RECRUITMENT 2017 GUIDEBOOK ΑΧΩ ΑΕΦ ΑΦ ΑΞΔ ΔΔΔ ΔΓ ΚΑΘ ΚΔ ΚΚΓ ΦΜ ΦΣΣ ΠΒΦ ΣΑΤ Cornell University Panhellenic Association Spring Sorority Recruitment
Table of Contents Welcome to Recruitment................................... 1 The Panhellenic Association........................................4 About Meet the Chapters................................................ 5 us Housing &Meals..................................................9 Finances....................................................... 10 Sorority Life: What s in it for Me?.................................. 11 Schedule............................................12 Details Recruitment Recruitment Overview............................................15 Recruitment Contacts............................................ 17
Welcome to Recruitment Fraternities and sororities commonly use Greek letters in their names. This stems from the study of classics in the late 1700s and the introduction of fraternities and sororities to college campuses. 1 Greek alphabet Alpha (al-fa) Α Beta (bae-tah) Β Gamma (gam-ma) Γ Delta (dell-ta) Δ Epsilon (epp-see-lon) Ε Zeta (seah-tah) Ζ Eta (ate-ah) Η Theta (thea-tah) Θ Iota (i-o-tah) Ι Kappa (cap-pa) Κ Lambda (lamb0da) Λ Mu (mew) M Nu (new) Ν Xi (zigh) Ξ Omicron (o-me-cron) Ο Pi (pie) Π Rho (roe) Ρ Sigma (sig-ma) Σ Tau (taw) Τ Upsilon (upp-see-lon) Υ Phi (figh) Φ Chi (kigh) Χ Psi (sigh) Ψ Omega (o- meg- a) Ω vocabulary Active: A formally initiated member of a fraternity or sorority with full chapter privileges and responsibilities. Alumnus (NA): A fraternity or sorority member who has graduated from college. Badge: The pin or badge is worn to designate an active or alumna member of a sorority. New members have a similar badge. Bid: A formal invitation to membership in a fraternity or sorority. Big Sister: An active member assigned to assist and advise a new member. Chapter: A chartered undergraduate or alumna group of an international fraternity or sorority.
Welcome to Recruitment Colony: Status of a new chapter prior to installation. Greek: A term applied to members affiliated with social fraternal organizations, most of which have Greek letter names. Initiation: A formal ceremony whereby a new member learns the secrets and rituals of the organization she has been pledging and becomes an active lifetime member. Legacy: The granddaughter, daughter or sister of an initiated sorority member. New Member: A member of a sorority who has accepted a bid but has not yet been initiated. New Member Education Period: The time of education about the history, traditions, and goals of the sorority between accepting a bid and initiation. Panhellenic: Governing body of all chapters of the National Panhellenic sororities on campus. Potential New Member (PNM): Any woman interested in becoming a sorority member and participating in recruitment. Preferential Bidding System: A process of mutual selection used during Formal Recruitment to match a sorority and potential new member preferences. Preference: The final round of recruitment events after which PNMs sign an agreement listing the remaining chapters in order of preference. Recruitment: The process by which potential new members are introduced to the Greek community at Cornell and have the opportunity to interact with and get to know sorority members. 2
Welcome to Recruitment On behalf of the Cornell Panhellenic community, we would like to extend you a cordial welcome to Recruitment 2017! We are so excited that you are interested in joining Cornell s Greek community. Cornell Panhellenic is the governing body of 13 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities. Joining a sorority is more than just joining a social organization; each sorority has something unique to offer. A sorority membership can provide you with many opportunities for community service, leadership development, academic excellence and lifelong friendships. We would like to encourage you to make the most of your recruitment experience by keeping an open mind and positive attitude throughout the process. We also challenge you to take the time during recruitment to fully understand the commitment you are considering of sorority membership. The recruitment process can seem confusing and well, a little overwhelming at first. Because of this, we have developed this guide to help you navigate this experience and answer the questions you may have about joining a sorority. If you have further questions please check out www.cornelluniversitypanhellenic.com. Sincerely, NATASHA WISSMANN, Class of 2017 Panhellenic President We hope your first semester here at Cornell was amazing and that you are excited to enter a new chapter of your Cornell experience by participating in Panhellenic Recruitment. Joining a sorority gives you the opportunity to meet an incredible group of women and create a home away from home during your time here at Cornell. Panhellenic Recruitment is your method of finding that home and beginning to foster the relationships within this community that will enhance the depth of your Cornell experience. Being a part of the largest women s organization on campus opens many doors, giving you the opportunity to become involved and gain leadership experience both within and outside of the Greek community. Each Cornell Panhellenic woman prides herself on the ability to balance academics, campus involvement, Greek involvement, and often, athletic involvement. We invite you to learn more about this enriching community through Formal Membership Recruitment and hope that you choose to become a part of the Greek community here at Cornell. All the best, MADALYN BAEHRE & ANDREA OSBORNE, CLASS OF 2017 Panhellenic Vice President of Formal Membership Recruitment & Vice President of Recruitment, Publicity and Extension
The Panhellenic Association The National Panhellenic Council, founded in 1902, is an umbrella organization of twenty- six international women s fraternities and sororities. Each member group is autonomous as a Greek- letter society of collegiate members and alumnae members. Members are represented in over 650 university campuses and 4,500 alumnae chapters in the United States and Canada, comprising over 4 million women worldwide. Each year, NPC- affiliates collegians and alumnae donate more than $5 million to worthy causes, provide $2.8 million in scholarships to women, and volunteer 500,000 hours in their communities. The Cornell Panhellenic Association is the governing organization of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities currently on campus. The Panhellenic Association is responsible for organizing activities of mutual concern and interest for all NPC sororities on campus. Panhellenic Executive Board The Panhellenic Executive Board is a group of nine women who serve as the governing body over the thirteen Panhellenic sororities at Cornell. They are disaffiliated from their chapters during recruitment and will be available to answer questions you may have about the recruitment process and the Panhellenic community at Cornell. The Panhellenic Creed 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 inspires by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through the mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live. 4
Chapters Alpha Chi Omega Founding: DePauw University, 1885 Cornell Founding: 1984 Philanthropy: Domestic Violence Awareness ΑΧΩ Nickname: Alpha Chi Colors: Scarlet Red & Olive Green Alpha epsilon phi Founding: Barnard College, 1909 Cornell Founding: 1920 Philanthropy: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDs ΑΕΦ Nickname: AEPhi Colors: Green & White Alpha phi Founding: Syracuse University, 1872 Cornell Founding: 1889 Philanthropy: The Alpha Phi Foundation for Cardiac Care Research Nickname: Alpha Phi Colors: Silver & Bordeaux ΑΦ
Chapters Alpha xi delta Founding: Lombard College, 1893 Cornell Founding: 1918 Philanthropy: Autism Speaks ΑΞΔ Nickname: AXiD Colors: Blue & Gold Delta delta delta Founding: Boston University, 1888 Cornell Founding: 1913 Philanthropy: St. Jude s Children s Hospital Nickname: Tri Delta ΔΔΔ Colors: Silver, Gold & Blue Delta gamma Founding: The Lewis School for Girls, 1873 Cornell Founding: 1885 Philanthropy: Service for Sight Nickname: DG Colors: Bronze, Blue & Pink ΔΓ 6
Chapters Kappa alpha theta Founding: DePauw University, 1870 Cornell Founding: 1881 Philanthropy: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Nickname: Theta ΚΑΘ Colors: Black & Gold Kappa delta Founding: Longwood University, 1897 Cornell Founding: 1885 Philanthropy: Prevent Child Abuse, Girl Scouts of the USA, Children s Hospital of Richmond at VCU & Orthopedic Research Awards ΚΔ Nickname: KD Colors: Olive Green & Pearl White Kappa kappa gamma Founding: Monmouth College, 1870 Cornell Founding: 1883 Philanthropy: Reading is Fundamental (R.I.F.) Nickname: Kappa Colors: Light Blue & Dark Blue ΚΚΓ
Chapters Phi mu Founding: Wesleyan College, 1852 Cornell Founding: 2014 Philanthropy: Children s Miracle Network Hospitals Nickname: Phi Mu ΦΜ Colors: Rose & White Phi sigma sigma Founding: Hunter College, 1913 Cornell Founding: 2011 Philanthropy: Kids in Need Foundation Nickname: Phi Sig Colors: King Blue & Gold ΦΣΣ Pi beta phi Founding: Monmouth College, 1867 Cornell Founding: 1919 Philanthropy: Read > Lead > Achieve Nickname: Pi Phi Colors: Wine & Silver Blue ΠΒΦ 8
Chapters Sigma delta tau Founding: Cornell University, 1917 Philanthropy: Prevent Child Abuse America Nickname: SDT ΣΑΤ Colors: Café au Lait & Old Blue * Note that the chapter houses d epicted for Alpha Chi Omega and Phi Mu are the buildings that these chapters will occupy starting in the 2017-18 school year, but are not the buildings they will each be recruiting out of. Housing & meals In the Panhellenic Community, living in a sorority house provides chapter members an alternative to on- or off- campus living at Cornell. Some, though not all, require members to live in the house at least one year. For many members, the chapter house provides a home away from home, a place to study or relax with friends, whether or not they decide to live in. The chapter house also provides an alternative to campus meal plans, eating out, or cooking in the residence hall or apartment. Meals at the house provide a time to hang out with other members and enjoy everyone s company. Meal plans range in the number of meals per week, depending on the chapter. For detailed information on living in the chapter houses, please refer to the individual chapter contacts. 9
Finances Each chapter has a financial obligation, which should be taken into consideration before joining a sorority. Make sure that you understand all the required expenses before committing to join. You will receive financial information during recruitment. If you have any questions, please ask the sisters of the chapter you are visiting. Your Recruitment Counselor will also be able to help. If your parents or guardians are responsible for your financial support, be sure to discuss all required expenses with them before you join. Each sorority varies in expenses and the manner in which they are charged. A range and an average of typical semester are provided below. The fees go towards anything from the national dues to money for social events with each sorority allocating finances differently. Financial breakdown New Housing Dining Dues Social Damage Activity Member Live In Live Out Live In Live Out Fee ΑΧΩ 564 3800 200 2044 0-2044 529 155 150 30 ΑΕΦ 346 2625 526 2625 115-355 240 500 200 ΑΦ 650 3500 160 1300 375 80-425 ΑΞΔ 260 3750 337.5 2350 200 90-345 250 ΔΔΔ 436 2850 20-150 2237 122-2237 120-792 350 ΔΓ 259.15 2373 1420 55 100-250 100 500 ΚΑΘ 427 2700 1550 116-750 522 540 ΚΔ 477 3402 225 2609.5 0-2609.5 125-292 122 150 175 ΚΚΓ 678 3070 270 2300 270-2300 87-487 500 ΦΜ 509.5 n/a 75 n/a 329-400 100 ΦΣΣ 330 3470 200 2200 965 200-450 150 ΠΒΦ 660 2125 107 2125 50-220 175 500 ΣΑΤ 290 3175 265 2290 130-2290 155-485 400 250 Avg. 452.8 3070 2087.5 427 * The above fees are for the 2016-2017 academic year and are subject to change for future years. The New Member column only includes one time fees incurred within the first year of membership. Individuals will also pay live- out fee, chapter dues, activity fee, etc. Damage amounts are paid only once. All fees are per semester except the activity fee.
Sorority Life: What s in it for me? scholarship Academics and grades are the mainstays of college life, and the sororities at Cornell recognize the importance of scholarship. Above all else, you are attending college for academics and learning. Each individual chapter has academic requirements for membership and strives to assist their members with their studies through programs and tutoring. In the 2015-2016 academic year, the average Panhellenic Council GPA was 3.475. Tradition Each chapter member helps to leave a legacy with the campus and chapter as they contribute to the dynamic group. You can help to model the way for the next group of members and college students. You can be part of a tradition at Cornell that is 140 years old. leadership Greek life abounds with opportunities to get involved in leadership within each chapter, as well as on campus. Officer positions are available in each chapter as well as committee work and council involvement. Chapters also have educational programming, which will help you know the opportunities available to you. Sisterhood Sisterhood means more than wearing Panhellenic letters, attending meetings, and going to social events. It is the feeling of being yourself and being respected for your individuality. It is the feeling of knowing you can count on your sisters in good times and in bad. Sisterhood is making friendships that will last a lifetime. Service & philanthropy Giving back to the community is an essential part of the chapter membership. Sororities at Cornell spend thousands of hours each semester doing community service projects and raising money for charitable causes. Each chapter has its own philanthropy, which it serves at the local and national level. In the 2015-2016 academic year, Panhellenic chapters raised $351,089 and spent 21,374 hours doing community service and advocacy work.
Schedule Mandatory orientation meeting Wednesday, January 18th Arrive 6:30pm Meeting starts 7:00pm Rho gamma program: This meeting is where you will meet your recruitment counselors, or rho gammas. A rho gamma is an upperclassman member of a sorority who serves as a counselor to potential new members during the recruitment process. They disaffiliate from their particular chapter in order to remain neutral and unbiased to all potential new members. The counselors are assigned to potential new member groups, where they answer questions, meet together, and serve as a resource for women interested in joining a sorority. The counselor program has been designed by Panhellenic to support potential members before, during, and after the recruitment process and to address all questions and concerns. Your Rho Gamma will be a valuable resource to you during recruitment. For more information on the Rho Gamma program, contact Andrea Osborne at ado22@cornell.edu. T- shirt design: Front (top) Back (bottom) What to wear: Open house Thursday, January 19th Events from 10am 5:40pm Friday, January 20th Events from 10am 4:40pm 19 th & 20 th : Rho Gamma meeting at 9am Panhellenic T- shirt. Dress comfortably in a short sleeve t- shirt included in your registration fee. Round description: What to wear: Casual attire. During Open House, you will visit all 13 chapters, and have one on one conversations with sisters. Many chapters share a story about their sisterhood. The cost of lunch is already included in your recruitment fee and you will have a scheduled break at which time you will eat on central or north campus. Remember to stay warm! 12
Chapter experience Saturday, January 21st Rho Gamma meeting at 8am Events from 9am 6:40pm What to wear: Casual. Wear what you would wear on a first date or out to lunch with friends. A casual shirt or sweater with boots or flats is common. Round description: During Chapter Excellence, chapters may provide you with a tour of their house and you will be provided information on chapter finances and what it is like to live in a sorority house. You will go to a maximum of 10 chapters this day. Feel free to ask questions. You have a scheduled break for lunch. However, lunch will not be provided. Philanthropy & values Sunday, January 22nd Rho Gamma meeting at 9am Events from 10am 5:10pm What to wear: Dressy Casual. Dress like you are going to a family holiday gathering or nice restaurant. A top with dark pants or a casual dress is common for this round. Round description: Schedule * The following outfits are provided as examples of a wide range of attire that is appropriate for recruitment. It is not suggested that you purchase new clothing or change your personal style to suit the descriptions. The intention is merely to showcase how formal each day is. During Philanthropy & Values round, you will learn the national and local organization s charity efforts. Each chapter hosts events to support their causes you will be learning more about these opportunities. You will also learn about each chapter s values. You will attend a maximum of 6 chapters this day.
Schedule Preference ceremony Monday, January 23rd Rho Gamma meeting at 10:30am Events from 11:30am 5:25pm What to wear: Semi- formal. Dress like you are going to a wedding or a formal banquet. Many women wear dresses or nice pants with heels, but anything equally formal is acceptable. Round description: During Preference Round, you will be part of traditions and rituals that represent the chapters. This round is the most serious of the events. Preference Ceremony focuses on what you will gain out of joining a sorority as well as the connections you have made thus far. You will attend a maximum of 3 chapters. Directly following your last event, go to Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room to sign you Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA). Tuesday, January 24th Bid day Chapter events start at 7pm What to wear: When you get to your new chapter, you will be provided with a shirt, so dress comfortably! Description: On Tuesday, you will enjoy this final and most exciting day of recruitment. You will meet with your Rho Gamma group to receive your bid, which will include details for your Bid Night celebrations during which you will meet your sorority and all of your new sisters. Again, please note participation in Formal Recruitment is a mutual selection process and bids are not guaranteed. What s next? After receiving a bid, your 4- week new member period begins. Each new member will attend weekly meetings in order to fulfill the sorority s requirements for initiation, including knowledge of the sorority s history, purpose, and goals. New member retreats, study breaks, meals, philanthropy activities, and social functions allow your new member class to bond as you prepare for initiation. Cornell s policy states that absolutely no hazing is allowed. 14
Recruitment Overview Description Formal Recruitment is the main process that National Panhellenic sororities at Cornell use to recruit new members. Formal Recruitment is conducted during the spring semester, beginning with Kickoff on Thursday, January 19 th, and concluding with Bid Day on Tuesday, January 24 th.the week consists of four rounds of events that allow potential new members the opportunity to learn about each sorority at Cornell as well as what it means to join a sorority. During the recruitment events, women will have the opportunity to ask questions about sorority activities, financial obligations, new member programs, scholarship, philanthropy, and sorority life in general. It is important to recognize that Formal Recruitment is a mutual selection process. All women will visit every chapter during the first round (Open House), but the remaining rounds are by invitation only. Just as the sororities are narrowing down the number of invitations to each round of events, potential new members are making selection based on the chapters they visit that day. The Panhellenic VP of Formal Membership Recruitment and the Rho Gammas will explain the process in detail throughout the week of Formal Recruitment. Participation in Formal Recruitment does not guarantee you an invitation to join a sorority, nor does it oblige you to join. Eligibility for recruitment You must: Be a fulltime enrolled Cornell undergraduate student Register and pay fees (consult the financial breakdown) Be a second semester freshman or older (based on credits) Cannot have previously been initiated into an NPC sorority 15
Recruitment Overview PNM 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 recruitment counselors 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 and express opinions to recruitment counselors The right to have inviolable confidentiality when sharing information with recruitment counselors The right to make informed choices without undue pressure from others The right to be fully informed about the binding agreements implicit in the acceptance card signing The right to make ones 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 new member experience Registration To participate in Formal Recruitment, a student must be a full- time, undergraduate woman enrolled at Cornell and be registered with Cornell Panhellenic Recruitment. To register, go to www.cornelluniversitypanhellenic.com. Registration is open now and closes January 18 th, 2017 at 9:00pm. The cost to register is $48 on or before January 1 st, 2017 and $53 to register January 2 nd through January 18 th, 2017. Potential New Members are encouraged to register as early as possible. 16
Recruitment Contacts As you think about joining the Panhellenic community, you may have questions about the recruitment process, specific chapters, costs, housing and all other elements of being a sorority woman at Cornell. The Panhellenic Recruitment Team is here to answer any questions you have! Please feel free to reach out to Madalyn Baehre, VP of Formal Membership Recruitment we are happy to help you from registration all the way through accepting your bid to join the Cornell Panhellenic Community. Madalyn Baehre Panhellenic Vice President of Formal Membership Recruitment mmb296@cornell.edu Kara Miller Associate Director Fraternities, Sororities & Independent Living, Panhellenic Advisor ksm39@cornell.edu Andrea Osborne Panhellenic Vice President of Recruitment, Publicity & Extension ado22@cornell.edu 17 Sorority Recruitment hotline: (607) 279-8987