2021 SFA Recruitment Booklet

PANHELLENIC COUNCIL

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

SFA sororities

Stephen F. Austin State University Fraternity and Sorority Life has four councils—the Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council.

Three of these councils have sororities. Below you can find out more about the other sororities!

national pan-hellenic council This council is made up of three fraternities, and four sororities.

They are historically African-American, but membership is open to all.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Nickname: A-K-A) Founded: January 15, 1908 / Colors: Salmon Pink and Apple Green Symbol: Ivy Leaf / Chapter Name: Eta Epsilon

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Nickname: Delta) Founded: January 13, 1913 / Colors: Crimson and Cream Mascot: Elephant / Chapter Name: Theta Gamma

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (Nickname: S-G-Rho) Founded: November 12, 1922 / Colors: Royal Blue and Gold Mascot: Poodle / Chapter Name: Lambda Nu

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Nickname: Zeta) Founded: January 16, 1920 / Colors: Royal Blue and Pure White Symbol: Dove / Chapter Name: Psi Delta

multicultural greek council This council is made up of two fraternities, and two sororities.

They are historically Latino/a, but membership is open to all.

Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. (Nickname: K-D-Chi) Founded: April 6, 1987 / Colors: Pink and Maroon Mascot: Penguin / Chapter Name: Phi

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (Nickname: L-T-A) Founded: December 1975 / Colors: Burgundy and Gray Symbols: Pearl, Shell, Moon and Palm Tree / Chapter Name: Eta Zeta

Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc. (Nickname: Gamma) Founded: April 9, 1990 / Colors: Shocking Pink and Majestic Purple Mascot: Purple Panther / Chapter Name: Theta Beta

table of CONTENTS Panhellenic

01

Dear Potential New Member

02

Executive Board

03

What Does Panhellenic Do?

04

Panhellenic Creed

04

Meet the Rho Gams

05

Recruitment

07

Schedule

08

Letters of Recommendation and Legacy Statement

09

Potential New Member Bill of Rights

10

Rules and Policies

11

Academics

12

Financial & Housing Commitments

13

Meet the Sororities Alpha Chi Omega

16

Chi Omega

17

Delta Delta Delta

18

Delta Zeta

19

Zeta Tau Alpha

20

Terms to Know and Greek Alphabet

21

Frequently Asked Questions

22

01

pan h e lle nic

DearPOTENTIAL NEW MEMBER, 02

We’d like to congratulate those of you who are new Lumberjacks and welcome back returning Lumberjacks! Your time spent at SFA will be the best time of your life, so take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Panhellenic recruitment is a great way to either begin or further your involvement during college. The sorority experience has given us so many memories, friendships and opportunities.

SFA Panhellenic is composed of five wonderful sororities, all of which excel in academics, philanthro­ py and service work, and serving as leaders on campus. The Panhellenic GPA is regularly higher than the SFA women's average, our sororities contribute tens of thousands in annual donations to their philanthropies, spend countless hours serving the Nacogdoches and East Texas communities, and are involved as Orientation Leaders, Jack Camp counselors, Jack Walkers - and the list goes on!

Our advice to you is to take advantage of every moment you spend in a house during formal recruitment. Take time to get to know the women in each chapter and find out what makes them unique. Remember to have a positive attitude and an open mind when visiting the chapters. These women can become your friends, your mentors and, more importantly, your sisters.

On behalf of the SFA Panhellenic Council, we are so excited to have you join us for fall recruitment.

We encourage you to review this booklet, as it has been designed to answer most of your questions about sorority recruitment and membership at SFA. We hope you make the most of this phenomenal opportunity, and we cannot wait to welcome you to our Panhellenic community.

Axe ‘em, Jacks!

Kaylee Walden Vice President of Recruitment

Iris Rios President

Iris

Kaylee

03

Panhelleni c EXECUTIVE BOARD President Marketing

VP Recruitment Elementary Education

Secretary Human Development and Family Studies

Treasurer Psychology

Programs Business

Public Relations Speech Pathology

04

WhatPanhellenic does do?

The Panhellenic Council at SFA is the coordinating and governing body of the five NPC-affiliated sororities on campus. The council is composed of six executive board members who are elected annually by each chapter’s Panhellenic delegate. The council acts as the central governing body of the Panhellenic community and serves as the face of Panhellenic to the university and Nacogdoches communities. Along with Panhellenic-wide program planning and management, they are in charge of organizing recruitment, including compiling and publishing recruitment materials for incoming students and training recruitment counselors to ensure potential new members have a positive recruitment experience. Finally, the Panhellenic Executive Council represents all sororities at regional and national meetings and represents all sorority women by serving on university committees.

Serving on Panhellenic’s Executive Board is just one of the many leadership opportunities afforded to SFA’s Panhellenic women. All of the women on the executive board have served as an officer or committee member in some capacity within their own chapters.

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 inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.

Meet theRHO GAMS 05

Rho Gammas are women from each Panhellenic chapter who are disassociated from their own chapters during recruitment to provide you support and guidance throughout the week. Rho Gams who have returned to serve a second term are marked with a *!

Alyssa & Lexi

Caroline & Carly

Jessa-Claire* & Abbey

Megan R. & Megan L.

Alexis* & Sarah S.

Ashlyn* & Danielle

Nicolle* & Kasey

06

Avery & Edie

CorrinNe & Payton

Jillian & Emma

Maggie & Tara

Natalie & Samantha

Reagan & Maureen

Sam & Sarah P.

Sara K. & Ireland

07

Fall Primary RECRUITMENT Schedule

5

Days

Informati o nal Sessi o n Prior to recruitment 08

We host a mandatory informational session before recruitment on Zoom, and we offer multiple day and time options to fit your schedule. The session will go over pertinent recruitment information to help you throughout the week.

16 17 18 &

Round 1: Philanthropy

Round 2: Sisterhood

Over the course of two days, each potential new member will visit all five sororities for 55 minutes. You will learn more about the chapter and their philanthropy.

Potential new members will visit up to four sororities for 45 minutes. You will be able to see the individuality and spirit of each chapter as well as experience the special bond of sisterhood.

Attire You will wear the Panhellenic-provided Tshirt, cute bottoms, and comfortable shoes like a cute pair of sandals or sneakers.

19

Round 3: Preference Potential new members will visit up to two sororities for 55 minutes. This round focuses on sisterhood, friendship, ritual and the core values of the chapter.

Attire This will be the dressiest evening. Think a semi-formal dress or jumpsuit paired with wedges, heels or high-quality flats.

Attire We recommend a “dressy casual” outfit, so think a nice top with jeans and flats or sandals.

20 Bid Day!

This is the day that you will receive an invitation to membership, or bid, from one of the sororities! After receiving your bid, the sorority you have joined has a fun day planned with exciting activities for you!

Attire Wear a white tank top or T-shirt, shorts and comfortable shoes or sandals. You will receive a T-shirt from the sorority you join to change into!

Need outfit inspiration? Follow our Pinterest page at SFAPanPR!

LettersRECOMMENDATION of 09

Recommendation letters are not a requirement to participate in recruitment at SFA. Recommendation letters serve as an introduction of a potential new member to a sorority. If you choose to submit them, we ask that they be provided to the chapter(s) before Aug. 1 to ensure that they have been received prior to the start of primary recruitment.

Each sorority manages their recommendation/reference letters differently. For questions about recommendation or legacy introduction forms, we highly recommend that you review the chapter’s website or contact the national office of that particular sorority.

Alpha Chi Omega

Zeta Tau Alpha

Preferred format: Online through the membersonly portal found at alphachiomega.org Who Can Submit a Rec: Collegiate and alumnae members in good standing Legacy Information: Can be provided in the online recommendation form

Preferred format: Online through the membersonly portal found at zetataualpha.org Who Can Submit a Rec: Alumnae members in good standing Legacy Information: Can be provided in the online recommendation form

Chi Omega

Preferred format: Online through the membersonly portal found at chiomega.com Who Can Submit a Rec: Alumnae members in good standing Legacy Information: Can be provided in the online recommendation form

Delta Delta Delta Preferred format: Online through the membersonly portal found at tridelta.org Who Can Submit a Rec: Collegiate and alumnae members in good standing Legacy Information: Can be provided in the online recommendation form

Delta Zeta

Preferred format: Online through the membersonly portal found at deltazeta.org Who Can Submit a Rec: Collegiate and alumnae members in good standing Legacy Information: Can be provided in the online recommendation form

legacy statement A legacy is defined differently by each sorority.

In the past couple of decades many sororities’ legacy policies have changed. We highly recommend that you reach out to each respective sorority’s national office to determine whether you or a loved one are defined as a legacy.

It is important to note that being a legacy does not guarantee you a bid into any of the chapters on SFA’s campus. The sorority is not obligated to offer a bid to a legacy, and a potential new member is not obligated by anyone to commit to a chapter where she is a legacy. It should be the potential new member’s choice and her choice alone as to where she feels comfortable.

PotentiBillal Newof rights Member 10

I.

The right to be treated as an individual.

II.

The right to be fully informed about the recruitment process.

III.

The right to ask questions and receive true and objective answers from recruitment counselors and members.

IV.

The right to be treated with respect.

V.

The right to be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized.

VI.

The right to ask how and why and receive straight answers.

VII.

The right to have and express opinions to recruitment counselors.

VIII. The right to have inviolable confidentiality when sharing information with recruitment counselors.

IX.

The right to make informed choices without undue pressure from others.

X.

The right to be fully informed about the NPC Unanimous Agreements implicit in the membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement (MRABA) signing process.

XI.

The right to make one’s own choice and decision and accept full responsibility for the results of that decision.

XII.

The right to have a positive, safe and enriching recruitment and new member experience.

11

Rules & Policies SFA Panhellenic Council Membership Recruitment Guidelines are intended to help guide Panhellenic women and potential new members through the membership selection process and primary recruitment week. The guidelines incorporate many of the procedures recommended and/or required by the National Panhellenic Conference.

I.

A woman must be an enrolled, full-time (12 hours or more) undergraduate student at SFA to be eligible to participate in primary recruitment.

II.

Potential new members must register with the SFA Panhellenic Council and pay the $120 nonrefundable registration fee in order to participate in primary recruitment.

III.

A potential new member should not be in contact with a chapter member, alumna member or anyone acting on the sorority’s behalf beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 15. This includes social media communication.

IV.

Potential new members found with alcohol, drugs or paraphernalia will be immediately removed from primary recruitment and turned into the Office of Students Rights and Responsibilities.

V.

Potential new members must abide by the SFA Panhellenic Membership Recruitment Rules as well as the NPC Unanimous Agreements.

VI.

Potential new members participating in primary recruitment must wear the nametags provided by SFA Panhellenic during all primary recruitment parties.

VII.

A Potential new member participating in primary recruitment shall not be, nor ever have been, an initiated member of a National Panhellenic Conference organization.

VIII. A woman shall complete the “Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement” card, often referred to as MRABA, immediately following the last preference event she attends. Once a “Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement” has been signed and submitted, no changes can be made.

IX.

A woman signing the “Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement” and receiving a bid at the end of primary recruitment shall be bound to that chapter by the agreement for one calendar year at SFA, or until the next primary recruitment process.

X.

Failure to follow any of these rules could result in dismissal from the primary recruitment process.

12

Academics Any person interested in joining the SFA fraternity and sorority life community, including women participating in recruitment, must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours for the fall semester at SFA. If you have 12 or more college credit/dual credit hours, we will defer to your college transcript for your GPA information. If you have fewer than 12 or no college credit/dual credit hours, we will defer to your high school transcript for your GPA information.

Each chapter has a different GPA requirement, or preference, and as a result it may be over a 2.5 GPA. If your GPA is below the minimums listed below there is a possibility that you may have fewer opportunities throughout the recruitment process.

chapter gpa PREFERENCES High School GPA

College GPA

Alpha Chi Omega: 3.0 / 4.0

Alpha Chi Omega: 2.9 / 4.0

Chi Omega: 3.0 / 4.0

Chi Omega: 2.8 / 4.0

Delta Delta Delta: 2.75 / 4.0

Delta Delta Delta: 2.75 / 4.0

Delta Zeta: 2.7 / 4.0

Delta Zeta: 2.7 / 4.0

Zeta Tau Alpha: 2.75 / 4.0

Zeta Tau Alpha: 2.75 / 4.0

panhellenic grade report Fall 2020

Spring 2021

All Panhellenic GPA

All Panhellenic GPA

3.21

3.18

Women with a 4.0

Women with a 4.0

19%

19%

Women with a 3.5 or above

Women with a 3.5 or above

45%

43%

FinanciCOMMITMENTS al & Housing 13

Financial requirements are an important consideration for anyone interested in joining the Greek community, so it is important for you to be as informed as possible regarding the costs associated with SFA’s Panhellenic chapters. If you accept an invitation to join a sorority, you will enter into a financial agreement and contract for housing and dues during your time as a collegiate member. On this page and the next page you will find detailed financial information for each chapter.

Your chapter dues cover fees required by the National Panhellenic Conference, the sorority’s headquarters, SFA’s Panhellenic Council, chapter officers’ budgets, and chapter maintenance. As a new member, your first semester’s dues will be the most expensive, as it covers one-time fees associated with your sorority.

We strongly encourage you to ask the chapters’ financial officer specific questions about the potential costs of membership so that you can be best informed.

Alpha Chi Omega First Semester New Member Dues: $1,487

Second Semester Member Dues Living In-House Living Out-of-House Fall: $4,765 Fall: $1,090 Spring: $4,865 Spring: $1,190 Every member is required to take advantage of the opportunity to live in the house once eligible to live off campus, for a minimum of two academic years. The president and vice president of facility operations must live-in for the duration of their term.

Chi Omega

First Semester New Member Dues: $1,535 Second Semester Member Dues Living In-House Living Out-of-House Fall: $4,370 Fall: $1,125 Spring: $4,195 Spring: $950 Every member is required to take advantage of the opportunity to live in the house once eligible to live off campus, until the house has reached capacity.

FinanciCOMMITMENTS al & Housing 14

Delta Delta Delta First Semester New Member Dues: $1,816

Second Semester Member Dues Living In-House Fall: $5,190 Spring: $4,690

Living Out-of-House Fall: $1,428 Spring: $1,428

Every member is required to take advantage of the opportunity to live in the house once eligible to live off campus for a minimum of one academic year. Select officers must live-in for the duration of their term.

Delta Zeta

First Semester New Member Dues: $1,328 Second Semester Member Dues Living In-House Living Out-of-House Fall: $4,940 Fall: $980 Spring: $4,240 Spring: $980 Every member is required to take advantage of the opportunity to live in the house once eligible to live off campus for a minimum of two academic years. Executive officer board members must live-in for the duration of their term.

Zeta Tau Alpha

First Semester New Member Dues: $1,588 Second Semester Member Dues Living In-House Living Out-of-House Fall: $4,124 Fall: $1,225 Spring: $4,124 Spring: $1,255 Every member is required to take advantage of the opportunity to live in the house once eligible to live off campus, for a minimum of one academic year. Executive officer board members must live-in for the duration of their term.

15

M e et t h e S or or i t i e s

AlphaEpsilonChi etaOmega chapter 16

Nickname: Alpha Chi

SFA Founding: May 6, 1967 Philanthropy: Domestic Violence Awareness, One Love Foundation, RAINN Flower: Red Carnation

Symbol: Lyre Colors: Scarlet and Olive Green Patron Goddess: Hera, guardian of women Motto: “Together Let Us Seek the Heights”

INSTAGRAM: @SFASU_AXO

Chi Epsilon Omega Zeta chapter 17

Nickname: Chi-O

SFA Founding: Dec. 7, 1963 Philanthropy: Make-A-Wish Flower: White Carnation Mascot: Owl Colors: Cardinal and Straw Tagline: “Sisters on Purpose”

INSTAGRAM: @SFACHIO

Delta Delta Delta Beta Xi chapter 18

Nickname: Tri Delta

SFA Founding: Dec. 2, 1972 Philanthropy: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Flower: Pansy

Symbols: Pine Tree and Dolphin Colors: Blue, gold and silver Patron God: Poseidon Motto: “Let Us Steadfastly Love One Another”

INSTAGRAM: @TRIDELTASFASU

Delta Zeta ZetaPsi chapter 19

Nickname: D-Z

SFA Founding: May 4, 1963 Philanthropy: Speech and Hearing, Painted Turtle Camp, American Society for Deaf Children, and Starkey Hearing Foundation Flower: Pink Killarney Rose Mascot: Turtle Colors: Rose and Green Tagline: “Giving Graciously”

INSTAGRAM: @SFASU_DZ

ZeltaTheta Tau EtaAlpha chapter 20

Nickname: Zeta

SFA Founding: March 18, 1977 Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Education and Awareness, NFL, American Cancer Society and Bright Pink Flower: White Violet

Symbols: Five-Pointed Crown and Strawberry Colors: Turquoise Blue and Steel Gray Patron Goddess: Themis Motto: “Seek the Noblest”

INSTAGRAM: @SFA_ZTA

21

Terms to Know

Active—An undergraduate sorority member who has been initiated by her chapter Advisor—An alumna member who serves as a resource, mentor and guide for the chapter New Member—A member of a sorority not yet initiated Bid—A formal invitation to join a single sorority

Initiation—A secret, formal ceremony when a new member completes their education and becomes an active sister Philanthropy—A chapter’s specific charitable organization to which they donate money and volunteer hours

Potential New Member (PNM)—A woman interested in joining a sorority

Big Sister—An active sorority member who serves Ritual—Secret, inspirational ceremonies specific as a mentor to a new member to each sorority Chapter—A local membership unit of an inter/ Rho Gamma—A woman who will serve as a national sorority guide, mentor and friend to PNMs going through Charter—The official document recognizing a recruitment chapter’s status by the inter/national organization Sister—An initiated member of a sorority Dues—Fees paid to the chapter each semester, which cover the costs of operation, formal events, Strict Silence—Time when PNMs and active members of a sorority are not allowed to activities and other events communicate verbally, electronically, etc. outside of recruitment events

A Alpha

greek alphabet B Beta

al-fah

bay-tuh

ay-tuh

thay-tuh

new

zy

H Eta N Nu

T Tau taw

Θ Theta Ξ Xi

Y Upsilon

oops-i-lon

Γ Δ Gamma Delta

gam-muh

I Iota

eye-o-tah

O Omicron

oh-mi-cron

Φ Phi fie

del-tuh

K Kappa

kap-uh

Π Pi pie

X Chi kie

E Epsilon

Z Zeta

ep-si-lon

zay-tuh

lam-duh

mew

Λ M Lambda Mu P Rho row

Ψ Psi

sigh

Σ Sigma

sig-muh

Ω Omega

oh-may-guh

Frequently Asked Questions 22

What if I only want to be in a certain sorority?

Only wanting to be a member of one specific sorority or only considering a few sororities can severely limit a potential new member’s options for membership and can lead to disappointment.

Panhellenic discourages choosing a sorority based on stereotypes or others’ opinions. We encourage you to keep an open mind and make a decision that is right for you!

What are the benefits of joining a sorority?

You will gain supportive friends, opportunities to hold leadership positions and get involved with community service and philanthropic events. It will also connect you with a nationwide network of fellow sisters!

Does Greek Life take up a lot of time?

Greek membership takes up as much

time as you are willing to invest. You will have the choice as to what to participate in outside of mandatory chapter events. Greek women have perfected the art of time management between jobs, academics and sorority life.

If I decide not to participate in recruitment, is my registration fee refundable?

No. All registration fees are nonrefundable, no exceptions. This is clearly stated on the recruitment registration disclaimer, so before you register for recruitment, please take this into consideration.

If I am going through recruitment as a sophomore or going through again, am I at a disadvantage?

Many women choose to go through recruitment as a sophomore or junior for various reasons. As long as you Yes! The purpose of recruitment is have the required GPA you should not for you to gather as much have a problem. For those going information as possible about the through recruitment a second time, various sororities, so you can make there is a chance that chapters that What is Continuous Open Bidding or released you the first time might the best decision possible when Informal Recruitment? choosing which chapter to join. If release you again. You should keep an Continuous Open Bidding (COB) begins open mind and discuss all the activities you intentionally miss parties, you as soon as Formal Recruitment ends. In in which you have been involved over could get released from recruitment. the fall and spring, eligible chapters are the past year as well as let the Let your Rho Gamma know ASAP if able to extend bids to women you absolutely cannot attend a party. sororities know why you are going interested in joining their chapters. It is through a second time.

What if I don’t have a important to know that only chapters recommendation letter? that fall under chapter total are eligible What if I discover the sorority I’ve Recommendation letters are not a to COB; therefore, not every chapter selected is not the right one for me? requirement to participate in might be eligible.

Once you’ve accepted a bid to a recruitment at SFA. They do not sorority, the new member process is guarantee any person submitting them What if I don’t get invited to attend designed to make sure you are ready to the maximum amount of chapters a bid either. make a lifelong commitment to an during each round? organization. This period normally lasts During the recruitment process, the When can I live in the sorority 6-8 weeks but depends on your number of chapters a PNM will visit house? organization. If before initiation you each day will vary from one woman to Women must be eligible to move off decide you are not ready for the the next. The number of events is not SFA campus prior to moving into a commitment, you can break your important; it is the conversations and sorority house. This includes women pledge from the organization. If you people you are interacting with that are would like to participate in recruitment elected to executive officer positions.

Eligibility to live off campus is 60 course important. again, you can do so at the time of the credit hours or 21 years of age, next primary recruitment period. Once What is Greek Week? whichever comes first. you have accepted a bid from an NPC Greek Week is all about coming organization, you must wait until the together as a Greek community to What is recruitment? next primary recruitment period to be support one another. During Greek The recruitment process includes a eligible to receive another bid from an Week, all Panhellenic chapters along number of rounds, and each round NPC organization. with other Greek organizations includes a number of events. Rounds participate in sports, stroll-offs and are identified by the theme of the If you truly think the sorority to which much more! This is the perfect time to round, i.e. philanthropy, and by the you received a bid is the wrong group number of events for the round, i.e. six- deck out in Greek apparel and show off for you, you should make that decision your Greek pride. event round. Each chapter you visit before you are initiated. Once you are during a round is an event. After each initiated into an NPC organization, you Is joining a sorority really “for life?” day of recruitment, you will meet with are ineligible for membership in any Yes! Not only are there opportunities your recruitment counselor to decide other NPC organization for the rest of for involvement and close friendships how you liked the chapters. You will your life. Going through initiation is a as a collegiate member, but there are narrow down the list of chapters you for alumnae members as well! You can way to show you are ready for a lifelong are interested in at the end of each commitment to your group. join an alumnae chapter, serve as a day. chapter advisor, volunteer at a national level or even work for your sorority’s national office.

Do I need to attend every party I am invited to?

1

2

Contact Us PANHELLENIC COUNCIL

office of fraternity and sorority life 222 Vista Drive Baker Pattillo Student Center Office 3.302 Nacogdoches, TX 75965 (936) 468-6296 sfasu.edu/greeklife

social media

sfasupanhellenic.com sfapanhellenic@gmail.com @sfasu_panhellenic

@Panhellenic_SFA SFA National Panhellenic Council SFAPanPR

Scan ME to sign up for recruitment

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY