RECRUITMENT RULES OF Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION

Transcription

1 RECRUITMENT RULES OF Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS We, the members of women s sororities Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi agree to promote honesty, respect, sisterhood and cooperation within the College Panhellenic and our respective chapters and in our daily lives. This code of ethics is designed to inspire our members, reinforce exemplary conduct and values-based leadership, and perpetuate lifelong membership to enrich the sorority and Panhellenic experience. We, as Panhellenic women of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, agree on and commit to: Uphold and demonstrate the Panhellenic spirit in thought, word and action through our chapters as well as individual members. Demonstrate ethical behavior and conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with the mission and values of the College Panhellenic, each inter/national organization and our institution. Respectfully adhere to the Unanimous Agreements and all policies established by the National Panhellenic Conference. Avoid disparaging remarks about any sorority or collegiate woman and refrain from discussing Panhellenic matters with nonmembers, in accordance with the dignity and good manners of sorority women. Recognize friendly relations with all collegiate women, both sorority members and nonmembers, realizing the importance of creating and building friendships. Plan recruitment events that provide opportunities for the greatest possible number of women to become sorority members while protecting the rights and privileges of individuals and the chapters. Provide a safe, positive and enriching recruitment experience, understanding that membership is a social experience arrived at by mutual selection. Strive to be truthful, honorable, open and friendly to all potential new members during all recruitment events. Be respectful of the rights of every potential new member to make her own choices, including the right not to join the women s sorority community. Refrain from limiting a potential new member s chances of becoming a member of the Panhellenic community by encouraging her to make a single intentional preference or to limit her choices. We, as Panhellenic women of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, also agree on and commit to: Respectfully adhere to the bylaws and recruitment rules of the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Panhellenic Association. Abide by all local and federal laws and NPC inter/national member organization bylaws. Hold one another accountable to these standards, remembering at all times that we represent not only our individual chapters but also the Panhellenic community as a whole. As Panhellenic women of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, these are the tenets by which we strive to live. Date Adopted: May 16th, 2014

2 I. Statement of Positive Panhellenic Contact NOTE: All member organizations are expected to display ethical behavior at all times. Ethical behavior means adhering to local Panhellenic rules as well as NPC policies. It means holding yourself and others accountable to make good choices in your actions. Ethical conduct promotes parity for all member organizations through fair play. We, the women of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi will promote panhellenic-spirited contact with all potential new members throughout the year. Strict silence will begin at 10 am on August 28, 2016 and last until bid distribution 6:30 pm on August 28, No sorority member, including alumnae and new members, may communicate or live with potential new members during this period. Strict silence is defined as verbal, nonverbal, written, printed, text message and electronic communication or communicating through a third party. If potential new members live in a residence hall with sorority members, only casual greetings and contact are permitted. II. Statement of Adherence to NPC Unanimous Agreements and Policies Regarding Recruitment All NPC member organizations represented at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi believe in strictly adhering to NPC Unanimous Agreements and policies. All organizations will follow these valued and non-negotiable policies during the recruitment process. III. Statement of Values-Based Recruitment NOTE: The purpose of values-based recruitment is to focus on meaningful conversations with potential new members and recruiting/pledging women who will have a positive impact on chapters and the Panhellenic community. All NPC member organizations represented at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will promote the following practices during membership recruitment: 1. Engage in values-based conversations. 2. Choose recruitment activities and behaviors that reflect the core values of our organizations. 3. Make informed choices, based on shared values, about potential new members. 4. Educate potential new members about the values, benefits and obligations of sorority membership. In accordance with NPC policy, Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi recruitment events do not include skits, elaborate decorations and costumes. IV. Statement of Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) The Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Panhellenic will uphold and use the membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement (MRABA) for each potential new member interested in joining a sorority, whether during formal or informal recruitment. We agree to all policies and steps pertaining to the MRABA. V. Statement of Automatic Reset of Total Total is the allowable chapter size as determined by the College Panhellenic. To allow chapters to achieve parity as quickly as possible, total will be automatically adjusted every regular academic term. This is to be done no later than 72 hours following bid distribution in the academic term that primary recruitment is held and within one week (no more than seven days) from the start of the academic term(s) in which primary recruitment is not held. Total will be determined by median chapter size.

3 Local Recruitment Rules Recruitment is defined as one or more sorority members meeting together with potential new members to promote the interest of a particular sorority according to the National Panhellenic Conference Unanimous Agreements. All recognized Panhellenic chapters must abide by all National Panhellenic Conference Unanimous Agreements (Manual of Information, 21st Edition 2016). It is in accord with the dignity and good manners of fraternity women: a. To avoid disparaging remarks about any fraternity or college woman; b. To create friendly relations between fraternity and non fraternity women; c. To avoid negative publicity on Panhellenic matters. A. Recruitment Dates 1. Recruitment shall be held beginning Thursday, September 8th, 2017 and concluding on Bid Day, Sunday, September 10th, B. Potential New Member (PNM) Guidelines 1. A PNM shall register for Formal Recruitment by completing a Panhellenic Recruitment Registration Form on the Panhellenic Council webpage and paying a registration fee of $ Greek Life at TAMUCC requires a 2.5 minimum cumulative college credit GPA required by the university to participate in recruitment. This includes first year students who transfer dual enrollement or other credits, their collegiate GPA will determine their eligibility to particiapte. 3. A PNM shall not be, or have ever been, an INITIATED member of a National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) group at TAMUCC or on any other campus. 4. A PNM who has been a new member of an NPC group and dropped before being inititated, shall not participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB) or Formal Recruitment again within the same calendar year. 5. A PNM shall attend the mandatory recruitment orientation meeting on Thursday, August 27th, Failure to do so will result in the PNM being withdrawn from Recruitment. In the event of an emergency, the PNM shall notify the Greek Life Office. 6. No PNM may accept a personal invitation to a Recruitment function/or non-recruitment functions from a sorority member. PNMs are required to report any illegal invitiations (e.g. fraternity parties, lunch or any kind of social event, etc). 7. A PNM will electronicly sign a Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) immediatly after the last party she attends on Preference Night (this will happen after she has ranked her last two parties on Pref Night). 8. A PNM will consult with her Gamma Chi (Recruitment Counselor) before withdrawing from Recruitment and must sign an official withdrawl card and evaluation. 9. No PNM shall give a promise, verbal or written, to join a certain Panhellenic group before formal bids are extended through Panhellenic. 10. After receiving a bid to a Panhellenic sorority, a PNM must still abstain from interacting with men or consuming alcohol for 24 hours. 11. Any PNM who is living with a sorority member is expected to conform to all rules of Formal Recruitment. 12. If a PNM does not follow these guidelines, she may be withdrawn from Recrutiment at the descretion of the Panhellenic VP Recruitment, Panhellenic President and Panhellenic Advisor.

4 13. In support the following National Panhellenic Conference agreements no PNM shall have contact with men or consume alcohol starting from the day of PNM orientation to 24 hours after bid day concludes. i. Each College Panhellenic Association shall prohibit the use of alcoholic beverages in membership re cruitment and Bid Day activities. ii. Each College Panhellenic Association shall prohibit the participation of men in membership recruitment and Bid Day activities. C. Sorority Member Guidelines All members (including alumnae and new members) are responsible for knowing and observing the Recruitment Rules. 1. No sorority members may visit PNMs in her place of residence from the start of work/polish week and ending after conclusion of bid day activities. 2. A sorority member living with a PNM shall not invite other sorority members to the PNMs place of residence, nor shall she organize any social meeting between PNMs and sorority members. 3. No member may issue an ivitation of any sort or make appointments to meet a PNM anywhere for any reason. 4. No member may arrange a date for a PNM. 5. No member shall give anything to a PNM, or vice versa (e.g. a Dr. Pepper or a candy bar). 6. There will be NO PROMISING OF BIDS, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY by a member or alumna of a Panhellenic group. 7. There shall be no hot boxing of a PNM, defined as 3 or more sisters from the same sorority talking to one PNM at the same time. 8. Panhellenic women, in each respective chapter, may not purchase shirts for the sole use of Recruitment unless previously worn on 2 formal, orgnized events the semester prior (Philanthropy, Sisterhood, Islander Revue). 9. Only Panhellenic representatives, alumane and intitated members of the sorority may assist with Recruitment during the Formal Recruitment process. National sorority representatives and alumnae must be identified as so by their nametag (provided by the sorority). 10. Panhellenic women participating in any aspect of Recruitment are not allowed to have ANY contact with the Gamma Chis (Recruitment Councelors) beginning during work/polish week and ending at the time bids are extended. This includes visiting, hanging out and or contacting a Gamma Chi. Notify the Panhellenic VP of Recruitment, Panhellenic President or Panhellenic Advisor for extenuating circumstance. 11. Sorority Recruitment Chairs shall abide by the times agreed upon for turning in party lists and ending parties. a. There shall be a fine of $3.00 per minute for the first hour and $4.00 per minute after that for late party lists. b. There shall be a fine of $30.00 for any party that lasts more than the designated time (starting early or ending late). 12. No food or drink shall be purchased and given to PNMs during parties. Food and drink will only be purchased for active chapter members and to be eaten during periods of time parties are not taking place. 13. Chapters that do not pledge quota may offer bids to women who have participated in the Recruitment process through snap bidding.

5 14. Chapters that do not pledge quota or pledged quota but did not reach total, may take additional new members through Continuous Open Bidding (COB). COB may begin as soon as bids have been extended. The purpose of COB is to provide maximum opportunities for membership to the greatest number possible and is encouraged to all sororities on campus below Panhellenic total. Any matriculated, unaffiliated female student is eligible for COB. Recruitment rules regarding men and alcohol during the recruitment process are to be followed. 15. No sorority women are allowed on fraternity property, have contact with men or consume alcohol during the entire recruitment process until 24 hours after bid day. This will be strictly enforced. 16. There shall be no hazing during formal recruitment or any other time thereafter. The University defines haszing as: Hazing that causes or permits an individual, with or without consent, to engage in activities that subject that individual or others to risks of physical injury, in connection with recruitment, initiation, or continued membership of a society, fraternity or sorority, club, or similar organized group whether or not recognized by the University. 17. No sorority member is allowed to discriminate against a PNM on the basis of race, religion, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation. 18. No sorority will bring balloons or glitter into the University Center. 19. Recruitment videos must be approved by the set deadline, and cannot be changed or edited once approved. 20. Recruitment videos will be a minimum length of 5 minutes and no longer than 10 minutes. 21. Sororities may start working on recruitment videos at any time, and should be largely values based. 22. Recruitment videos that are not submitted by the assigned Deadline will accumulate a fine of $25 per day that the recruitment video is late, starting the day following the deadline. 23. Sorority women must use proper Panhellenic Recruitment terms (this includes lyrics in songs, chants or skits). Incorrect: Girl Boy Panhel Pledges Pledge Period Pledge Mom Rush Rushee Suicide Independent Greek System Party Correct: Women Men Panhellenic New Members New Member Period New Member Educator Recruitment Potential New Member Single Intentional Preference Non-Affiliated Greek Community Social Function

6 D. Panhellenic Spirit Contact Guidelines 1. Normal Contact is defined as normal day-to-day contact with potential new members. This may include, but is not limited to, working with a PNM during class, saying hello on campus and encouraging involvment in Panhellenic. Do not act secretive like you are giving the PNMS special attention, say hello in a normal fashion and carry on. 2. Social Mediai. Sorority members following incoming Freshmen/PNMs on any social media site (twitter, instagram, snapchat, facebook, including all other social media) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED until AFTER the end of formal recruitment. No sorority member shall favorite/like/mention any Freshman/PNM on any form of social media at any given time, ONLY EXCEPTION is keeping the conversations informative, i.e. If a PNM directly asks you a question regarding recruitment, you may answer. PNMs are supposed to make their on decisions regarding which Panhellenic group to join. Contact from any sorority member prior to the first recruitment event leads in a bias in her judgement. ii. Sorority women shall not be involved/helping with any form of IFC recruitment. Mentioning/giving shout outs/using hastags to promote any IFC/MGC group by any sorority member is STRICTLY PROHIBITED during the perceived recruitment period. This time period would include summer. However, mentioning the council IFC/MGC page is allowed. 3. Silence Period is designated as the period of time beginning on the first day of Spirit Week in which PNMs should not have contact with any sorority member, new members, or alumnae. i. No member of a Panhellenic group shall promote their chapter in any way outside of the designated Recruitment parties. There will be NO phone calls to PNMs; NO initiation of unnatural forms of communication (NO letters, s, IMs sent to PMNs, no facebook, twitter, instagram communication or other social media); NO talking about sororities or individual members of sorority; NO eating meals with PNMs. ii. In accordance with I. Statement of Positive Panhellenic Contact, during the time when Preference Round ends until bids are extended, there shall be no conversation or contact with PNMs by active chapter members, new members or alumnae. E. Gamma Chi Guidelines 1. Gamma Chis shall not wear or carry identifying insignia during the Formal Recruitment period. This includes car decals. 2. Gamma Chis shall not participate in Spirit Week/Recruitment practice. 3. All Gamma Chis shall attend educational sessions in the Spring and Fall unless special permission has been granted by the Panhellenic VP of Recruitment. 4. Gamma Chis shall not have any contact whatsoever with sorority members as outlined in Part C, #9. 5. Gamma Chis must have their facebooks and other social media set to protected before orientations begin and remove any sorority affiliation 30 days prior to recruitment. 6. Gamma Chis shall abide by all NPC rules and shall perform their duties as unbiased counselors, acting always in the spirit of Panhellenic. F. Jurisdiction of the Recruitment Rules 1. Recruitment rules are in effect from the beginning of work week UNTIL 8 AM the Monday after bid day. 2. Recruitment Rules may also be enforced during recruitment events or the perceived recruitment period, ie. Summer orientations.

7 II. Recruitment Infractions A. Handling Infractions of the Recruitment Rules 1. The following people are allowed to submit a College Panhellenic Violation Report (, Manual of Information, 21st Edition 2016); Chapter president, Panhellenic officer in charge of recruitment, Gamma Chi, PNM or Chapter advisor. 2. When a member group of Panhellenic believes there had been an infraction, a written report, signed by the accusing sorority President (or appropriate person, see #1) and those who witnessed the alleged infraction. 3. Reports must be turned into the Panhellenic President within thirty (30) calendar days of the occurrence of the alleged infraction. 4. The Panhellenic President has the responsibility of notifying the accused sorority and NPC Area Advisor, and delivering a copy of the infraction report within one week of receiving it. 5. A mediation between the representatives of the groups involved shall be called by the Panhellenic President within the next seven days after the accused sorority has received a copy of the accusation. All possible atempts to reach an amicable solution within 60 minutes must be made. 6. If the representatives of the groups involved cannot reach an amicable solution, the case must be referred within 24 hours to the Panhellenic VP of Judicial for a decision. B. Fines associated with Infractions of the Recruitment Rules. Each fine is assessed case by case and the value written below is the starting fine for that infraction. Multiple cases of the same infraction will likley result in a higher fine. The list serves as a baseline for infractions as multiple infractions may fall under one title. Infractions may also be given from any infraction list located in the recruitmnet rules. The list includes, but is not limited to: 1. Turning in budgets late: $50.00/day 2. Not following budget: $50 3. Unclear budget: $25 4. Using incorrect recruitment terms: $10 5. Improper conversation: $50 6. Bid Day Infractions: $25 7. Late party lists: $3/minute for the first hour, $4/minute after that 8. Party Extension Infractions: $30 9. Breaking no contact/social media rules: $ Association with Fraternity Men: $ Breaking Code of Ethics Rules: $ Bid Promising/Perceived Promise: $ Gifting to PNM s: $ Breaking UC Rules and Guidelines: $ Glitter use: $ Shirt Infraction: $ Failure to meet Recruitment video deadline: $25 per day C. Fines Associated with Specific Infractions of Gamma Chis including door knockers and recruitment assistants. Each fine is assessed case by case and the value written below is the beginning fine for that infraction. Multiple cases of the same infraction will likley result in a higher fine. The list serves as a baseline for infractions as multiple infractions may fall under one title. Infractions may also be given from any infraction list located in the recruitmnet rules. The Gamma Chi is not held responsible under the Panhellenic Council, the Sorority Chapter will accept any fine assessed during mediation or Judicial hearing. It is the

8 responsibility of the sorority to assign fines or punishment to her members.these cases are approved by VP Recruitment. The list includes, but is not limited to: 1. Missing Workshop Day without excuse: $15 2. Using incorrect recruitment terms: $10 3. Biased remarks or conversations with PNM: $20 4. Breaking disaffiliation rules: $15 5. Missing from post or set meeting locations: $10 D. Fines Associated with Specific Infractions of Sorority Chapters. Each fine is assessed case by case and the value written below is the beginning fine for that infraction. Multiple cases of the same infraction will likley result in a higher fine. The list serves as a baseline for infractions as multiple infractions may fall under one title. Infractions may also be given from any infraction list located in the recruitmnet rules.the Sorority is resposible for communicating to appropriate officers when filing an infraction and communicating to responsible members within the chapter. The list includes, but is not limited to: 1. Slander against another sorority or sorority entity: $50 2. Improper conversation about another sorority: $20 3. Posing questions or asking information of another sorority to PNM: $50 4. Décor/theme infraction of another sorority: $10