U V M P R I M A R Y R E C R U I T M E N T 2 0 2 4
F I N D Y O U R N E X T C H A P T E R
What is Panhellenic?
The UVM College Panhellenic Association serves as the governing body for the six national sororities represented at the University of Vermont. The College Panhellenic Association is part of the governing body, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). The NPC is an organization formed to promote and support sorority membership.
The UVM College Panhellenic Association is comprised of one elected delegate from each chapter and the nine sorority members who serve on the Panhellenic Executive Board.
The executive board works together to form Fraternity & Sorority Life unity, provide a support system for all chapters, and to plan Fraternity & Sorority Life events. These events range from philanthropy and service opportunities to educational speakers and social activities.
Upon joining a Panhellenic chapter, each student is immediately part of the Panhellenic community. They will have endless opportunities for community engagement, educational programs, and fun events designed to help the members of our community meet and make meaningful friendships!
Dear Potential New Members,
We are so excited to welcome you to Primary Recruitment 2024! Recruitment is a special experience where you learn about many of our members in the UVM Panhellenic community, as well as yourself. You will step outside of your comfort zone, meet new friends, and positively impact the UVM and Vermont communities through service and scholarship. We have all been working so hard to create the best recruitment experience for you, and we’re so excited to meet you!
Although the beginning of recruitment may seem daunting, our team of Rho Gammas are here to help you every step of the way! Rho Gammas, or recruitment counselors, are members of the Panhellenic community that have chosen to disassociate from their chapters to be your mentors during recruitment. They are here to support you every step of the way. When you come to orientation, you will meet your Rho Gammas and a group of other potential new members (PNMs). This group is your Catamount Group. Your Rho Gammas will communicate all information about recruitment to you, and they will lead your Catamount Group to each chapter. We are here for you, whether you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to confide in when the time comes for you to decide which chapter feels like home.
We encourage you to be yourself, keep an open mind, and follow your heart. We are cheering you on!
Panhellenic love,
Sydney Cummins (she/her) VP of Recruitment and Membership
Maddie Mallon (she/her) VP of Recruitment Programming &
Lovely PNMs,
I am thrilled to welcome you into our Panhellenic community and cannot wait to see the smiles on your faces and share in the joy of the adventure of the new school year and primary recruitment! This is the time to meet new friends and strengthen our existing bonds. I encourage you to enter all of these experiences with open minds and open hearts.
As we approach primary recruitment, I want to express my heartfelt commitment to ensuring that we create a safe and inclusive environment for all potential new members. Our Panhellenic community is built on unity and respect and it is our collective responsibility to uphold these principles throughout the recruitment process. We must all strive to be welcoming and supportive, celebrating the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that each individual brings to this community. As a queer, multiracial, Jewish individual I have not always seen people that represent me in spaces like these and I am excited to see all types of people find their home here.
Creating a space where everyone feels valued and accepted is not just a goal; it is a necessity. As we get closer to recruitment, I ask that we be mindful of our words and actions as well as think about using inclusive language such as introducing ourselves with our pronouns. We should enter this time without any preconceived notions about a person ' s experiences or their identities due to their appearance.
I hope to be a resource to you through recruitment and as you discover your home in this community. If you have any concerns now or during recruitment that relate to diversity, equity, and inclusion or just want to chat, do not hesitate to approach me. I am excited to have the opportunity to get to know all of you. Take a deep breath and thank yourself for taking the first step into this adventure and remember to have a blast!
Mia Sorongon (She/Her) VP Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Values Based Recruitment
Recruitment at UVM is values-based. This means that your conversations with chapters will focus on your hobbies, experiences, passions, and overall values. You do not need to purchase anything for recruitment, and we ask that you honor the casual nature of recruitment at UVM by dressing casually and comfortably. You will be on your feet for most rounds, so please wear comfortable shoes especially.
We ask that you keep an open mind throughout recruitment. Go where you feel safe, valued, and natural conversations flow. Our community is made up of individuals with different majors, hometowns, and interests. You are welcome in this community no matter your gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or religion.
UVM Panhellenic strives to welcome anyone and everyone.
We are so excited to meet all of you, and we are so excited to support you all through this process.
PNM Expectations
First and foremost, please be on time!
For the first half of recruitment and Bid Night, all participants will receive the same schedule. On days three and four, you will be provided a personalized schedule, which may not require you to be there for the entirety of that round.
You must make sure to be with your Catamount Groups 10 minutes before each round begins. Try to minimize bathroom breaks and ALWAYS let your Rho Gammas know where you will be going if leaving the group.
If you are having any difficulties please reach out to your Rho Gammas as soon as you encounter an issue so they can troubleshoot with you.
Prospective New Members are encouraged to eat before attending Primary Recruitment. During any breaks, you may step away and eat snacks, but make sure you are back in time with your Catamount Groups in time for your next event. Pizza will be provided Saturday; breakfast will be provided on Sunday. Make sure you are taking care of your bodies, eating, resting, and getting enough sleep!
Additionally, being respectful to not only others, but the Davis Center and our chapter facilities is crucial. Please remember to clean up after yourself, and be kind to the people around you!
Be your true, authentic self. Stay true to yourself and let your personality shine through!
Ask questions! Don’t be afraid to ask members about themselves, their involvement outside of sorority life, academics, their own personal values, etc. Treat each conversation as a new opportunity to get to know someone! Keep an open mind and trust the process. Go into each round with an unbiased mindset! Don’t compare yourself to other potential new member’s experiences, focus on YOU!
Breathe and relax. Though Recruitment is not meant to be stressful, it can sometimes become mentally and physically overwhelming. Remember to take deep breaths, get good rest each night, and take care of your mind and body throughout the five day process.
Your Rights in SororityRecruitment
As a prospective new member you have the right to...
Be treated as an individual
Be fully informed about the recruitment process
Ask questions and receive truthful and objective answers from recruitment counselors and members
Be treated with respect
Be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized
Have and express honest, confidential opinions to recruitment counselors
Make informed choices without undue pressure from others
The right to be fully informed about the NPC
Unanimous Agreements implicit in the membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement (MRABA) signing process
Make one’s own choices and decisions and accept full responsibility for the results of one’s own decisions
Recruitment Schedule
September 11th: PNM Orientation
Davis Center 4th Floor, Silver Maple Ballroom
6:00pm-8:00pm
You will not be meeting any chapters this day, but instead watching a short presentation from Panhellenic and meeting your Catamount Groups!
Catamount Groups are made up of other potential new members and lead by Rho Gammas (recruitment counselors). This is a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends before recruitment officially begins!
September 12th: Friendship Day 1
Mansfield 2nd Floor Davis Center
5:15pm-11:10pm
On Thursday, you will visit three out of the six chapters for 30 minutes each, with a 10 minute break in between. For these rounds, you will be with your Catamount Groups the entire time. In each chapter room, you will learn what makes each chapter unique and what distinguishes each chapter from another.
September 13th: Friendship Day 2
Mansfield 2nd Floor Davis Center
5:25pm-11:20pm
On Friday, you will visit the remaining three chapters with your Catamount Groups. For these rounds, you will also see each chapter for 30 minutes each, with a 10 minute break in between. After this day, you will preference your chapters with your Rho Gammas!
September 14th:
Philanthropy
Marsh Life Science RM 235
11:30am-4:30pm
On Saturday, you will receive a personalized schedule based on your preferences as well as the chapters’. You will visit up to four chapters, and each will share with you their philanthropy efforts and what types of events they hold to raise awareness on important issues to our community.
You will also watch a presentation that will educate you on the financial information on each chapter. The rounds for this day are 40 minutes each with 10 minute breaks in between.
September
15th:
Preference
Mansfield 2nd Floor Davis Center
7:45am-1:30pm
On Sunday morning, you will receive another personalized schedule, once again based on you and each of your chapter’s preferences. You will meet up to two chapters, either at their chapter facility or their designated room on campus. When you meet with the chapter(s), you will learn what it is like to be a part of each specific chapter, as well as understand ritual and how it is important to a values based organization.
Dress for this morning is slightly nicer than the past three days. Think a sundress, romper, pantsuit, or nice pants and shirt.
September 15th: BID NIGHT!
Livak Track 5:15pm
On Sunday evening, you will meet outside the Livak Track to receive your bid from your new chapter!
Anti-Hazing/Bid-Promising
What is Hazing?
Hazing means any act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student in connection with joining/pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or gaining or maintaining membership in any organization that is affiliated with the University; and has the effect of socially or physically isolating, humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning the student or having the effect of harming or potentially harming the mental or physical health of a student.
The fraternity and sorority community believes that true sisterhood and brotherhood is fostered in an atmosphere where social and moral responsibility, respect and commitment to higher standards is valued and practiced. Therefore, a fraternity or sorority program which includes hazing is contrary and detrimental to the purpose of the University of Vermont, the educational and personal development of it’s students, and has no place within the fraternity and sorority community.
What is Bid-Promising and why is it not Values-Based?
“PNMs should have a recruitment experience that is informed through the conversations and values of each chapter, and not influenced by misleading promises. Bid promising, the intentional or unintentional actions that lead a PNM to perceive they will be receiving a bid to a particular chapter, can set up a PNM for unrealistic expectations, lead to disappointment, and may result in the PNM removing themselves from the recruitment process” (NPC Women).
What is the MRABA?
MRABA stand for Membership Recruitment
Acceptance Binding Agreement
The MRABA is signed before final selections are made during Preference round. It’s a binding agreement that must be signed at the completion of recruitment in order for a potential new member to receive a bid of membership from a sorority.
Implications:
If you receive a bid from one of the sororities listed on your MRABA and decide not to join that chapter and decline your bid (now or later), you are not eligible to receive a bid from another College Panhellenic chapter on the campus until the next primary recruitment.
If you do not receive a bid from one of the sororities listed, you are immediately eligible to receive a bid from any chapter.
Terminology
Active Member: An initiated fraternity or sorority member who is affiliated with a campus chapter.
Alumna: A sorority member who has graduated or left college.
Badge: The pin of an initiated member.
Bid: A formal invitation to join a chapter.
Big: An initiated member of a fraternity or sorority who serves as a friend and mentor to a new member as they begin their new member program or initiation.
Chapter: A term used to describe the collegiate group of a fraternity or sorority.
Catamount Group: The group you will visit each of the chapters with and check in each day before rounds begin.
COB/Informal Recruitment: The instructed recruitment process by which chapters bring in new members- usually during mid-fall or early spring semesters.
Initiation: A formal ceremony during which a new member begins full membership in an organization.
National Panhellenic Conference: (NPC) An umbrella organization for the members of 26 (inter)national fraternities, specifically aiming to advance the sorority experience.
New Member: A person who has accepted a fraternity or sorority bid, but has not been initiated.
New Member Period: The time during which new members learn about their organization, its members, and their activities.
Philanthropy: Each Greek chapter fundraises for their own philanthropy, charity or organization, by hosting campus-wide events. These events could include, but are not limited to, sports tournaments, speakers, donations, etc.
Rho Gamma: A recruitment counselor that helps to facilitate, guide, and support potential new members through primary sorority recruitment. Rho Gammas are also disaffiliated from their chapters, meaning they are temporarily removed from their organizations until they rejoin their chapter’s on bid night.
Ritual: A value based esoteric ceremony that is tradition of a chapter. Rituals are kept secret.
Sister/Sibling: A term used by sorority members in reference to one another.
Sisterhood/Community: The name that applies to sorority chapters and is characterized by a ritual, a badge, and a strong bond of friendship.
Lingo
Please use the appropriate language when referring to our community:
Chapter: not house
Fraternity: not frat
Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL): not Greek Life
Recruitment: not rush
Sorority Member: not girl (please be mindful of pronouns!)
Our chapters value community, academics, and philanthropy. Please consider these values throughout recruitment and your conversations!
Greek Alphabet
Alpha (al-fah)
Beta (bay-tah)
Gamma (gam-ah)
Delta (del-ta)
Epsilon (ep-si-lon)
Zeta (zay-tah)
Eta (ay-tah)
Theta (they-tah)
Iota (eye-oh-tah)
Kappa (cap-pah)
Lambda (Lamb-dah)
Mu (mew)
Nu (new)
Rho (row)
Phi (Fie)
Xi (zie)
Sigma (sig-mah)
Chi (kie)
Omicron (om-e-cron)
Tau (ta-ow)
Psi (sigh)
Pi (pie)
Upsilon (up-sil-on)
Omega (oh-may-gah)
Letters: ΑΔΠ
Nickname: ADPi
National Philanthropy: Ronald McDonald House Charities
Colors: Azure Blue & White
Flower: Woodland Violet
Symbols: Lion, Diamond
ALPHA DELTA PI
Founded Nationally: May 15, 1851 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia
Founded at UVM: 1951
Motto: "We Live For Each Other"
Letters: ΑΧΩ
Nicknames: A-Chi-O, Alpha
Chi
Colors: Scarlet Red & Olive
Green
Flower: Red Carnation
Symbol: Lyre
Motto: "Together Let Us Seek The Heights"
ALPHA CHI OMEGA
Founded Nationally: October 15, 1885 at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana
Founded at UVM: 1921 National Philanthropy: The Alpha Chi Omega Foundation & Domestic Violence Awareness
Letters: ΔΔΔ
Nickname: Tri Delta
Founded Nationally: November 27, 1888 at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts
Colors: Cerulean Blue, Silver, & Gold
Flower: Pansy
DELTA DELTA DELTA
Founded at UVM: 1939 National Philanthropy: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Symbols: Dolphin, Pine Tree
Motto: "Let Us Steadfastly Love One Another"
Nickname: Theta
Founded Nationally: January 27 1870 t D P U i sit ed at UVM: 1881, rtered in 2010 hilanthropy: Court Special Advocates (CASA) mbols: Kite
Letters: ΚΔ
Nickname: KayDee
Colors: Olive Green & Pearl
White
Flower: White Rose
Symbols: Nautilus Shell, Dagger
Motto: "Let Us Strive For That Which Is Honorable, Beautiful, and Highest"
KAPPA DELTA
Founded Nationa University in Farm
Founded at UVM: 1926, rechartered in 2014
National Philanthropy: Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA)
Nickname: P Colors: Wine & Si
Financial Transparancy
*Live-Out Active Member dues are for members who choose to NOT live in their respective chapter facility. Dues vary depending on if a member decides to live-in house once initiated.
Chapter New Member Dues Active Member Dues (per semester) Payment Plans and Scholarships
Alpha Delta Pi $1,060
Fall: $744
Spring: $618
$1,028
Live-Out: $715
New members are able to apply for scholarships in the semester following their initiation. New members can be put on payment plans as soon as they accept their bid.
New Members can be put on Installments - consists of 2 installments. After fall semester, once New Members are Active Members, they can choose to be put on installments - consists of 3 installments.
$1,183
Live-Out: $787
Offers payment plan options such as EMS.
$1,476
Live-Out Fall: $1,476
Live-Out Spring: $1,292
New members can apply to scholarships, but must be initiated first. Additionally, members can be put on a payment plan up until the time they receive their first bill. They can go on/off each semester.
Kappa Delta $802
Fall: $639
Spring: $647
Scholarship and EFMS/IMS (emergency financial member status/inactive member status) applications for new members will be sent out at the end of the semester and these options will become active at the start of the spring semester. Anyone can go on a payment plan at any time (including new members after they are initiated) and this does not affect their membership status/financial standing in any way.
Scholarship Opportunities: The Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women’s scholarship applications open on November 15 and are due February 15 at 11:59 PM PST each year. Applications and supporting materials are submitted online, and there are no exceptions to the deadline. Applicants will be notified byemail on or before May 31 if they’ve received an award, and scholarship funds are disbursedafter August 15. Payment Plan Options: New Members are now eligible for payment plans until they are active members. Members can discuss payment plan options with the chapter’s Finance/Housing Team and theAlumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) Finance/Housing Advisor. Invoices are sent to members email accounts once a month through the online finance platform Greekbill. Payments can bemade directly to Greekbill online or through the mail.
Dearest Potential New Members,
Welcome to the University of Vermont and the beginning of an exciting chapter in your life! Whether you ' re about to join our vibrant community or have already made UVM your home, we are so excited that you are choosing to write this next chapter of your story with us.
At the beginning of our college journey neither of us had envisioned ourselves joining chapters, let alone being in our current positions. However, during the recruitment process you are about to embark on, we both found a community that pushed us personally, academically, and professionally. Being a part of this community allowed us to expand our opportunities becoming stronger leaders, advocates, and students. The acceptance, support, and genuine connections we found within our chapters completely transformed our college experience. The friendships we have formed and the moments we have shared have become some of our most cherished memories.
At the heart of Panhellenic are our core values: friendship, leadership, service, knowledge, integrity, and community. We believe in empowering each other to achieve our personal and collective goals, fostering an inclusive and supportive community, and making a positive impact on the world around us. That is why you will see sorority members in many different facets around UVM. They are leaders, innovators, and dedicated individuals who strive to make a difference both on campus and in the broader community.
You can find chapter members as presidents of other campus organizations, directing student-led productions at the Royall Tyler Theatre, serving on our Student Government Association, excelling as Division 1 athletes, and contributing as student employees at the radio station, newspaper, and various college departments. As you embark on your recruitment journey, we encourage you to embrace this opportunity with an open heart and mind. The process is about discovering where you feel most at home and finding a chapter that aligns with your values and aspirations. We hope you find your place within our Panhellenic community, just as we did.
If you have any questions about recruitment, Panhellenic, or Fraternity and Sorority life in general, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, or email us at uvmfsl@uvm.edu. Also check out our Instagram @uvmpanhel for more details, important dates, and reminders!
Best of luck during recruitment, and we are excited to introduce you to our Panhellenic family!
Meet the Rho Gammas
Chloe Martelon (She/Her)
Grace Manzo (She/Her)
Kendall Richmond (She/Her)
Veronica Iredale
Kat Denton (She/Her)
Savannah Kusnitz (She/Her)
Caroline Homes (She/Her)
Izzy Thorp
Jillian Griffith (She/Her)
Paige Ptak (She/Her)
Sophie Izzo (She/Her)
Claire Yoder er)
Liv Goebel (She/Her)
Ava Lynch (She/Her)
Mollie Nicholson (She/Her)
Kayleen Leigh (She/Her)
Emily Johnson (She/Her)
Tracy Rosenberg (She/Her)
Sorongon Adele Martin Nicole Bonanno
Panhel VP Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (She/Her) (She/Her)
Panhel VP PR & Administration
Panhel VP Philanthropy & Service Tia Leno Panhel VP Programming (She/Her) (She/Her) (She/Her)
Panhel VP Academic & Professional Dev.
Meet the Recruitment Team!
Panhellenic President VP Finance & Standards
Samano Head Rho Gamma VP Recruitment & Membership
Panhellenic Advisors:
Clemmones &
Maddie Mallon (she/her)
Sydney Cummins (she/her)
Jo Moffett (she/they)
Camie Cuttitta (she/her)
Scout Kranick (she/her)
Maxine Flordeliza (she/her)
Jasmine
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the structure of Primary Recruitment?
A: Primary Recruitment is broken down into four rounds over the course of five days: PNM Orientation, Friendship Round 1, Friendship Round 2, Philanthropy Round, Preference Round (Morning), and Bid Night.
Q: How will I know which organization is right for me?
A: Each sorority has their own mission and values which they live by. However, Panhellenic strives to ensure friendship both within and across chapters. Our mission is to provide members with new opportunities, personal growth, and development. Primary Recruitment is a mutual selection process structured to allow you and the chapters to see the best fit. Remember, keep an open mind, ask questions, and most importantly, be yourself!
Q: How much of a time commitment is being in a sorority?
A: Each sorority has basic time commitments and mandatory events such as chapter meetings and New Member meetings. Time commitment for being a sorority member can vary from person to person depending on chapter positions and outside commitments. But many sorority members are able to manage sorority responsibilities with jobs or internships, academics and involvement in other campus organizations. Don’t be afraid to ask members during recruitment about how they manage their time between sorority and personal life!
Q: If I participate in Primary Sorority Recruitment, am I obligated to join a chapter?
A: There is no obligation to continue the process if you do not want to. The recruitment process is structured to allow potential new members interested in sorority membership to explore Panhellenic, and see if it is the right fit.
