorority/sororities you wish to join in order of preference. Then, you will sign your MRABA with the understanding that you are willing to accept a bid from either of the chapters listed on the agreement. If a bid is extended to you from one of your choices and you decide not to accept it, you will not be eligible to participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB) hosted by Panhellenic chapters for one calendar year.

PNM Code of Ethics Being part of UCSB’s Formal Recruitment is not only a great opportunity but a great privilege. Each Panhellenic sorority on campus has worked hard for the past year in preparation for your visit to their home. As a guest, you are expected to act in accordance to the following rules, which apply to both the active members as well as Rho Gammas. Failure to do so may result in your removal from the recruitment process.

As a PNM of a UCSB Panhellenic Chapter, I will: Attend ALL events to which I receive an invitation Behave respectfully towards myself, other PNMs, chapter members, recruitment counselors, and university staff at all times.

Formal Recruitment Rules Recruitment rules have been established to help active members and PNMs uphold the highest standards of conduct during the formal recruitment process. This process is designed to give each PNM every opportunity to become acquainted with as many Panhellenic sororities as possible, so they may make an informed and unbiased decision regarding their membership in one of these chapters. Formal recruitment also ensures that our chapters have equal opportunities in recruiting PNMs and conducting membership selection through this process.

All Panhellenic sorority members and PNMs will be expected to conform to the highest standard of conduct. Mentioning subjects such as sorority reputations, stereotypes or generalizations, PNM reputations, or promising bids for membership violates the spirit of Panhellenic Membership and our process. If you experience any such behavior, please get in touch with your Rho Gamma or a member of the Panhellenic Executive Board (email: vpjudicial@ucsbpanhellenic.org.

Act respectfully and politely when attending all events.

Not discuss my opinion of any Panhellenic sorority participating in recruitment with other PNMs Not discuss or reveal a known affiliation of any Rho Gamma or Panhellenic Executive member with other PNMs. I understand that if I am matched with a sorority and receive a bid, I am bound to that chapter and am therefore considered ineligible to receive an invitation for membership from any other sorority until the next formal recruitment.

Frequently Asked Questions How do I know if my registration was received?

You will know your registration was received when you get a confirmation email from Campus Director and are automatically directed to our payment site and prompted to pay the $45 fee. If you are concerned your payment or registration did not go through, please DO NOT submit another registration form.

Instead, email the CPC VP Recruitment, Jenna Tonogai, at vprecruitment@ucsbpanhellenic.org to confirm your registration and payment were received. Remember: you won't be completely done with registration until you finish the PNM Orientation through LaunchPoint.

Is there a GPA Requirment?

Am I eligible to participate?

Academic excellence is very important to our collegiate chapters at UCSB. The average GPA for our Panhellenic sororities is 3.504. Panhellenic does not require a certain GPA to participate in recruitment, but most chapters have a minimum GPA requirement for membership, which varies by chapter. This is a great question to ask during Open House Round!

I am an international student: Yes! As long as you are a fully enrolled, regularly matriculated student at UCSB, you are eligible to participate in Panhellenic recruitment.

I am a non-traditional undergraduate student: If you are a regularly matriculated undergraduate student granted full-time status, yes!

I am a transfer student or upperclassman: Yes! We welcome all regularly matriculated, fulltime undergraduate students (including transfers and upperclassmen!).

I am a UCSB Extension or graduate student: Unfortunately, only women or female-identifying students who are regularly matriculated undergraduate students granted full-time status at UCSB are eligible.

I am an SBCC student (and interested in transferring to UCSB): No. Only women or female-identifying students who are currently matriculating at UCSB are eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions Will I be required to live in the house?

All Members (including transfer students and upperclassmen) who join a Panhellenic sorority at UCSB may be required to sign a housing contract and live in the sorority house for at least one year of their undergraduate membership. Each chapter has their own rules regarding living in.

Living in the house is an amazing opportunity to meet more chapter members and create lifelong memories!

What if I have to miss part of recruitment?

Please let us know ASAP! Send an email to our VP Recruitment, Jenna, at vprecruitment@ucsbpanhellenic.org. We will work with PNMs and their schedules for class/academic conflicts, religious holidays, university athletic commitments, and other conflicts.

Please email Jenna about potential conflicts no later than Friday, September 17th at 11:59 pm to ensure we have time to make accommodations for you.

What can I expect as a new member?

Each Panhellenic member can make the most of their sorority experience. We recommend each member be prepared to dedicate at least four hours a week to their sorority.

Additionally, every member is required to uphold the Fraternity & Sorority Standards of Excellence requirements. This includes: Attending the annual New Member Education Conference Completing one educational program (three hours each) by the end of each academic school year Completing a minimum of six hours of community service per quarter(18 hours total over three quarters) Every chapter requires attendance at weekly one-hour meetings (typically on Monday nights), philanthropic events, social events, and sisterhood events throughout each quarter.

Please keep these time commitments in mind during the recruitment process.

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Am I guaranteed a membership?

By participating in Panhellenic Fall Sorority Recruitment, PNMs acknowledge they are not guaranteed an invitation to join a Panhellenic sorority chapter. By following the recruitment schedule and attending all events, the chances of receiving an invitation to join participating chapters will increase.

Frequently Asked Questions What will I need to participate if recruitment is virtual?

First, you must register online and pay the $45 fee. During formal recruitment, be sure to have access to a computer, stable internet, and a quiet environment with no interruptions. Everything will be conducted via your UCSB provided zoom account. If you think you may not have access to any of those things, please contact the VP Recruitment at vprecruitment@ucsbpanhellenic.org or at (805)394-8945.

Why would formal recruitment be virtual?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, formal recruitment might be virtual this fall. The Panhellenic Executive Council, along with chapter presidents and recruitment chairs, will make this decision in consultation with the Office of Student Leadership & Engagement at UCSB and the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), which is the governing body of the 26 member organizations. The health and safety of our community and potential new members are at the forefront of all decisions pertaining to the structure of fall recruitment, and it still remains our top priority moving forward. Furthermore, a virtual formal recruitment decreases the risk of a COVID outbreak in Isla Vista, UCSB, and Santa Barbara communities. To put things into perspective, approximately 1500 women participate in our recruitment process. With such a large number of people interacting with one another, it causes our communities to be extremely vulnerable to a potential COVID outbreak. Details coming soon on whether or not formal recruitment will be held virtually or in person.

Frequently Asked Questions Who will help me navigate this process prior to and during formal recruitment?

Rho Gammas (Recruitment Counselors) are Panhellenic members who temporarily "disaffiliate" from their chapter to provide unbiased advice during the recruitment experience for every potential new member.

As registrations are processed, PNMs will be placed in a Rho Gamma group. Leading up to formal recruitment, Rho Gammas will be reaching out via the email and/or phone number provided in the PNM registration to begin building relationships and sharing important information. During the week of formal recruitment, your Rho Gamma will continue to guide you through the process and be your confidential sounding board.

Does a virtual recruitment also mean a virtual membership experience?

How can I learn more?

As we and the chapters continue planning and finalizing the details of Panhellenic sorority operations for both recruitment and beyond, we will continue to update our instagram and website with pertinent information. There is also a fraternity and sorority life session during summer orientation that can help give a broad overview of some of the benefits of the sorority experience. After registering for Panhellenic sorority recruitment, potential new members will also complete an online module, where you will learn more specifically about Panhellenic life and the recruitment process. The Panhellenic executive board will host a PNM Kickoff event during the week of recruitment as well, which will help you learn about and understand the recruitment process at UCSB, along with all the information needed to know about the upcoming week and the next four years of college. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email our President, Sophia, (president@ucsbpanhellenic.org) or our VP Recruitment, Jenna, (vprecruitment@ucsbpanhellenic.org).

Although recruitment this fall may be held virtually, the membership experience itself may not be entirely virtual, depending on the decisions of individual chapters, which are still being made. Any individual who wishes to do a fully remote experience for fall may do so; our chapters are actively working together to ensure a virtual membership experience is as rewarding and engaging as possible.

Still have questions?

Send us an email at vprecruitment@ucsbpanhellenic.org or call or text us at (805)394-8945!

Tips for Recruitment Do your research Research the eight chapters that are participating in formal recruitment at UCSB. Find out what they do for community service, the philanthropy they support, their members' involvement in other organizations, and other fun facts about both their UCSB chapter and their (inter)national organization. Make sure you find this information from credible sources like our website and their Facebook pages.

Ask Questions!

Not only does asking questions keep the conversation flowing, but it is also your chance to find out more about chapters you are interested in.

Get Some Sleep!

You want to be well rested during recruitment. This way you will enjoy the conversations more and have energy when you visit all of the houses.

Keep an Open Mind

Take Notes!

You will be visiting a lot of chapters during the week.

Write down names, what you talked about, and anything else that will help you remember the chapters you visited. These notes will be useful when you are making your decisions at the end of each day.

Make Your Own Decisions Don't listen to any rumors you may hear about chapters because they are most likely not true. Most importantly, do not let the opinions of others affect your decision about a house. All that matters is that YOU like the house.

Don't rule out a chapter after talking to only a handful of members. Chapters have around 180 members! You may change your mind and end up liking the chapter later in the week after talking to more people, so stay positive! All chapters have great things to offer.

Tips for Recruitment Be careful with what you say!

Make sure to say only positive things about chapters when you are around other people. If you feel negatively about a house, do not to discuss it around other PNMs. You don't want to sway their feelings about a house -- they may have loved that chapter!

Be Realistic!

Utilize your Rho Gamma!

Your Rho Gam has been trained to help you through recruitment and tackle almost any issue or concern you may have. They are your guide throughout the week. If you're stressed, conflicted, or just need someone to talk to, your Rho Gam will help you.

Have Fun! Remember to enjoy yourself.

Recruitment is a great time where you get to meet so many new people and start one of the best chapters of your life.

Look for chapters that fit your personality, likes, and interests.

Don't focus on reputations; focus on chapters that you connect with.

Be Yourself!

Chapters want to get to know the real you, so try to relax and show them your true self.