Oklahoma City University Sorority Formal Recruitment

PANHELLENIC COUNCIL

FORMAL RECRUITMENT

GUIDE 2017

ALPHA CHI OMEGA * ALPHA PHI * GAMMA PHI BE TA * PHI MU

A M ESSAG E FROM OU R R EC RU ITM EN T OFFIC ER Welcome, Star!

for everyone! Because each of our sisterhoods

Each of the four chapters is

On behalf of the Panhellenic

has something unique to

full of strong women that

Community, I would like

offer, every woman in

will encourage you in all of

to welcome you and let

our community has found a

your endeavors and enrich

you know how ecstatic we

house that they proudly call

your life every day. Formal

are that you have chosen

their home.

recruitment is an exciting

Oklahoma City University as

WEL COM E TO

Sorority Life

time to get to know your

your new home. I am even

When you take the first step

fellow freshman women and

more delighted that you are

toward joining a sorority by

more than forty percent of

considering joining one of our

going through recruitment,

the female population on

four amazing sisterhoods,

you are not just choosing

OKCU’s fantastic campus.

which make up the largest

which Greek letters you will

There is truly nothing to lose

student organization on

wear, you are becoming a

by going through Formal

you in achieving more than

part of something that is

recruitment, but so very

you ever thought possible.

far greater than yourself.

much to gain! Get ready

Joining a sorority will enrich

to meet new friends, make

Within our four Panhellenic

your college experience

memories, and have fun!

sororities, we have women

academically and socially,

represented from nearly

and will inspire you to grow

every field of study,

into the woman you hope to

athletic team, and student

become. The bonds you form

Erin McDermitt

organization on campus,

with your sisters are not ones

Panhellenic Council Vice

so there is a perfect fit

that last four years, but are

President of Recruitment.

campus.

The OKCU sorority community is recognized as one of the finest in the country, with numerous chapters and individual members earning national awards in the areas of scholarship, community service, and leadership each year. Whether your passion is academia, performance, service, fellowship, leadership, or athletics, joining a sorority can assist

ones that will last for life.

Best Wishes,

OKCU Panhellenic Council NAT IONA L PA N H E L L E NIC CON F E R E NCE

A Message From Our President

including Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Pi Beta Phi, to

The National Panhellenic

discuss their similarities and the

Conference (NPC) is an

honor of belonging to a women’s

organization that oversees and

fraternity both for their time

supports the growth of twenty-

and still today. As time went on

six sororities and women’s

NPC began to organize, creating

fraternities both nationally and

councils at universities and

internationally. NPC holds

colleges where these women’s

these individual organizations

fraternities existed.

to high standards, and ensures that women are able to gain an enriching and rewarding

PANHE LLENIC AT OKCU

experience through women’s

We value scholarship because

Panhellenic to me means coming

college is a time to learn and

together with women that share

grow as students, and discover

the same love for sisterhood and

what it is we are meant to do.

believe in the power of belonging

We value leadership; through

to a women’s fraternity. Each

women’s Greek Life each woman

fraternity has a rich history full

is able to develop fully into the

of strong minded and courageous

best version of herself. Sisters

women. Women’s fraternities

are always there to encourage

choosing to join together and

each other to get involved and

create the NPC furthered the

become strong leaders. Lastly

growth and strength of the

we value service that above

fraternal bond. It has been such a

many things women’s Greek

privilege to serve on Panhellenic

representatives from each of

women’s Greek Life experience.

Life never hesitates to give

Council and to find women who

the sororities, and each woman

Without the existence of

back. Each sisterhood invests

are both mentors and friends

is chosen to be a voice and

the Panhellenic Council, our

time into raising money for their

throughout women’s Greek

embodiment of her own chapter

sororities would not be given the

philanthropy, and completing

Life. Being on the council has

on the council. The council

supportive environment needed

community service hours.

shown me, while we all have

discusses matters such as

to grow. The Panhellenic Council

Through these values women in

our strengths, together we are

recruitment, scholarship, social

at OKCU believes in all that it

OKCU Greek Life are all able to

able to become more; striving

events, and philanthropy, and is

means to be a part of a sorority

achieve more as individuals, and

to create a strong Panhellenic

then able to ensure all chapters

and works to continue to make

create an experience that lasts

community. We each have

are meeting the higher aims that

the opportunity available for

far beyond their four years at

found our own homes to grow

women for years to come.

OKCU.

as women and build lifelong

fraternities during their college

At Oklahoma City University the

all sororities wish to fulfill. At

years. Panhellenic focuses on

Panhellenic Council exists to

OKCU, the Panhellenic Council

what we all have in common.

oversee the four sororities on

supports all the sororities in their

At Oklahoma City University the

Panhellenic that each sisterhood

Historically NPC began when

campus: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha

individual goals and is always

Panhellenic Council and values

is able to remain strong.

Kappa Kappa Gamma invited

Phi, Gamma Phi Beta, and Phi

working to find innovative

sisterhood and the lifelong bond

six other women’s fraternities,

Mu. The council consists of three

ways to improve the quality of

and memories that come with it.

memories, but it is through

Isa Ramirez Panhellenic Council President

Welcome from Greek Life detail, as it will answer to many of the questions you will have regarding Greek Life. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact your Rho Gamma or the Panhellenic Council Advisor.

Any women with special needs due to health or disability are

• Your student ID Number (B-Number). Your B-Number is a nine-digit number starting with the letter B. • Your high school information, including your GPA • Your t-shirt size • Your honors, activities, or service experience Plan to register for everything in one sitting; if you close your application it will not be saved and you will have to start from the beginning.

encouraged to contact the OKCU Panhellenic Council Your first week of college is one of the most exciting weeks you will have in your college career, and taking the leap to participate in Formal Recruitment may be where you meet your new best friend! Should you choose to accept a bid to one of our four amazing chapters, you will join the long legacy of OKCU Greek students who have focused their lives around the values of leadership, scholarship, service, and sisterhood.

The Panhellenic Council at OKCU facilitates a fully structured recruitment process during Stars Week, the week before classes start in the Fall. Please take the time to review this guide in

at 405.208.6287. We want everyone to have an outstanding recruitment experience!

The OKCU Panhellenic Council Advisor and Rho Gammas are here to assist you in the recruitment process and to help you get adjusted during your first few days at OKCU. Don’t

Contact Information 405.208.6287 ljharrel@okcu.edu Find us on Facebook at OKCU Sorority Recruitment 2017

be your new sisters soon!

recruitment is available online at okcu.edu/students/greeklife.

Registration will open on April 10, 2017, and will close on August 15, 2017, at 11:59p.m.

The following information will be required for registration:

FOR FOR M AL R E CRU I T M E N T

okcu.edu/students/greeklife

hesitate to say hello, we just may

Registration for Formal

Register

Once you have completed your registration application, a confirmation email will be sent to you over the summer. Remember to check your OKCU email regularly to see any updates or information you might need!

To register, visit: okcu.edu/students/greeklife/panhellenic > Click the “Online Registration” link > Fill in required information

Formal Recruitment

Schedule of Events

EV ERYTHING YOU NEED TO K NOW

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15

PARENT & FAMILY INFORMATION SESSION: GREEK LIFE (parents & family only) 3:00-5:00 pm Meinders School of Business

G RE E K L IFE IN FORMATION MEETING (student event, parents & family welcome)

M U T UAL SEL ECTION PRO C E SS

many chapters as possible during

and during Formal Recruitment.

their recruitment experience.

Use this time to make new

7:00-8:00 pm Petree Recital Hall, Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center

AC ADEM IC STAN DAR D S

friends in all the organizations on Formal Recruitment is a mutual

There is no guarantee that a

selection process that balances

woman will receive a bid to any

the preferences of each potential

sorority. However, if a PNM

new member with those of our

attends all the events she is

sorority chapters. The OKCU

invited to and is invited to a party

Panhellenic Council attempts to

on Preference Night (Round

give each potential new member

three) and lists those chapters on

(PNM) the opportunity to find

her preference sheet that night,

the sorority that best suits her

she will receive a bid to one of

individual interests, personality,

those chapters.

and values, while providing an objective and organized

There is no specific formula or

membership selection process

reason to explain why a woman

for the chapters.

is released from a particular chapter, or why a woman prefers

Invitations are only guaranteed

one chapter to another. It is the

to potential new members for

goal of the OKCU Panhellenic

the first round, which begins on

Council to make every effort

Wednesday, August 15th. There

to provide the opportunity for

is no guarantee that a PNM will

each PNM to join her chapter

be invited to attend the second

of choice, but there are no

or third round. Invitations to

guarantees a young woman will

subsequent rounds are made

be placed within that specific

based entirely on both the

sorority. However, there are four

preferences of the PNMs and of

outstanding options at OKCU

the chapters. PNM schedules

and there is no bad choice. It is

will be maximized so they are

important to keep an open mind

able to able to get to know as

during your first week in college,

campus!

RE COMME N DATION LE TTERS A letter of recommendation is written by an alumna member of an organization for the purpose of introducing a woman to a chapter. If you have family members or friends who have told you that you need a recommendation letter to get into a sorority, no need to worry!

Fortunately, recommendation letters do not play a large role in the recruitment process at OKCU. If someone is interested in providing you with a recommendation letter, they can be mailed directly to:

[Organization Name] Attn: Recruitment Chair 2501 N Blackwelder Oklahoma City, OK 73106

The OKCU Panhellenic Council does not set any academic conditions for potential new

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PNM ME ETING 5:30-6:30 pm Watson Lounge, Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel

OPE N HOUSE-ROUN D ON E 6:30-11:00 pm Panhellenic Quad

members to participate in our recruitment process. However, it is important to understand that each chapter has grade point average requirements set by its headquarters and local chapters. It is possible, but

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extremely rare, for exceptions to

PNM ME ETING 3:30-4:10 pm Watson Lounge, Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel

PHI L ANTHROP Y N IGHT-ROUN D TWO 4:10-9:00 pm Panhellenic Quad

be made to these guidelines. If your high school or college GPA is below a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), you may have significantly fewer opportunities than participants with higher GPAs. Potential new

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members who do not meet the

PNM ME ETING 4:30-5:10 pm Watson Lounge, Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel

PRE FE RENCE N IGHT-ROUN D THREE 5:10-10:00 pm Panhellenic Quad

minimum academic requirements of a specific chapter are typically released early in the recruitment process to allow these women to explore other alternatives.

After accepting membership in a chapter, there are academic requirements for women to stay active in the chapter. The GPA requirements differ from chapter to chapter.

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BI D DAY !

10:00 am Great Hall

Sorority Life EV ERY THING YOU NE ED TO K NOW

S C HOL A R SHI P

SISTERHOOD

Scholarship is an important

How do they do this? Sororities

Joining the Greek system gives

aspect of any college

concentrate on creating

you the opportunity to create

organization, but OKCU

successful scholarship programs

a unique and special bond with

Panhellenic women have taken

that help each member reach her

women in your organization.

their commitment to scholarship

academic goals. Some of these

One of the greatest aspects

to the next level! Panhellenic

programs include study buddies

of joining a sorority is making

women have consistently

and academic tutors. Each

new friends that will last long

outperformed their all-women

chapter takes great pride in their

after you graduate from OKCU.

and all-campus counterparts,

academic accomplishments and

Sisterhood means more than

recording an average 3.52 GPA

makes a priority to encourage

wearing the same Greek letters,

over the course of the past 10

academic excellence in their

attending meetings and going

semesters.

members.

to socials. It is about developing the camaraderie and sense of belonging that will impact your college years and your life beyond.

Sororities were founded as social

GPA

organizations, and learning to interact in these environments will help you in your professional and personal life outside of college. Our events support the important goal of bringing people together to develop bonds and friendship.

SEMESTER

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

expensive. However, rates are reduced significantly the second

The financial requirements of

year and beyond. Payment

joining a sorority vary from

options vary from chapter to

chapter to chapter. Dues

chapter also, but many of our

obligations associated with being

consist of expenses related

chapters offer payment plans.

in a sorority.

to membership fees and

All financial information for each

cost of maintaining meeting

chapter will be discussed during

house facilities. There are also

formal recruitment. Feel free to

occasional one-time fees to

ask any questions you have about

cover the cost of various things

the financial commitment to have

such as initiation badges, meals

a clear picture of the investment

and events. Typically, the first

you are making. It is important

year of membership is the most

to consider all of the financial

Sorority Life EV ERY THING YOU NE ED TO K NOW

SERVICE & PHILANTHROPY

L E A DE R S HI P Leadership is acquired through

all OKCU student athletes are

One of the most enriching

hands-on experience, and OKCU

members of Greek Life.

aspects of being involved in a

sororities offer just that to their

Each organization offers dozens

sorority is the unique opportunity

members. Chapters encourage

of opportunities for their

to work as a group to make the

their members to get involved

members to take on leadership

world a better place. All of the

and to maximize their potential

roles. Additionally, each chapter

sororities at OKCU make service

in their chapter and on campus.

offers programming targeted

a priority in their activities and

Almost forty percent of all OKCU

to leadership development and

for their members. Sorority

current student organization

cultivating the skills that will

women volunteer their time

presidents and thirty percent of

enable their members to excel.

and raise money for a number of important local and national causes. Our women donate hundreds of hours and thousands

Did You Know Did you know your experience in Greek Life can help you outside college too? A recent national Gallup-Purdue Index found a relationship between Greek Life and post-graduate

of dollars in an effort to improve

Homecoming is a competitive

their community. It is the ideal

time, it brings everyone together

of many of our organizations to

by uniting us as a student body

Spring Sing is a campus-wide

around the school so it feels nice

instill a sense of responsibility

that loves our university. Other

event where all the houses

to give back to our community.

in our members to enrich their

than showing campus pride,

compete in a friendly way as to

world.

Homecoming is fun! You learn

who can put on the best musical

things about your organization,

production. It is so refreshing

the university, your peers, and

to hear the talents of all the

yourself that you would not have

different houses on campus and

known otherwise and you create

the event draws each house

Homecoming is an amazing

bonds that will last your entire

closer. Judges select the best

time on campus. It’s really a

time on campus. Homecoming

Production as well as Blue Key

time when organizations work

is part of what makes being an

Honor Society, who produces the

together to show everyone what

OKCU star so spectacular!

event, selects the Best in Show

success. The study found that respondents who identified themselves as Greek scored better in overall well-being, workplace engagement, emotional support from their college, experiential learning experience as a student, and alumni attachment. For more information, click here.

HOME COMING

OKCU means to them. While

SPR ING SING

awards. The event is also a great way to help philanthropies all

N EW M EM B ER M EETING S

R EC RU ITM EN T TR AIN ING

SC HOL A R S H I P School always comes first

As a new member, you will

Throughout the year,

for Greek students. Our

be required to attend weekly

chapters host recruitment-

Greek population includes

new member meetings in

training programs to help

almost every major available

addition to weekly chapter

their new members prepare

on OKCU’s campus, and our

meetings. The goal of these

for Formal Recruitment in

results show that students

meetings is to teach new

the Fall. New members are

involved in Greek life excel

members about the values,

expected to be in attendance

academically. Sororities will

traditions and rituals of their

at these events.

give extra attention to new

sorority.

PH IL AN TH ROPY EV EN TS

members to ensure that

AC TIV E PARTIC IPATION

Expectations

Each of our Greek chapters

encouraged to participate in

devotes time and energy

campus-wide events, such

to supporting their own

as Homecoming, Spring Sing

local and/or national

and Relay for Life. These

philanthropies. Each chapter

events offer new members

will host events each

a chance to engage with the

semester to raise awareness

university and to get to know

and donations for the cause.

people outside of their Greek

New members are invited

membership.

to attend and participate in these events to socialize within the community and to promote a necessary cause.

position them for success in their first year with the organization.

New members are

NEW M EM BER

school is their focus and to

University Policies & Codes NAT IONA L H AZI NG PR E V E N T ION WEEK

DRUG S & AL C OHOL

policy concerning these actions will be subjected to University

Oklahoma City University is a “dry

sanctions, as well as possible civil

Greek Life supported National

campus” and the use, possession,

and criminal penalties.

Hazing Prevention this past year

manufacture, or distributions of

by raising awareness about the

tobacco, drugs, and/ or alcohol, is

contrary purpose hazing has on our

strictly prohibited. Furthermore,

Find more information on all

community. The OKCU Panhellenic

providing these substances on or

OKCU’s Policies and Codes by

Council started off the week by

off campus is strictly forbidden.

clicking here.

tabling outside the OKCU Cafeteria

If you sense a student is violating

and using a social media campaign to discuss what sisterhood and friendship meant to them. Using the hash tag "hazingendswithus" our Panhellenic women came out and explained what sisterhood really meant to them.

HAZ ING POLICY

this policy you should contact the Dean of Students Office.

Oklahoma City University has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing that is consistent with Oklahoma state law. Hazing is contrary to the purposes of the Greek community and the University. Hazing is not tolerated. If you sense a student may be participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a sorority or fraternity, you should contact the Dean of Students Office. Calls will be handled in a discreet manner.

The Student Code of Conduct States: “Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical

DISC R IM INATION, H AR ASSM EN T, R ETAL IATION, & V IOL ENC E Oklahoma City University has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or violence.

Allegations of such conduct will be investigated and anyone found to have violated the University’s

health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliations with, or as a condition of membership in, a group or organization. The express or implied consent of the victim shall not be a defense. Neither apathy nor acquiescence in the presence of hazing is a neutral act; both are violations of this rule.”

Alpha Chi Omega "TOGETHER L ET US SEEK THE HE IGHTS"

Alpha Phi " U N ION H AN D IN H AN D "

NATIONA L F OUNDI NG

NATIONAL FOU N DING

October 15, 1885

October 10, 1872

DePauw University

Syracuse University

OKC U C H A P T ER

OKC U C H APTER

Gamma Tau

Delta Delta

Chartered in 1955

Chartered in 1961

C OL OR S

C OL OR S

Scarlet Red & Olive Green

Silver & Bordeaux

S Y M B OL S

SY M B OL

Lyre & Pearl

Ivy Leaf

FOU N DI NG VALUES

FOU N DING VALU ES

Wisdom, Devotion, Achievement

Sisterhood, Leadership, Service, Scholarship, Loyalty, Character

MOTT O

Development

"Together let us seek the heights."

PHIL A N T HROP Y Domestic Violence Awareness

MO TTO "Union hand in hand."

PH IL AN TH ROPY The Alpha Phi Foundation

ΑΧΩ

ΑΦ

Gamma Phi Beta " T O I N SPI RE THE HIG HEST TYPE OF WOMANHO OD "

PhiMUMu PHI " TH E FAITH FU L SISTER S"

NAT IONA L FOUNDI NG

NATIONAL FOU N DING

November 11, 1874

March 4, 1852

Syracuse University

Wesleyan College

OKC U C H A P TER

OKC U C H APTER

Beta Omicron

Epsilon Epsilon

Chartered in 1951

Chartered in 2013

C OL OR S

C OL OR S

Light & Dark Brown

Rose & White

S YM B OL

SY M B OL

Crescent Moon

Quatrefoil

FOUN DI NG VALUES

FOU N DING VALU ES

Love, Labor, Learning, Loyalty

Love, Honor, Truth

MOT T O

MO TTO

"To inspire the highest type of

"The faithful sisters."

womanhood."

PHI L A N T HROP Y

PH IL AN TH ROPY Children's Miracle Network

Building Strong Girls

ΓΦΒ

ΦΜ

Round One

Wear

W HAT TO

Here are some examples of what kind of attire you might see for each round of recruitment! However, feel free to wear what you feel comfortable in and what best reflects you. We will give you more examples on the OKCU Recruitment 2017 Facebook page and at the Greek Information Meeting during Stars Week.

Preference Night Round Two

Bid Day

Frequently Asked Questions

ALUMNAE Members of a sorority who have graduated.

chapter, as well as the chapters

BID

change at any time.

An invitation to membership

IFC

BID DAY

umbrella organization for the

The last day of recruitment that includes activities hosted by each

BIG SIS/SISTER The new member selects an active

Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is an informal recruitment process that takes place after fully structured recruitment in the fall and lasts throughout the school year. Please keep in mind that not all chapters can or will participate in Continuous Open Bidding.

Please see more information about

can still be eligible to accept a bid. However, please keep in mind there is no guarantee that any chapter will be eligible to participate in COB.

I am a performance major, will I have time to be able to be in a sorority and keep up with my classes and rehearsals?

she is interested in COB, she

discuss how we can change your schedule so that you can still

herself how much she can manage

parties can affect the number of

with the time she has. However, it

houses you are invited back to.

major on campus, and many also

Panhellenic Council Advisor. If

Advisor, at 405.208.6287 to

note, failure to attend invited

What if I decide I don’t want to participate in sorority recruitment? Can I still join a sorority?

she must check out with the

J. Harrel, Panhellenic Council

Each woman needs to decide for

can be said that our sororities host

from Formal Recruitment,

It depends. Please contact Levi

participate in Recruitment. Please

COB in the “Greek Terms” section.

If a woman decides to withdraw

I have a scheduling conflict during recruitment rounds, can I still participate?

members from every performance hold leadership positions within their chapter. If this is something that concerns you and you want to know more about it, don’t hesitate to talk to your Rho Gamma, who can give you a clear picture of what it looks like to be a performer and a Greek woman on OKCU’s campus.

Is it better to sign up early or during Stars Week?

The earlier your register for Formal Recruitment, the better. This gives Greek Life enough time to process your information and ensures that

participating in COB, is subject to

extended to a prospective member.

chapter.

What if I want to be in a sorority but I'm not interested in participating in Formal Recruitment?

The availability within each

member to serve as their Big Sister.

This initiated member serves as a

Interfraternity Council. The fraternities at Oklahoma City University.

A new member of a fraternity/

INITIATION

sorority aspiring to become an

A spiritually based ritual which

initiated member.

marks the acceptance of a lifetime commitment to the sorority.

PANHELLENIC COUNCIL The governing body of the

LEGACY

National Panhellenic Conference

solver for the new member.

Someone whose mother or sister

sororities at Oklahoma City

are members of a particular

University.

CHAPTER

Greek-letter organization.

resource, role model, and problem

The local group of undergraduate

PNM MEETING HOUSE

A potential new member. This is

Houses where individual sororities

someone who is considering being

the inter/national organization.

meet for their weekly meetings

a part of Greek life or participating

and other functions.

in recruitment.

CONTINUOUS OPEN BIDDING (COB)

MRABA

RECRUITMENT

An informal recruitment process

Membership Recruitment

The organized period for the

that takes place after fully

Acceptance Binding Agreement.

recruitment of prospective

structured recruitment in the fall

It’s the dOKCUment a potential

new members. For Panhellenic

and lasts throughout the school

new member signs to make her

sororities, Formal Recruitment

year. Sororities may extend a bid

final selections during recruitment.

occurs during SRCS Week each

to a potential new member at any

This is a legal binding agreement

fall semester.

time if the chapter is eligible for

and details about this document

COB and chooses to participate.

can be found by clicking here.

students on a particular campus recognized by the university and

RHO GAMMA A Rho Gamma is a Recruitment

you will be able to get a t-shirt in the size you want.

NEW MEMBER

Guide. She is a neutral sorority

Greek Terms

member who is available for guidance through the Formal Recruitment process.