YSU Panhellenic Recruitment Guide

YO U N G S T O W N S TAT E U N I V E RS I T Y

Panhellenic Recruitment

STEP ONE : REGISTER

Guide STEP FOUR: RECRUITMENT MUST ATTEND ALL EVENTS FOR THE ENTIRE TIME FRAME, SO ADJUST YOUR WORK SCHEDULE

Register online at www.ysu.edu/greeklife Registration Cost: $15. The cost for recruitment registration covers: one Recruitment shirt, snacks, lunch on Saturday and administrative costs during Formal Recruitment week. There will not be refunds for Recruitment registration fees.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Open House: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Chestnut Room, Kilcawley Center

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Preference & Bid Day: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Cove, Kilcawley Center

STEP TWO : INFO SESSION If you are interested in joining this semester, you are encouraged to attend one of the following sessions:

MEET THE GREEKS

SORORITY INFO

SORORITY INFO

August 31 7:00 pm Chestnut Room, Kilcawley Center

September 7 7:00 pm Room 2068, Kilcawley Center

September 13 7:00 pm Room 2068, Kilcawley Center

STEP THREE: MEET YOUR RECRUITMENT COUNSELOR After (or before) attending an info session, you should receive contact from a recruitment counselor. Any questions about Greek Life can be answered by them and they are there to guide you through the recruitment process.

RECRUITMENT ORIENTATION

ACADEMIC & MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS Undergraduate students who wish to join an NPC organization must meet specific membership qualifications.

- Have a minimum of a 2.50 overall cumulative grade point average (unless the organization requires a higher GPA) - If the potential member is a first year student who has not earned a YSU academic grade point average and is seeking membership, they can join with the understanding that they must have a 2.50 cumulative average or higher from a previous institution or high school.

- Be a full-time YSU Student (attempting 12 academic credits or more) - No active conduct record with the Office of Community Standards & Student Conduct

QUESTIONS? CONTACT:

(ATTENDANCE REQUIRED TO START RECRUITMENT)

MIKAYLA SHIELS

September 15 - 7:00 pm Rossi Room, Kilcawley Center

YSU Panhellenic

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Philanthropy Night: 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Chestnut Room, Kilcawley Center

Vice President of Recruitment panhelvprecruitment@gmail.com 440-840-6979 @YSU Panhellenic

CARRIE ANDERSON Greek Advisor clanderson@ysu.edu 330-941-4702

@YSU Panhellenic

Welcome to Youngstown State University!

We are so excited to be back on campus and meet everyone! My team and I have been working diligently to deliver the best Formal Recruitment experience we can.

I have been a member of YSU Greek Life since freshman year and it has been incredibly rewarding. Through the years, I’ve learned how to be not only a better leader, but a better person as well. I have found some of my best friends here in the Panhellenic community and I can’t wait to see you do the same.

Everyone on Panhellenic Council hopes that you enjoy every minute and that you find your forever home within one of our chapters.

So, have fun and GO GUINS!!

Recruitment Counselors The first Panhellenic women you will meet are the Recruitment Counselors. These women disaffiliate from their chapter during the formal recruitment period, to recruit for Greek Life as a whole and not just for their own chapter. They act as a guide and mentor to the Potential New Members (PNM) during their recruitment experience.

Mikayla Shiels VP of Recruitment

Recruitment Counselors went through a competitive interview process and were selected based on their leadership skills, counseling skills and their enthusiasm for recruitment. You will be assigned to a Recruitment Counselor group. Your Recruitment Counselors are there to be your listener, guide, and friend. You can count on them to keep all of your questions and concerns confidential. Look at your recruitment counselors as a shoulder to lean on. They were here once before, so they understand that the decision to choose a chapter is a difficult one and they want to help.

BELLA

Abby

Madison

Gigi

SYDNEY

Peyton

Hanna

CIERRA

Galena

Mikayla

Financial Obligations Each chapter has several different types of dues and fees that must be paid in order for the chapter to function properly and for you to remain in good standing. Different chapters break their dues down differently, some include everything, and others allow you to make additional purchases for things like shirts, outside of the base cost. When you calculate everything, all of our chapters have relatively similar costs for a year.

You will receive information about each individual chapter’s costs during the open house round. Below are some general terms and things to consider regarding sorority financial obligations.

One-Time Fees These are generally paid during your first semester and may include a badge fee or initiation fee.

Chapter Dues These cover chapter operations, as well as the cost of chapter events like sisterhoods and socials. Some chapter dues include the full cost of formals and t-shirts.

Inter/National Dues These are fees that go to the inter/national organization and allow you to be a member of the larger inter/national organization, and often help to fund programming, operations, etc. put on by the inter/national organization.

Questions to Ask During Sorority Recruitment y

What is your favorite part of being in your sorority?

y

What are some things your chapter is planning on doing this year?

y

What kinds of organizations are you involved in?

y

What community service activities does your chapter take part in?

y

What makes your chapter unique on campus?

y

Are you able to manage school/work/family obligations while being in your sorority?

y

What does “membership for life” mean to your chapter?

y

How does your chapter get involved in the fraternity and sorority community?

y

If I become a new member, what kind of time obligations will I have, in both my new member period and after?

Attendance Policy

Examples of

What to Wear

DAY 1

for recruitment

DAY 2

DAY 3

What to Expect INFORMATION SESSIONS Here at YSU, we like to start things off with a couple days where we provide information to you about who we are and what we do.

recruitment orientation Get an overview of the sorority recruitment process.

Meet your Recruitment Counselor as well as other women participating in recruitment.

DAY 1

OPEN HOUSE -ThursdayThis will be the first round of recruitment. You will get to meet and greet with members from each chapter.

Every group has their own schedule of activities – be prepared to get up and move around! These 30-minute events are fairly short and the time will probably whiz right by as you visit all four chapters. Don’t be surprised if you’re greeted with clapping and a song or chant – they’re excited to see you!

DAY 2

Philanthropy -FridayThis is the second round of recruitment. You will be spending 45 minutes in chapter rooms that you have been invited back to. During this round, you will learn about each sorority’s philanthropy and service projects.

This round is very important to every sorority woman because their philanthropy is close to their heart.

Preference -Saturday Morning-

DAY 3

The Panhellenic Association has a mandatory attendance policy during recruitment. This means that as a Potential New Member, you are required to attend all chapter events to which you are invited. If you choose not to attend a chapter on your event schedule and you do not have an excused absence, you will be removed from the recruitment process immediately.

PNMs must submit academic or athletic conflicts to your recruitment counselor no later than September 22 at 5:00 PM. While Panhellenic encourages chapters to invite back PNMs who must miss events due to conflicts, there is no guarantee that a chapter will invite you back if you have to miss an event.

At the beginning of each recruitment round you will go into one room with all of the other PNMs and Recruitment Counselors.

You will be able to leave all of your belongings there. Each day you will be split into groups with your Recruitment Counselor.

Before you enter each chapter room you will be lined up alphabetically by last name. Please listen to the Recruitment Counselors who will be assisting you before the event begins.

This is the most important and meaningful event of the week. This serious hour long event is where you’ll make your final decision on what sorority you want to call your own. Listen carefully to the words they say and the songs they sing – that is where they’ll tell you the essence of their beliefs. This round is often a very emotional step in the recruitment process because each chapter is sharing a ceremony with you that reveals their whole heart and soul.

What to Talk About

What to Wear

Ask about Greek Life in general, about individual sororities, or about personal experiences.

T-shirt, jeans, or leggings and comfortable shoes

This evening is dedicated to answering any questions or concerns you may have. Be sure you are registered and paid for recruitment by the time you leave this event.

T-shirt, jeans, or leggings and comfortable shoes

At this point, you’re thinking about being in a sorority; now you just need to figure out where your best match is. Ask questions that will help you learn more about the individual sororities. Tell them about you, too!

- What are your chapter’s academic programs?

- What positions have you held?

- What are some other activities on campus that your sisters are involved in?

A t-shirt and shorts are perfectly fine but you’re also welcome to dress up a bit. Remember that this is the sorority’s first impression of you!

As the day will be focused on the chapters’ efforts to promote their various philanthropies, this is a great chance to ask them what service projects they do on campus. You might just be surprised at what these women can accomplish!

- Tell me about your chapter’s philanthropy.

- What do you like most about your chapter’s philanthropy?

- What types of community service do you do as a chapter?

- What philanthropy events have you participated in?

Casual tops, pants/nice jeans, comfortable shoes

- What is your most cherished memory from being in your chapter?

- What made you feel at home in this chapter or why did you choose this chapter?

Business casual dress or pants/skirt and top, flats, boots/booties, heels

Bid Day -Saturday AfternoonThe last and most exciting event of the week! At this event you’ll receive an invitation to join a sorority. Recruitment is a mutual selection process where your Preference card is matched with the sororities’ preferences. After discovering what chapter each Recruitment Counselor belongs to, you’ll get to join your new sisters in a celebratory sisterhood event.

T-shirt, jeans, or leggings and comfortable shoes

Frequently Asked questions

THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF SORORITY RECRUITMENT DO: Talk to other potential new members. You could be spending a lot of time with these women in the next few years!

Stop by the Student Activities Office, across from the Cove in Kilcawley Center. That is a great location to get any questions you have answered.

Make the right decision for you. Regardless of what others may say, you need to make up your own mind. It is your decision and it will impact the rest of your life!

Keep an open mind while talking to women and visiting the different chapters. Every chapter is unique and has a lot to offer its members.

Write down your impressions of a sorority immediately following an event. It is a hectic week and this will help you evaluate your options.

Be positive. First impressions are huge and a conversation with nothing but complaints will work against you.

Smile! It’s the easiest way to win people over.

Be yourself. This will help the chapters get to know the real you and will help you figure out where you should be!

Be comfortable. You will be sitting in crowded rooms and will be walking a lot. Be sure to wear a comfy pair of shoes!

Get plenty of sleep. You will need it. It is a busy weekend!

Get ahead on assignments. We don’t want you to be stressed and worried about school all weekend when you’re trying to have a fun time! We value your academic success and you should too!

DON’T: Don’t have your heart set on one sorority. Chances are there will be several sororities you can relate to. Keep an open mind and you will end up in the place that fits you best!

Don’t swear. Again, first impressions are everything.

When do I get my Recruitment Counselor and how can they help me?

Your Recruitment Counselor is assigned to you when you register and will contact you during the fall semester. They are here to support you through the process and answer any questions you have about recruitment. Make sure to utilize them!

How do sororities decide who to invite back each round?

Recruitment is a mutual selection process. Just as each PNM is selecting which chapters she likes best, the chapters are also selecting the PNMs in the same manner. Sororities choose PNMs based on who they feel best exemplifies the characteristics and values their sorority works to uphold and believes in.

Does everyone get a bid?

Unfortunately a bid is not guaranteed to every woman who goes through recruitment. However, if a PNM progresses though the week, attends all of the events and she is invited to the final formal recruitment round and lists all of the chapters on her preference card that day, she will likely receive a bid to one of those chapters.

What if I can’t make it to a recruitment event or I have to arrive late?

Our recruitment team will work with all different types of schedules to make your experience the best it can be. Please let your Recruitment Counselor know if you have a conflict with the recruitment events ASAP. If you arrive late to an event let the Recruitment Counselor or sister know who you are and that you are late, they will help you find where you need to go.

What happens with my registration fee?

Your $15 registration fee is used to make formal recruitment a reality! That money is used for various logistical costs such as snacks or lunch for the Potential New Members during rounds, the computer system we use to create your schedule, and the booklet you are reading right now.

Are there certain sororities that are better than others?

No! Each sorority is a perfect fit for its members. The most important part about formal recruitment is to go in with an open mind. Friends that you have before recruitment week will still be your friends after, no matter which chapter you join!

What if I already know which chapter I want to be a part of?

It is crucial that you keep an open mind throughout the recruitment process.

By keeping your options open, you increase your chances for a successful recruitment process.

Once I join a sorority will I have to go through hazing?

Absolutely not. YSU Panhellenic has a zero tolerance hazing policy. You will have a safe and fun experience as a new member. If hazing does occur it is against YSU’s policy. Report it.

What if a sorority woman contacts me during recruitment by text or calls prior to Bid Day? If you are concerned or uncomfortable, contact your Recruitment Counselor and explain the situation.

If I am a legacy, am I guaranteed a bid?

No. Legacy policies differ from chapter to chapter, but no chapter guarantees a bid to a legacy. Also, remember that chapters change with their membership, and just because the sorority was the right fit for your family member doesn’t mean it will be the right fit for you.

Don’t talk badly about other chapters. A lot of sorority women are friends with women from other chapters. You never know who has friends where and talking poorly about others can make you look bad too!

May I skip a sorority event if I do not want to attend?

No, if you choose to miss a party during formal recruitment week, you will be removed from the entire recruitment process. There are no exceptions.

Don’t compare yourself! It may be hard but try not to compare your recruitment process to another potential new member’s.

It will all work out in the end!

Can I withdraw from recruitment?

Yes, but we encourage you to stay through the week. You will be surprised at how happy you are in the end. It sounds silly that everything happens the way it is supposed to, but truly it does! Often you do not know what the best fit for you is until you are in the chapter.

Don’t give up if you don’t get invited back to a chapter you really enjoyed being at. Carefully consider the options you have left before you end the recruitment process. After all, you never know where you are meant to be!

Youngstown State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age, religion or veteran/military status in its programs or activities. Please visit www.ysu.edu/ada-accessibility for contact information for persons designated to handle questions about this policy.