University of Connecticut

Panhellenic Formal Recruitment 2015

ΑΧΩ | ΑΕΦ | ΑΦ | ΔΓ | ΓΦΒ | ΚΑΘ | ΦΣΡ | ΠΒΦ

“Every Adventure Requires A First Step”

Table of Contents2 A Letter from the Panhellenic President

3 Why Join Greek Life?

4 What is Formal Recruitment?

5-6 The Four Pillars of Greek Life

7-10 Meet the Panhellenic Chapters

11 Associate Chapter

12-13 Recruitment Vocab

14 Pre-Recruitment Events

15-16 The Four Days of Recruitment17-18 What to Wear19 Panhellenic Philosophy at UConn20 PNM Bill of Rights 21-22 Frequently Asked Questions23 The National Panhellenic Conference24 The Panhellenic Council at UConn25-26 The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life27 Contact Information

A Letter From The Panhellenic PresidentWelcome home! Joining Greek life at the University of Connecticut was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself. Greek life has given me the opportunity to create

lifelong friendships, while looking for and finding a place to call my home.

What is a Panhellenic woman on the University of Connecticut’s campus? A Panhellenic woman is involved: she is actively involved within her chapter and outside her chapter. She might hold a position on the Executive Board, serve on a committee, or be an active voice in

important matters. She may be the Vice President or Social Chair of a respective club on campus. She is a tour guide, selling the amazing and unique qualities of the University of Connecticut. She is philanthropic. She holds true the values of her sorority. She puts forth

efforts to raise awareness. She stands on her feet for eighteen hours at HuskyTHON, dancing for those children of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center who can’t. She is intelligent. She is a double major, a 4.0 student, a tutor, a UConn scholar, and an active participant in classroom discussions. She holds a GPA over the All-Women’s GPA. She is resourceful and relentless in

the pursuit of academic success. She always strives for excellence. She is beautiful. Inside and out, a Panhellenic woman exhibits beauty and grace, holding attention while she speaks.

As Panhellenic women, we hold each other to high standards and expect the best of each other. Success is our only option. We have a voice within our Panhellenic council; we can make

a change as leaders in our community because we are given countless resources and opportunities. We are encouraged to break barriers and exceed the expected. The best women

go Greek. The involved, philanthropic, intelligent, beautiful women I have made connections with, within my Greek community, always amaze, but never surprise me. I am so honored to call

the Panhellenic community my home.

Jaimie FarkasPresident, Panhellenic Council

jaimie.farkas@uconn.edu

Why Join Greek Life?● To meet new friends● To gain a sisterhood● To be a part of an amazing community● To join something that’s bigger than you● To better yourself● To strengthen your academics● To network● To have fun● To enhance your college experience● To go outside of your comfort zone● To find ways to get involved in various opportunities on campus

What is Formal Recruitment?

Formal Recruitment is a process we use to gain new members in our community. It is a four day process that occurs over Labor Day weekend. During this process, you will travel to different chapters and meet members of the Panhellenic community. Each day, through mutual selection, PNMs and chapters will narrow their search to ultimately welcome women as the Fall 2015 new member class. Women are sometimes unsure if this process is right for them. We encourage you to try it out and find your home! You will meet women who could one day be your sisters for life.

Our advice: Be yourself! Experience this process with an open mind, and you will see where you are meant to be!

Every adventure begins with a first step.

The Four Pillars of Greek LifeScholarship

Holding one another to the highest standards of scholarship, acknowledging that we are students first. Panhellenic women support one another through mentor and study initiatives in their chapters. In Fall 2014, the All-Panhellenic GPA was a 3.247!

Service & Philanthropy

Giving back through donations of money, items, and time with philanthropic efforts and causes. Each chapter holds an event for their philanthropy, and women are involved in HuskyTHON, service clubs, Alternative Breaks, and other initiatives all around campus.

The Four Pillars of Greek LifeLeadership

Actively involved in leadership roles around campus to develop skills like communication, time management, event planning and implementation of new programs.

Sisterhood

Experiences in the community being enriched by themes of acceptance, friendship, and support of women in your pledge class, chapter, and in other Panhellenic sororities as well. These experiences will define your time in the community and will kindle lifelong friendships.

Meet The Panhellenic Chapters

Alpha Chi OmegaNickname: Alpha Chi

Colors: Scarlet Red & Olive Green

Symbol: Golden Lyre

Motto: Together Let Us Seek The Heights

Philanthropy: Domestic Violence Awareness

Social Media:

Twitter/Instagram: @uconn_axo

Website: alphachiuconn.org

Alpha Epsilon PhiNickname: AEPhi

Colors: White & Green

Symbol: Columns

Motto: Many Hearts, One Purpose

Philanthropy: The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Sharsharet

Social Media:

Twitter/Instagram: @aephiuconn

Website: aephiuconn.com

Alpha PhiNickname: Alpha Phi

Colors: Silver & Bordeaux

Symbol: Ivy Leaf

Motto: Union Hand in Hand

Philanthropy: The Alpha Phi Foundation, Cardiac Care & Research

Social Media:

Twitter/Instagram: @alphaphiuconn

Website: alphaphiuconn.com

Tumblr: uconnalphaphi.tumblr.com

Meet The Panhellenic Chapters

Delta GammaNickname: DG

Colors: Bronze, Blue & Pink

Symbol: Anchor

Motto: Do Good

Philanthropy: Service For Sight

Social Media: Twitter/Instagram: @uconndeltagamma

Website: uconn.deltagamma.org

Kappa Alpha ThetaNickname: Theta

Colors: Black & Gold

Symbol: Kite

Motto: Leading Women

Philanthropy: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Social Media:

Twitter/Instagram: @uconntheta

Website: uconntheta.com

Tumblr:uconn-theta.tumblr.com

Meet The Panhellenic Chapters

Gamma Phi BetaNickname: Gamma Phi

Colors: Brown & Mode

Symbol: Crescent Moon

Motto: Founded Upon A Rock

Philanthropy: Building Strong Girls

Social Media:

Twitter/Instagram: @gammaphiuconn

Website: uconngammaphibeta.com

Phi Sigma RhoNickname: Phi Rho

Colors: Wine Red & Silver

Symbol: Pyramid & Star

Motto: Together We Build the Future

Philanthropy: The American Cancer Society, Girl Scouts of America

Social Media:

Twitter/Instagram: @uconnphirho

Website: uconnpirho.weebly.com

Pi Beta PhiNickname: Pi Phi

Colors: Wine & Silver Blue

Symbol: Arrow

Motto: Friends and Leaders for Life

Philanthropy: Literacy, Read Across America, Champions Are Readers

Social Media:

Twitter/Instagram: @uconnpiphi

Website: pibetaphi.org/uconn

Tumblr: uconnpibetaphi.tumblr.com

Meet The Panhellenic Chapters

Associate Chapter What is an associate chapter? Inter/national organizations that are not member groups of the National Panhellenic Conference may have established chapters within Collegiate Panhellenic Councils. At UConn, Phi Sigma Rho is an associate chapter.

A Message From the Phi Sigma Rho President, Connie Bowman:Phi Sigma Rho is a social sorority for women in engineering and engineering technology. Through Phi Sigma Rho, our sisters develop the highest standard of personal integrity, strive for academic excellence, and build friendships that will last a lifetime. Although we do not participate in formal recruitment, we are still an associate chapter of Panhellenic. Our recruitment process includes three events focused on our ideals of friendship, scholarship and encouragement. Visit our website if you would like to be added to our email list for more recruitment information: http://uconnphirho.weebly.com/recruitment.html

Recruitment for Phi Sigma Rho will begin after Panhellenic Formal Recruitment on September 8th, 2015.

For more information, please contact Connor.Bowman@uconn.edu

Recruitment Vocab: It’s All Greek to Me Recruitment Counselor: a sorority member who is temporarily disassociated from her sorority to serve as an

unbiased recruitment guide.

Potential New Member (PNM): a woman who is not a member or new member of an NPC organization; a woman

who is eligible to participate in recruitment.

Chapter: a chartered undergraduate unit of an inter/national sorority.

Round(s): a day or days during recruitment when a potential new member visits a specific number of chapters. These

typically have themed names or may be referred to by how many chapters are visited, i.e. Scholarship, Philanthropy, Movie, & Preference.

College Panhellenic Council: an association for all of the National Panhellenic Conference chapters on a campus. This association serves as the governing body for all NPC chapters on campus and organizes the recruitment process.

Continuous Open Bidding (COB): an opportunity for chapters to recruit to quota or total following primary recruitment. This allows women who did not participate in the Formal Recruitment process to be able to join the sororities who are looking to intake more members.

Recruitment Vocab: It’s All Greek to MeBid: a formal invitation to join a sorority.

Bid Day: the culmination of the recruitment process, used as an opportunity to welcome new members to the sorority community.

New Member: a woman who has accepted a bid of membership to an NPC organization and is not yet initiated.

Preference: the final round of recruitment in which the chapter may share part of their ritual with the PNMs through a preference ceremony, more formal than the previous rounds.

MRABA: the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement. This is a one-year binding agreement signed by a potential new member when ranking chapters after preference round. A potential new member agrees to accept a bid from any chapter she lists on her MRABA. If a potential new member receives a bid to a chapter she lists and declines it, she is bound to it for one year or until the next primary recruitment period, meaning she cannot accept a bid to any other organization. If a potential new member signs a MRABA and does not receive a bid, she is eligible for continuous open bidding.

Legacy: a daughter, sister or granddaughter of an initiated member of a sorority. Typically, different groups have different definitions of legacies. Being a legacy does not guarantee a bid to a particular sorority. Each organization has its own policy for invitations to legacies during recruitment.

Pre-Recruitment Events

Panhellenic Perk: Tues. Sept. 1stCome meet the members of RMT! Bring your questions and have unbiased sorority women

answer them for you. We will be serving light refreshments.

Go Greek Info Session / BBQ: Wed. Sept. 2ndLearn about all UConn fraternities/sororities, and then enjoy delicious BBQ food while meeting members of each organization on campus! Registration closes at 11:59pm on

September 2nd.

PNM Orientation: Thurs. Sept. 3rdMeet your Recruitment Counselor and get excited! This will help you prepare for the four

days of Recruitment and answer any last minute questions you may have.

The Four Days of Recruitment

Day One: Scholarship Day● Friday, September 4th● 20 minute events● Conversations focused

around academics● Chapters introduce PNMs

to their academic plans and goals as well as GPA requirements for membership

Day Two: Philanthropy Day● Saturday, September 5th● 30 minute events● Conversations focused on

the chapter’s philanthropy● Includes a video & craft

pertaining to each philanthropy

● Discusses each chapter’s financial obligations/dues

The Four Days of Recruitment

Day Three: Movie Day● Sunday, September 6th● 40 minute events● Watch a sisterhood video,

get to know more about the bonds and being in a sorority

● Conversations focused on the chapter’s sisterhood events that occur each semester

Day Four: Preference Day● Monday, September 7th● 50 minute events● Chapters show potential

new members a glimpse of their ritual

● Conversations focused on what it means to be a member and sister for life

● Light refreshments served

What To Wear

Scholarship Day● Casual, comfortable● Save your feet...don’t wear heels!

Philanthropy Day● Similar to Scholarship Day, comfy

and casual!

What To Wear

Movie Day● Anything appropriate for a

business casual event or sundresses

Preference Day● Anything appropriate for a

business casual event or sundresses

Panhellenic Philosophy at UConn

Here at UConn, our Recruitment philosophy is participate in “full faith.” This means PNMs are strongly encouraged to attend all events they are invited to. By participating in “full faith,” PNMs will have the opportunity to experience every chapter, maximize their options, and make an informed decision by the end of Recruitment.

PNM Bill of Rights Each Potential New Member has the right to…● Be treated as an individual● Be fully informed about the recruitment process● Ask questions and be given truthful answers from RMT● Be treated with respect, as a mature and capable person● Ask how and why and be given truthful answers● Have unbreakable confidentiality when sharing information with RMT ● Make informed choices without undue pressure from others● Make your own choices and decisions, and accept full responsibility for

those choices and decisions● Have a positive, enriching and safe experience during Recruitment and

New Member Periods

Frequently Asked QuestionsIs there a grade point average (GPA) requirement to participate in Recruitment?Panhellenic does not require a specific grade point average to participate in recruitment as each organization makes its own membership decisions. However, each sorority has a minimum grade requirement to be considered for membership and initiation. The average grade requirement to join is around a 2.7 GPA. It is important to understand that if your GPA is lower than the average chapter requirements, the likelihood that you will be offered membership greatly decreases. Your GPA will be verified by UConn and provided to the sororities prior to the beginning of the Recruitment process.

What if I have a prior commitment and am unable to attend a day of Recruitment?Talk to your recruitment counselor! She will have information on the director(s) to contact as well as excuse forms to fill out. You are still eligible to participate in recruitment even if you miss a day as long as you fill out the appropriate paperwork.

What makes every chapter different?While most chapters are founded on similar principles (sisterhood, scholarship, leadership etc.), each chapter has it’s own unique qualities. Each chapter hosts their own philanthropy event which raises money for their individual causes. By going through formal recruitment, you can experience every chapter and learn about their unique qualities and values.

Frequently Asked QuestionsIf the sorority I join has a house in Husky Village, do I have to live there?Sororities at UConn do not require members to live in the House, unless a member holds a particular position. If members do not wish to live in Husky Village, they do not need to. If members would like to live in Husky Village they are more than welcome to apply for housing. However, UConn Residential Life does not allow first year students to live in Husky Village. Some chapters that do not have housing in Husky Village have floors in Towers Residence Hall, which allows for other opportunities to live with sisters!

I will be a ( junior, senior) this fall. Can I participate in Recruitment?Of course! We encourage all unaffiliated women enrolled at UConn-Storrs to participate in formal Recruitment.

Will being in a sorority affect my grades?Scholarship is one of the pillars of Greek Life at UConn. Last fall, the All-Panhellenic GPA was 3.247. Education comes first. In fact, many sororities require their members to have a specific GPA in order to gain and maintain membership within that organization. Chapters offer a variety of academic support to their members and give academic incentives to those who do well academically.

Will I be hazed?We strive to treat everyone with dignity and respect. UConn has a strict zero tolerance policy against hazing. All organizations are fully aware of the conduct process, which if found responsible for violating the Student Code, will be sanctioned. Sanctions could result in loss of University recognition.

The National Panhellenic Conference

The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is the guiding force behind its 26 member organizations. Founded in 1902, NPC is the representative voice on current issues surrounding Panhellenic women. As a whole, NPC represents over 4 million women at 650+ colleges and universities, as well as over 4,500 alumnae chapters in the US and Canada. Every year, NPC Collegians and Alumnae complete over 500,000 hours of community service, as well as donating over $5 million to philanthropic causes and providing $2.8 million in scholarships.

The Panhellenic Council at UConn

Stay up-to-date with pre-recruitment events and more exciting news via:Website: ucpanhellenic.org

Facebook: UConn Panhellenic CouncilTwitter/Instagram: @UCPanhellenic

Pinterest: pinterest.UCPanhellenic.com

Fraternity and Sorority Involvement

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL) is the home base to over 30 recognized social fraternities and sororities at UConn. While OFSL supports the growth, development, and success of councils and chapters through advising, we provide service, educational, leadership and personal development opportunities for all members in various forms. To name a few, members of our Greek community have taken advantage of the following opportunities:

Greeks Against Sexual Assault (GASA)Greek Alternative Break

Greek Emerging Leaders ConferenceGreek Emerging Leaders Program

Greek Community Affairs BoardHuskyTHON

Fraternal Values SocietyOrder of Omega

Gamma Sigma AlphaRho Lambda

Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI)

...and the list goes on!

Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life

In addition to Greek life, we find our students to be engaged across several campus organizations, from student employment, cultural centers, research, study abroad, athletics and more. We encourage our community to take advantage of the many opportunities at UConn. This is what we believe enhances the sorority/fraternity experience. As you glance through this booklet, OFSL strongly encourages you to think about your passions, what motivates you, and what you wish to accomplish upon the completion of college career. We want to see you become the person you aspire to be. We are here for you!

Todd C. SullivanDirector of Fraternity and Sorority Life

todd.c.sullivan@uconn.edugreeklife.uconn.edu

Contact Information

Danni MaloneAssistant Director

PNM Communication and Registrationuconnrecruitment2015@gmail.com

Cathy CormierVice President of Recruitment

UConn Panhellenic Councilcathleen.cormier@uconn.edu

Avery Moses Director

PNM Communication and Registrationuconnrecruitment2015@gmail.com