The FSU Panhellenic Association 2015 Formal Recruitment Guide for Potential New Members Table of Contents Welcome from the Recruitment Staff 2 Recruitment Counselors 3 Recruitment Schedule 4 Schedule Conflicts: Orientation & University Commitments Frequently Asked Questions 6 Letters of Recommendation 6 Sorority Recruitment & Housing Information 7 Financial Information 8 What to Wear 9 Potential New Member Contract & Expectations 9-10 Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement 11 It s All Greek To Me! Panhellenic Vocabulary Guide 12-13 5 1
Welcome from the Vice President of Membership Dear Potential New Member, First, we are thrilled you are interested in joining our wonderful Panhellenic community. It is truly the best decision you could make during your time at Florida State University. The recruitment process can seem confusing and well, a little overwhelming at first. We have developed this document to help you navigate this experience. In this document, you will find answers to some of your questions and/or concerns you may have about joining a sorority. Joining a sorority is more than just joining a social organization. A sorority membership can provide you with many opportunities for community service, leadership development, academic excellence, and lifelong friendships. Panhellenic holds formal recruitment once a year, during the week prior to the start of the Fall semester in order to give each prospective new member (PNM) the opportunity to engage with each of our 17 chapters. There are four (4) rounds of recruitment themed for Panhellenic s core values: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Sisterhood. Throughout the week, each PNM will have the ability to learn about each of our 17 chapters in order to find which ones exemplify the values congruent to her personal values and that suit her best! After the recruitment week ends and bids are distributed, the PNMs become new members of their organizations and a part of a long standing legacy at Florida State! There are 17 Panhellenic chapters on our campus, all based on the four core Panhellenic values. While all chapters hold these similar values, each one has its unique ritual and traditions offering a meaningful experience unique to each person. Joining any Panhellenic chapter will provide you with the opportunity to make a large school experience into a smaller one creating a community of care, compassion, and excellence! Our recruitment staff, recruitment counselors, and chapters have been diligently working throughout the past year to prepare for your arrival. We want to make this the best and most positive experience of your collegiate career. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us in pursuit of your membership. In Panhellenic Spirit, Abby F., Courtney K., Emily R.& Sara A. 2015 Recruitment Staff 2
Your Recruitment Counselors: Rho Gammas ( ) The recruitment process is filled with many new opportunities and experiences, and along with these opportunities come challenges. Rest assured these questions do not have to be met alone! Your recruitment experience will begin when you are introduced to your Recruitment Counselor, also known as a Rho Gamma. Your Rho Gamma will help guide and support you throughout the Recruitment week. Our Rho Gammas represent the 17 current Panhellenic chapters on Florida State s campus. Each Rho Gamma is selected in the fall semester and trained in a Recruitment course throughout the spring semester, as well as the week prior to Recruitment. The most important thing Rho Gammas want you to know is that they are a member of the Panhellenic community, and they will be able to answer any questions you may have about the Recruitment process, Florida State University, and our Panhellenic community as a whole. The Rho Gamma s sorority affiliation is a secret. So don t spoil the fun by trying to find out which sorority they belong to before the time has arrived. 3
Recruitment Schedule Sunday, August 16 th Recruitment Orientation! The Recruitment Orientation will provide you with all the information you will need to navigate the recruitment process with ease. Once you check into recruitment, you will meet your recruitment counselor and the women who will be in your recruitment group! This two-hour session will be led by our staff and the recruitment counselors. Scholarship Round: Monday and Tuesday, August 17 th & 18 th Monday and Tuesday will be spent visiting all 17 chapters! Each day will start with a meeting of your recruitment group. Panhellenic will supply you with a shirt for both days and you will be guided to each chapter. We will also provide you lunch on each day! Leadership Round: Wednesday and Thursday, August 19 th & 20 th Leadership round will showcase each chapter s involvement both within their chapters and on FSU s campus. There will also be a financial presentation during the time you are visiting the chapter houses. During this round, you will visit NO MORE than 13 sororities. Although Panhellenic does not give you all a shirt for each day, we expect you to continue to be in casual wear the chapters will do the same. Lunch will also be provided on each day! Service Round: Friday, August 21 st Service round will showcase each chapter s philanthropy. During this round you will visit NO MORE than 8 chapters. Sisterhood Round: Saturday, August 22 nd This is Sisterhood day. You will attend your preferential parties this day! Preference ceremonies are designed to give you a deeper look into each chapter and help you make your final decision. Bid Day! Sunday, August 23 rd It is BID DAY! We ll kick off this day by participating in the University tradition of Convocation. You will meet your small group to sit together for this ceremony. Your Recruitment Counselor will distribute bids and the chapters will meet you to welcome you into their sisterhood! 4
Schedule Conflicts: Orientation Sessions & Other Official University Commitments Although we, along with the Office of New Student & Family Programs (NSFP), strongly recommend your student complete her FSU Orientation session prior to August, if necessary, she will be able to participate in both Orientation and Panhellenic Recruitment. We work closely with NSFP to create a personalized schedule that allows her to meet both Orientation and Recruitment requirements. If your student is participating in Orientation in August, she will be assigned to a specific Recruitment Counselor who will assist her in managing her schedule for the week. She will have a busy few days, but she will have plenty of support from the Panhellenic Recruitment Staff, her Recruitment Counselor and NSFP to get her through the process. The Orientation and Recruitment events that will be listed on your student s schedule will be required. Failure to participate will not only result in your student being released from Recruitment, but will also prevent her from registering for Fall classes. Only official University commitments, illnesses and/or emergencies are considered excused absences. "University commitment" includes any University-sponsored athletic team practices, marching band rehearsals, cheerleading practices, FIG orientation, and any of the Living/Learning Community mandatory programming. Non-University commitments such as work or travel are NOT considered as excused absences. If your student has a University commitment during Recruitment, she should inform our recruitment staff upon receipt of her confirmation to participate VIA EMAIL(include email address). Generally, Recruitment schedules can be adjusted to accommodate for a limited number of absences on a case by case basis. It is important to note that many University programs (Orientation, Living/Learning Communities, Athletics, etc.) have events which are mandatory. If your student is a part of these programs during Recruitment, she must attend their scheduled activities and work with her Recruitment Counselor to submit an excused absence form for the Panhellenic Recruitment process. University Commitments: New Student Orientation Sessions Living/Learning Community Programs Freshmen Interest Group (FIG) Programs Athletic Team Practices Cheerleading Practices Golden Girl Practices Marching Band Rehearsals 5
Frequently Asked Questions Please visit floridastateph.com and visit the Recruitment tab to find FAQ s! Recommendation Information What is a Recommendation? A recommendation is a personal letter of reference provided by an alumna of a sorority to her sorority s chapter at FSU. In the rec the alumna will write about your talents and skills that will contribute to the sorority. The purpose of a rec is to simply introduce you to the sorority so that the sorority members may become better acquainted with you prior to Recruitment. How Do I Get a Recommendation? Tell your relatives and friends that you are going through Recruitment. Alumnae may send in a personal letter, or obtain a recommendation form through their sorority headquarters. Is a Recommendation Necessary for my Student to Get a Bid? No! Recommendation letters are not required to receive a bid, and you will not in any way be penalized if a letter or form is not submitted on your behalf. Will a Recommendation Ensure that my Student Receives a Bid? No. A recommendation is just a way to introduce you to the sorority in addition to the information that you have already provided during the online registration process. When and Where Should They Be Mailed? In the summer, before Recruitment begins Addresses are provided at floridastateph.com **Please visit floridastateph.com and go to the chapter profiles tab to find each address that letters of recommendation should be sent too.** Please have any recommendations sent directly to the Chapter prior to Recruitment week. All addresses are located in Tallahassee, FL 32304 unless otherwise noted. 6
Recruitment and Housing Students Living in On-Campus Residence Halls Women pre-registered to participate in Panhellenic Recruitment who will be living in an on-campus residence hall for the 2014-2015 academic year will be permitted to move into their residence hall room on Sunday, August 16 th. After registering for Recruitment, your student s registration will be shared with University Housing to verify that she is living on-campus and to guarantee her access to moving in early on Sunday, August 16 th. The only step your student needs to take to be granted this early move-in access is to register for Recruitment. Panhellenic will take care of the rest. When your student arrives on campus for move-in, she should go directly to the residence hall to which she has been assigned to pick up her keys and complete the check-in process. Guests or visitors of a residence hall student must be escorted in the hall by their resident host at all times. Guests and visitors of a resident student may not be given the resident student s key or access card or be in the hall for any reason when the resident student herself is not present with them. This includes parents/guardians and family members. Students Living in Off-Campus Housing Women living off-campus and needing accommodations for the week of Recruitment must work directly with their landlord or complex management to make appropriate accommodations. More often than not, these individuals are willing to be flexible and work with residents to adjust their move-in date for a nominal fee. If you have any questions or concerns about your student s on-campus accommodations, please contact: University Housing www.housing.fsu.edu Phone: (850) 644-2860 Fax: (850) 644-7997 Email: housinginfo@fsu.edu Scholarship Information Panhellenic is offering four, $250 scholarships to Potential New Members. To be eligible, you must register for Recruitment and attend Recruitment Orientation on August 16 th. The four scholarship prompts are based upon the four values of the Panhellenic Association: Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Sisterhood. Additional information will be available in the confirmation email that you will receive in July. 7
Financial Information: Why Membership is Worth the Cost Let s face it. These are tough economic times and everyone is feeling the financial strain. But as we look to the future and to all of the successes yet to come, we cannot ignore opportunities to invest in that future. By joining a sorority, you are not simply joining a social club and you are not just paying for friends. You are making an investment in your college experience and in your future. You are joining an organization that will help you personally and professionally grow over your lifetime. Sororities have been active at Florida State for over 100 years and even remained a vibrant part of campus life during the Great Depression. For generations, women have become members of sororities because these organizations provide opportunities for leadership development, friendship, and service that are unparalleled on campus. After graduation, you will join an international network of sorority alumnae who are finding success and making a difference every day. Sorority membership may not seem affordable now, but ultimately it is an investment. This guide contains information on the specific costs for each of the 17 organizations and breaks down the costs to show what you are actually paying for in sorority membership. How much does sorority membership cost? There are financial obligations of sorority membership. In order for the organization to function, holding philanthropies, planning community service, rewarding women for positive grades, etc., the membership must provide the revenue. Each chapter has its own budgetary needs and with those needs comes a range of dues within the community. As a new member you can expect to pay between $1,800.00- $2,700.00/per year (Out of House). If a woman chooses to live in the house, when/if the opportunity is afforded to her, she can expect her dues to be between $2,800.00-$4,800.00/year. What financial assistance or scholarships are available for sorority membership? Each member of a sorority is held to a certain financial obligation. Although each organization has a variety of options to fulfill the financial obligation, there is not an abundance of consistent financial assistance programs for women. Financial assistance programs are reserved for women who have run into an emergency situation and need aid to continue their membership, while working through the present situation. 8
What to Wear Please visit floridastateph.com and go to the Recruitment tab to find information regarding outfits. Potential New Member Contract Sorority Recruitment at Florida State University is a fantastic process and we are so glad you decided to take part in this week. The sorority experience is not a right but a privilege. These chapters on campus have been working for over a year preparing for your arrival. As an honored guest in chapter s recruiting facilities, you are to act in accordance to the following expectations: 1. I will attend all events for which I receive an invitation. 2. I will remain respectful towards myself, other potential new members, chapter members, and university staff at all times. 3. I will refrain from negative discussion pertaining to the individuals mentioned in number 2, throughout the duration of the Panhellenic Recruitment process. This includes any and all messages I choose to post via social media. 4. I will remain polite and respectful when attending all events. 5. I understand that the consumption of alcohol/substances and socializing with men are not permitted during Recruitment and/or during bid day activities. 6. I will dress appropriately for each party in accordance with the expectations for that round. This includes complying with the mandated first round t-shirt. 7. I will refrain from communication with chapter members outside Formal Recruitment events. 8. I recognize that I must have proper time management skills throughout the week (attending all recruitment counselor meetings on time, attending all events on time, etc.). 9
9. I understand that Florida State University, Panhellenic, Panhellenic Staff, Advisors, and Recruitment Counselors are not liable for the damage of my personal property that I chose to bring with me. 10. I understand that, if invited to join a chapter, I will be responsible for the financial obligations of membership. 11. I understand that if I am matched with a chapter and receive an invitation to membership, I am bound to that organization and considered ineligible for an invitation to membership from any other chapter for one calendar year. Failure to abide by the expectations stated above will result in the review of your status as a potential new member. The first offense will result is a documented verbal warning from your Recruitment Counselor. The second offense will result in a written warning from Panhellenic Recruitment Staff. The third offense will result in being released from the 2015 Panhellenic Recruitment process. If the offense is determined to be severe enough by the Panhellenic Recruitment Staff, a Potential New Member could be subject to an immediate release from the Recruitment process. By Signing this Potential New Member Contract, I understand and agree to the terms listed above. I understand that if I violate this contract, my Potential New Member status will be up for review. I also understand that it is my personal responsibility to talk with my Recruitment Counselor about any questions I might have pertaining to the Potential New Member Contract. Name: Date: Potential New Member (Print) Name: Date: Potential New Member (Sign) Name: Date: Recruitment Counselor (Print) Name: Date: Recruitment Counselor (Sign) 10
Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) Name PNM# FSU Email Address I have participated in the membership Recruitment period at Florida State University By signing this acceptance agreement, I understand and agree to the following terms. Please read and initial each of the following: I am willing to accept an invitation to membership from any women s sorority (fraternity) that I list on this agreement. I may limit my choices to just one OR list any women s sorority (fraternity) whose preference round (last) event I attended, and 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 choice(s). Once I submit this agreement to the College Panhellenic Association, I cannot change the order of my preferences or add or delete a preference. If I do not receive an invitation to membership from a group that I have listed, I am eligible for continuous open bidding. I have the option of not submitting an agreement at this time. Once I submit this agreement, I am bound by the National Panhellenic Conference one-calendar year rule. This rule states that if I receive an invitation to membership from a group that I have listed and then do not accept it, I am not eligible to be pledged to any other NPC member sorority (fraternity) on this campus for one calendar year (12 month period) from the time of this signing. Signature Date By signing this form I agree to accept a bid from any of the women s sororities I list below, and if offered, I am bound to that bid for one calendar year. I agree to the terms stated above, and I am willing to accept an invitation to membership from any of the following women s sororities (fraternities) whose preference event I attended (listed in order of preference): 1st preference 2nd preference (if attended 2 or 3 events) 3rd preference (if attended 3 events) Signature Date 11
It s All Greek to Me! Panhellenic Recruitment Vocabulary Throughout this Recruitment experience, you may encounter a number of terms and aspects of Greek life that are new to you. This overview of Recruitment vocabulary will help you to define many of the words and phrases that are common in this process. Bid- an invitation to membership in a chapter. Chapter- a local group of a national organization, designated by its own Greek letter name. Continuous Open Bidding- an opportunity for chapters who are not at quota or total to extend bids to women who did not join a sorority during formal Recruitment Colony- a new sorority being formed by their national organization. House Director/Mother- a woman who lives in the sorority house and cares for all of the women living in the sorority house. She plans meals and manages the house. Interfraternity Council (IFC)- an umbrella organization that presides over men s fraternities, each of which is autonomous as a social, Greek letter society of college men, undergraduate and alumnae. Legacy- Each organization has its own definition of a "legacy." It is generally defined as an immediate family member of an initiated member, such as a sister/brother or daughter/son. Some sororities also recognize extended family members as legacies as well. Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)- an FSU Greek governing council composed of culturally- based Greek letter organizations. PNMs do not need a Recommendation in order to receive a Bid during Recruitment. National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)- a conference body composed of delegates from the 26 women s national sororities, each of which is autonomous as a social, Greek letter society of college women, undergraduate and alumnae. National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)- a national conference body composed of the nine historically, predominately African American Greek letter organizations at both the college and alumni level. Locally, the NPHC at FSU is the governing council for seven chapters. 12
One Calendar Year- the period from a given date in one year to a comparable date in the next year. If a PNM accepts a bid on Preference night, she must wait one calendar year before she is permitted to go through the Recruitment process again. Panhellenic (PH)- Greek word meaning All Greek. Panhellenic Association- the governing body of the women s fraternities on FSU s campus. Panhellenic Exec- the nine members of Panhellenic Executive Board that lead the FSU Panhellenic Council. Potential New Member (PNM)- a woman who is participating in the Recruitment process and wishes to explore the possibilities of sorority membership. Quota- the number of new members in a Recruitment pool that each chapter takes at the conclusion of Recruitment. Quota is set at the conclusion of the Recruitment process and is based on the number of women remaining in the process in each Recruitment pool. Recommendation/ Reference- a written statement recommending a PNM for membership in a sorority/fraternity. It is not necessary for a PNM to have a recommendation. Recruitment- the process in which potential new members visit all chapters, and through a mutual selection process, finds a chapter that best suits her. Recruitment Counselor/ Rho Gamma- a neutral representative from the college Panhellenic community who guides and supports the PNM through Recruitment. 13