The University of Texas at El Paso. Panhellenic Council. presents. Formal Recruitment Guide

Transcription

1 The University of Texas at El Paso Panhellenic Council presents Formal Recruitment Guide Fall 2016

2 Table of Contents Welcome Letter to PNM s 3 What is Panhellenic? 4 Why You Should Join 6 Our Values 7 PNM Bill of Rights 8 Membership Recruitment Guidelines for PNM 9 Panhellenic Officers 11 Rho Gamma s 12 What We Expect 14 NPC Sororities Alpha Sigma Alpha 15 Alpha Xi Delta 16 Zeta Tau Alpha 17 Recruitment Overview 18 It s Greek To Me 22 Sorority Do s & Don ts 24 2

3 Welcome! Welcome to the Official University of Texas at El Paso Sorority Recruitment Guide 2016! I am so incredibly excited that you have taken the step in the right direction toward becoming a Greek woman. Fraternity and Sorority Life is a great way to become a part of campus life and get more involved. Our reach as Greek women goes far beyond UTEP s campus, as each sorority donates not only thousands of dollars, but also their time and passion to their national philanthropic organizations and also recognizes the importance of academics and scholarship. Going Greek also provides you with the ability to meet new people and get familiar with UTEP in ways you never thought you could. We have no doubt that Greek life fosters individual growth and teaches skills that will be useful even after graduation. Not only does joining a sorority impact a woman s college experience, it impacts her life as well! Joining a sorority does not make you better than anyone else, but we can promise you that it will make you better than you used to be. Throughout this process you will meet many women from three different chapters, all of which are unique, but contribute to the entirety of the Greek community. Please remember to be yourself, branch out and meet as many women you possibly can. Take the opportunity to meet the other potential new members as you are all going through recruitment together! We look forward to seeing Fraternity and Sorority life grow on this campus through your involvement. Sincerely, Diana Jayme President 3

4 What is the Panhellenic Council? The Panhellenic Council is the governing body of the three NPC sororities at UTEP. The council consists of an executive council and a delegate from each of the three chapters represented on campus. The council strives for open communication and understanding between all chapters. Panhellenic also works to foster a healthy Greek spirit and encourages a campus wide sisterhood of friendships. Panhellenic welcomes you to formal recruitment and wishes you to take part in an exciting experience at UTEP. Panhellenic Creed 4 We, as Undergraduate Members of women s fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities. We, as Fraternity Women, stand for service through the development of character, inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.

5 M P N Let s Get Social! The University of Texas at El Paso Website: gopanhellenicutep@gmail.com 5

6 Why you should join, & what we stand for Fraternity/Sorority: Social experience based on the fundamental right of free people to form a voluntary association. Mutual Choice: The young woman who wants a fraternity/sorority experience will find it possible to belong on most campuses today. Sorority membership is by invitation. Why we exist: 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 Why we continue to exist 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 6

7 Our Values Academics- UTEP strives for academic excellence and developing the scholastic achievement of their members. We require that our women maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA point average. Sisterhood- This is the foundation of the sorority. UTEP is made of unique women who as individuals come together through membership activities spanning from meetings, trips, social activities and community service. Leadership- Our Greek Community offers opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience. Each sorority provides its own positions as elected officers all while promoting membership in other campus organizations. Philanthropy- Community Service and philanthropy events give Panhellenic women a chance to give back to the El Paso Community. All Greek societies have national philanthropic organizations that they support locally. 7

8 National Panhellenic Conference Bill of Rights The right to be treated as an individual The right to be fully informed about the recruitment process The right to ask questions and receive true and objective answers from the Rho Gammas and members The right to be treated with respect The right to be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized The right to ask how and why, and receive straight answers The right to have inviolable confidentiality when sharing information with Rho Gammas The right to make informed choices without undue pressure from others The right to be fully informed about binding agreements implicit in the MRABA signing The right to make her own choice and decision and accept full responsibility for the results of that decision The right to have a positive, safe, and enriching recruitment and pledging experience 8

9 Membership Recruitment Guidelines for Potential Members 1. A woman is eligible to participate in membership recruitment if she is a regularly matriculated student at the University of Texas at El Paso. 2. A woman shall not be, or ever have been, an initiated member of a Panhellenic organization (If in doubt consult Panhellenic). 3. A woman is ineligible for membership recruitment if she has been a new member of an NPC fraternity on this campus within the previous 12 month period. 4. A woman shall register for formal recruitment and pay a $20 registration fee. 5. A woman shall attend orientation and all events to which she has accepted invitations. In the event of illness or other emergency, she shall notify Panhellenic and/or her Panhellenic Recruitment Counselor, if she cannot attend. 6. The day before the first day of Formal Recruitment will be the final and only day to register late for Panhellenic recruitment. 7. A woman must provide her own transportation to and from formal membership recruitment events. 8. A woman shall consult her membership recruitment counselor before withdrawing from membership recruitment. In the event the woman feels she must withdraw from membership recruitment she shall go to the Panhellenic office and sign an official withdrawal form. 9. Panhellenic nametags will be provided to the potential members. 10. From the beginning of orientation through the end of formal membership recruitment, no potential member may visit a women s fraternity chapter except to attend invitational events. 11. No women s fraternity member may buy anything for a potential new member (meal, soft drink, etc.) and no potential member may visit a women s fraternity chapter except to attend invitational events. 9

10 The University of Texas at El Paso Panhellenic Council Alpha Sigma Alpha Alpha Xi Delta Zeta Tau Alpha 10

11 Panhellenic Officers The University of Texas at El Paso Panhellenic Council is the governing body of the three Panhellenic Sororities at UTEP. The council consists of an executive council of six women and a delegate from each of the three chapters represented on campus. Their goal is to promote Greek values, maintain positive public relations among the sororities, and other councils including the Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the University of Texas at El Paso. Diana I. Jayme Fall 12 President Miranda Jordan Spring 15 VP of Recruitment 6 Celeste Schultz Fall 13 VP of Administration AnnElise Bustamante Fall 15 VP of Campus Relations Michelle Saldana Fall 14 VP of Community Relations 11

12 2016 Rho Gamma s Rho Gamma s are sorority women from all 3 of our UTEP Panhellenic chapters. They have each participated in recruitment themselves, both as a potential new member and as an active sorority member. Rho Gamma s are there to answer any questions you may have regarding Recruitment. Their job is to guide you through the formal recruitment process. They disassociated from their own chapters for the entire formal recruitment process to help you find your home here at UTEP and in one of the three sororities. These women were handpicked to help you in your journey through Formal Recruitment. Rho Gamma s, members of the Panhellenic Recruitment Team, are disaffiliated throughout the entire Recruitment process and work to foster a healthy Greek spirit and encourages a campus wide sisterhood of friendships. Panhellenic welcomes you to formal recruitment and wishes you to take part in an exciting experience at UTEP. Rho Gamma s 12

13 We give up our letters to help you find yours Ariel Carrion Brianne Gonzales Kristina Peveto Kayla Quintero Cindy Van Melynda Venegas Panhellenic Exec 13

14 What we expect from you: MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS Sorority members have responsibilities that need to be met in order to maintain their membership in their organization. Regular meeting attendance weekly Participation in community service and philanthropic projects Meeting financial commitments Maintaining academic standards Upholding the values of their organization FINANCIAL OBLIGATION Sororities at UTEP require all members to pay dues to support the operations of the local sorority and inter/national organization. New member dues are sometimes more due to initial fees, lifelong membership fees, badge fees, etc. On average at UTEP, the new member period will range from $500-$800 Each following semester of active membership, dues range from $300-$460 Each sorority structures their payments according to their organization s bylaws and are able to offer payment plans Each sorority internally governs the cost and allocation of the fees ACADEMIC OBLIGATION Sororities were founded primarily upon principles of academic excellence, and this is a primary consideration in membership selection. The Panhellenic Council require a minimum 2.5 GPA to participate in Recruitment or be a sorority member. The individual chapters also establish their own requirements either equal or greater to that of Panhellenic Council. The Sororities strongly adhere to these grade requirements. 14

15 ASA alpha sigma alpha Nickname: Alpha Sigs Local Chapter Name: Theta Xi Date Founded: November 15, 1901 Colors: Crimson red, Pearl white, Palm green, Gold Symbols: Four Point Crown, Star, Palm Tree, Phoenix Flowers: Aster & Narcissus Philanthropy: Special Olympics, Girls on the Run, & S. June Smith Center Motto: Aspire. Seek. Attain. Mascot: Dot, the ladybug 15

16 AXD alpha xi delta Nickname: Alpha Xi Date Founded: April 17, 1893 Local Chapter Name: Iota Eta Colors: Double Blue & Gold Symbols: Golden quill Flowers: Pink Rose Philanthropy: Autism Awareness & Autism Speaks Motto: The Pen is mightier than the sword Inspiring women to realize their potential Mascot: BetXi Bear 16

17 ZTA zeta tau alpha Nickname: Zeta Date Founded: October 7, 1938 Local Chapter Name: Gamma Gamma Colors: Turquoise blue & Steel grey Symbols: Five Point Crown & Strawberry Flowers: White Violet Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Awareness & Education Motto: Seek the Noblest 17

18 Recruitment Week At A Glance... monday AUG 29th orientation wednesday AUG 31st open house thursday SEPT 1st philanthropy friday SEPT 2nd preference saturday SEPT 3rd bid day Each round you will begin your day by meeting with your recruitment counselor group. This is the time when you will receive your invitations and event schedules for that day. Due to time limitations, it may be advisable for you to dress for the recruitment events prior to attending recruitment. 18

19 Wondering what to wear during recruitment? Each event gets progessively dressier than the last. Included are some helpful tips: DO: Wear something that expressees who you are, not what you think the chapter will like, or want to see. DO: Be comfortable. DON T: Wear clothing or shoes that will be difficult to sit or walk in. Day 1- Orientation (optional) Overview - The purpose of orientation is for the recruitment team to inform about the PNM s right s, the schedule, the mutual selection process and additional questions to ask. A 10-minute presentation will be given by each sorority. There will be tables for the PNM s to peruse per chapter. Dress - The rule of thumb when it comes to dressing for recruitment is to always overdress a little. Day one, you should dress like you re going out for ice-cream with your friends: dark jeans or simple shorts, cute flats or boots, and a nice top or sweater. Don t wear too much jewelry, and avoid low-cut or too-tight tops; you don t want to look like you re going clubbing. 19

20 Day 2- Open House (open to all pnm s) Overview - It is the PNM s first opportunity to meet the chapter face-to-face and speak with chapter members. This gives PNM s the opportunity to learn about the sorority and ask questions about the information given the prior day. Dress - Every round gets a little dressier; on day two, you will be given a t-shirt, so pair it with a cute skirt or nice shorts. A lot of girls will be wearing wedges, but flats are still totally fine. You can definitely wear subtle jewelry this round, and have a little fun with your makeup try a tasteful pink lipstick. Day 3- Philanthropy (invitational) Overview - This day focuses on each of the sorority s national philanthropy and the service they provide for the community. Each PNM is invited to visit two out of the three sororities depending on the mutual selection process. Dress - Day three, dress like you would for a dinner date; a sundress is a great idea with a pair of wedges and a statement necklace. You want to look very put together, but not too formal. 20

21 Day 4- Preference (invitational) Overview - Each PNM is invited to visit two out of the three sororities depending on the mutual selection process. This is a special night for PNM s and the sororities active members. Preference night is generally a serious night in which each sorority explains the values of their organization. This is the last night to ask whatever is on your mind because you will be making a final decision. Immediately after your last Preference event, you will complete a Preference card or MRABA. This is when you will be asked to make your final decision which will be made on your own. Only you know what is best for you, so do not let anyone else influence your decision. Dress - The dress for this round is semiformal, but again, most girls dress a little nicer. Think a wedding rehearsal dinner or a cocktail dress. You can t go wrong with a classy dress! Wear your nicest heels, and, a nice necklace if you have them, a strand of pearls adds a polished touch. Day 5- Bid Day (invitational) Overview - This is the day you will recieve your bid to join a sorority you were matched with through the mutual selection process. Dress - Casual bottoms. You will be given a bid day shirt. 21

22 It s Greek to me Active Member Members who have completed the new member program and have been initiated into a chapter. Alumnae Sorority members who have graduated from college. Bid An invitation to join a sorority. Chapter(s) Local extensions of National Sorority Organizations. Colonization One method of extension used by sororities to establish new chapters on approved campuses. Formal Recruitment - A designated membership recruitment period during which a series of organized events are held by each sorority; recruitment is coordinated and supervised by Panhellenic Council. Hazing - Unethical or forbidden pre-initiation activities. This applies to both mental and physical forms of harassment, which are banned by Panhellenic and the Interfraternity Councils, the University, the state, as well as the individual national Greek organizations Initiation Ritualistic ceremony during which new members receive lifelong membership privileges. Legacy - A woman whose mother, sister, half-sister, or grandmother is an alumna or active member of a sorority. Matriculated - A full time student. 22

23 MRABA (Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement) this is the card that you will sign with a member of the Panhellenic Executive Council on preference night to verify the sorority in which you would like to be a member. New Member A woman who has accepted a sorority bid but is not yet an initiated member. Panhellenic Advisor UTEP staff member who is responsible for guiding the Panhellenic Council. Philanthropy Events to promote the welfare of organizations and charities, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. Potential New Member Any woman interested in becoming a sorority member who is matriculated and eligible according to the Panhellenic Council requirements. Quota - The number of women participating in formal recruitment divided by the number of NPC sororities. Recruitment Counselor (Rho Gamma) A Panhellenic representative who has no contact with her own chapter during Formal Recruitment and is available to guide women through the recruitment process and to answer questions. Rounds The events that a PNM attends per day during formal recruitment. Greek Alphabet A alpha B beta G gamma D delta E epsilon Z zeta H eta Q theta I iota K kappa L lambda M mu N nu X xi O omicron P pi R rho S sigma T tau U upsilon F phi C chi Y psi W omega 23

24 Sorority Do s ATTEND ALL EVENTS you are invited to each day. WEAR YOUR NAMETAG at all times when attending Recruitment events. Replacement nametags are available. INFORM YOUR RHO GAMMA AND/OR PANHELLENIC if an emergency arises. Contact your Community Advisor if you are in a Residence Hall. REPORT ANY SCHEDULE CONFLICTS to Panhellenic in advance of an anticipated absence. ASK QUESTIONS. Make sure to ask questions when you do not understand. Rho Gammas and Panhellenic are happy to help you through the process. BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL when attending events. INFORM PANHELLENIC if you choose not to join a group. We ask that you withdraw from the process in writing. BE HONEST. Tell the sororities about your interests, hobbies, or accomplishments. The sorority members are excited about meeting you and getting to know you. 24

25 Sorority Don ts DON T STAY GLUED TO YOUR CELL PHONE. You will be busy enough making new friends and moving from event to event. DON T BE LATE! We will do our best to keep to a strict schedule, please do the same. DON T GO IN WITH YOUR HEART SET on one sorority. Keep an open mind! You may not be familiar with all the sororities, so take time to consider membership in each group. Every sorority offers something unique. Also consider that being a legacy of a group does not ensure membership in that group. DON T PARTICIPATE IN EVENTS AFTER RECRUITMENT that include men and/or alcohol. DON T COMMUNICATE with current or alumnae sorority members. Strict silence is in effect and they should not pressure or influence you during this time (this includes s, text messages and all social media outlets). DON T TALK ABOUT OTHER SORORITES. You never know who has friends where. DON T ACCEPT gifts, letters, flowers, snacks or meals from current or alumnae sorority members. DON T ALLOW current or alumnae sorority members imply or promise a bid to membership. This practice is invalid, illegal, and forbidden during Formal Recruitment. 25

26 Have fun and remember that recruitment is a time to make new friends and experience what it is like to be Greek! How you make your choices: Starting Wednesday, and at the conclusion of every successive day, you will meet with your Rho Gammas and rank each sorority in order of your preference. This will help us to match you to the sorority that invites you to attend their events for the following day. The next day you will receive invitations to Recruitment events one hour prior to the first event. How the sororities make their choices: Sororities make their choices based on academic, leadership, community service accomplishments and on the conversations you had with their members during the events. The sorority women also look for PNM s that appear to uphold and value their sorority s membership requirements and founding values. At the end of each day, the entire sorority will approve the women receiving invitations for the following day. 26