texas a&m 2014 recruitment guide

YOUR GUIDE TO PANHELLENIC

AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

2014 Recruitment Guide

Welcome...

...to the time of your life

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The Collegiate Panhellenic Council

Dear Future Aggie Greeks, A letter from the Panhellenic president

A letter from the Panhellenic VP of recruitment

On behalf of the Texas A&M University Collegiate Panhellenic Council, I would like to welcome you to Sorority Recruitment! We are so excited that you have considered joining Fraternity & Sorority

Life at Texas A&M University. We, the Texas A&M University Collegiate Panhellenic Council, are the coordina ng and governing body of 12 Na onal Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sorori es and 1

associate member sorority. These chapters represent over 2,400 women on campus. Greek students at Texas A&M embody the Aggie Spirit and exemplify the quali es of being a true Aggie. As Panhel-

lenic women, we strive for academic excellence, campus involvement, leadership, and philanthropic achievement. “First you’re a part of it, then it becomes a part of you.” Joining a sorority has been

one of the best decisions of my life. It has given me a support group and encouragement, taught me the importance of sisterhood and given me numerous leadership experiences. For the rest of your

life, you will

always be a part of the Aggie Panhellenic Sisterhood and the Aggie tradi on of

excellence if you choose to Go Greek!

Thanks & Gig ‘Em!

Dear Poten al New Members,

Welcome to Aggieland! We are excited that you have decided to par cipate in recruitment and be part of the Aggie Family! Recruitment is a wonderful way to start your college semester, allowing you

to meet tons of women that you will make connec ons and friendships with that will last for a life me. You will go through a structured series of par es exposing you to each of our wonderful sorori-

es. Ul mately, the process will lead you to an invita on to join one of the twelve sorori es at Texas A&M. Please go into recruitment with an open mind. The process may seem daun ng, but remem-

ber this week is all about having fun, mee ng new people and being you. Don’t forget what your values are and who you are. Relax and let your personality stand out by being you, rather than ac ng

like someone you aren’t. It is important to develop your own opinions and make decisions that fit you– not what others are telling you to do. This week will be stressful, but remember that you will end

up where you are des ned to be! By the end of the week, I hope that you will have found your Greek home, made new

friends and enjoyed Recruitment. You aren’t just joining a sisterhood, you are joining the Greek Community!

Don’t miss out—Go Greek!

The 2014 Collegiate Panhellenic Council. Le to right: Bethany (President), Shelby (VP of Judicial), Lauren (Director of Service), Amanda (Director of Chapter Rela ons), Lela (Secretary), Allison (Director of Campus Outreach), Jenny (Execu ve VP), Kennedy (VP of PR), Cybil (VP of Recruitment), Michelle (VP Finance), Devin (Director of New Member Programs), Alyssa (Director of Academics).

Meet our Panhellenic Delegates. Two delegates from each chapter will be standing outside their respec ve house during each party of recruitment. They are not Rho Gammas and therefore do not disaffiliate from their sorori es for work week nor Recruitment week. They will make sure you are in the correct alphabe cal order when you walk into the houses. Delegates act as representa ves of their sorority to the Collegiate Panhellenic Council.

Bethany Nolan

Cybil Armbruster

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The Panhellenic creed. We, as undergraduate members of women’s fraterni es, 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. Coopera on for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with

its best possibili es, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity ac vity. 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 wise and wide human service, through

mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.

Table of Contents

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2 Sponsor

Thomas park lofts

3-4 Welcome

5 Table of Contents

6 Recruitment Rules & Rights

7 Why Join a Sorority?

8 Frequently Asked Questions

9 Recruitment Information

Financial obligations & conflicting dates

10 MRABA

11 Glossary of Terms


Frequently asked questions & registration info

13 Questions to Ask


Anti-hazing statement & legacy information

15 Recommendation Letters

16 What to Expect as a New Member


Tips from Panhellenic & necessities for recruitment

18-19 Recruitment Schedule


Questions & answers

21 During Recruitment Week

22-25 Our Sororities

26 Associate Member & Pictures

27 Pictures

28-31 Notes Pages

Back Cover— Map of Sorority Row

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Recruitment Info Recruitment Rules & Policies

Potential New Member Bill of Rights

· If a Poten al New Member is disrespec ul to any member of any sorority, any member of the Panhellenic Council, any Rho Gammas, or any other Re-

cruitment personnel, the PNM will be asked to leave Recruitment immediately, without refund or an invita on to join any sorority. Thousands of people

have worked very hard for months to make this week enjoyable for PNMs, and rudeness will not be tolerated.

· The Collegiate Panhellenic Council and Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life have no authority regarding which PNMs chapters invite back. PNMs and par-

ents should refrain from contac ng Panhellenic Council members or advisors during Recruitment week if they are unsa sfied with their invita ons, as

these people are unable to interfere with any chapter decisions.

· No disparaging remarks may be made by a sorority member about another sorority or its members. A empts may not be made to evaluate or rank anoth-

er sorority. This includes any discussion of sorority invita ons. No sorority member is qualified to tell a poten al member about a sorority other than her

own.

· A separate quota shall be u lized for upperclassmen. An upperclassman shall be defined as a student who graduated from high school prior to 2014. All

poten al new members who list all available preferences on their preference card will be matched during regular bid matching or as quota addi ons. Po-

ten al new members who do not list all available preferences and who do not match during regular bid matching are not eligible to be a quota addi on.

· Silence is established so that each poten al new member may decide for herself which group she wishes to join. Seven days prior to Formal Recruitment

un l a er bids are picked up it is a viola on for there to be any communica on outside of Formal Recruitment events between poten al new members

and chapter members, new members, alumnae and agents of a sorority, or any mediator between a poten al member and an affiliate sorority, except

those permi ed by Panhellenic.

· Oral bids, promises of pledging, and speaking of indefinite or definite future mee ngs are prohibited during summer and Formal Fall Recruitment. No

sorority member, new member, alumna, or agent may advise any poten al member or individual of chapter intent. Some examples are: “I want you for my

li le sister,” “See you tomorrow,” “I will save this for you un l bid day,” “We love you!” Expressions of welcome are not considered oral bids, for example:

“We’re glad you’re back,” “It’s nice to see you again,” “I’m glad you’re here.”

· Alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited in membership recruitment and bid day ac vi es and any ac vi es involving alcohol un l 24 hours are bids are

distributed are prohibited. Men shall be prohibited from par cipa on in membership recruitment events and bid day ac vi es.

· Sorority members may not inquire about the poten al member’s other event choices.

· Nametags must denote anyone other than a TAMU ac ve.

· A poten al new member must a end the maximum number of available Formal Recruitment par es for which she has received and accepted invita ons.

If a poten al member does not do this, she will be withdrawn from recruitment. If a poten al member wishes to withdraw from recruitment, she must fill

out an official withdrawal form.

· A chapter shall not remove poten al member nametags for any purpose during the recruitment events.

Every poten al new member has the right to:

Be treated as an individual

Be fully informed about the recruitment process

Ask ques ons and receive true and objec ve answers

from Recruitment Guides (Rho Gammas)

Be treated with respect

Be treated as a capable and mature person without being

patronized

Ask how and why and receive straight answers

Have and express opinions to rho gammas

Expect confiden ality when sharing informa on with re-

cruitment counselors

Make informed choices without undue pressure from

others

Be fully informed about the binding agreements implicit

in the preference card signing

Make one’s own choice and decision and accept full

responsibility for the results of that decision

Have a posi ve, safe and enriching recruitment and

pledging experience

Why Join a Sorority?

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Leadership, Scholarship, Sisterhood, Service

“Being in a sorority has allowed me to become the

very best version of myself and has given me

people who upli me every day.”

Professional prowess. Women from Texas A&M sorori es gained entrance to many

post-bachelor’s degree educa on programs, including: Hardin-Simmons Physical Therapy

school, Texas A&M Professional Program in Accoun ng, Occupa onal Therapy school,

Pepperdine Law, Notre Dame Law, University of Texas Law, UT Medical School, Texas A&M

Bush School for Master’s in Non-Profit, Veterinarian School, and many more.

The All-Sorority Women’s Average GPA is consistently ABOVE the

University All-Women’s GPA. Last semester, ours was a 3.2 versus the

2.6 Women’s University average.

Scholarship. Even though we have plenty of fun, we take our academics very

seriously. We sit together in class, hold study hours and academic seminars, and have a CPC-

wide tutoring program to help each other succeed in school. In addi on to these, members

of Greek organiza ons can apply to be in Texas A&M’s chapter of the na onal honor society,

Order of Omega, that recognizes leaders in the Greek community for their outstanding

scholas c achievements and contribu ons to the University.

Sisterhood. Sisterhood is one of the most important aspects of a sorority. Whatever

sisterhood may mean to you, you will find it in our sorori es. Your sisters will become your

home away from home and will be your biggest support system throughout college. Beyond

your 4 years at Texas A&M, alumnae chapters exist to introduce you to other members of

your sorority. Wherever life takes you, there will be a group of women who share similar

values and experiences wai ng to greet you.

Leadership. Every sorority encourages their members to be involved in organiza ons

outside of Greek Life. Members of sorori es are leaders among on-campus organiza ons,

such as The Big Event, Fish Camp, Impact, CARPOOL, Freshmen Leadership Organiza ons,

and many more. They also compete for our University on NCAA and club sports teams and

get involved off-campus in the Bryan/College Sta on community as well.

Service. One thing makes every sorority at Texas A&M similar: our love of giving and

hearts for others. Almost every sorority at Texas A&M has not only a na onal philanthropy,

but a local philanthropy that their chapter supports individually as well. We spend hours and

hours giving me as mentors and volunteers to various charitable organiza ons, and last year

we were able to donate almost $500,000 from our philanthropy events to these chari es.

Our events include anything from a dance compe on, to a 5K run, to a paintball tourna-

ment. Students from all over campus par cipate in these fun events to serve others.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I have to live in the sorority house?

Are there scholarships available for dues?

Most sorori es require members to live in the house for

at least one year. However, every sorority has a

different policy regarding living in the house so you

should be sure to ask about it during recruitment. The

cost of living in the house is comparable, if not cheaper,

than living on or near campus and also includes a meal

plan of about 14 meals per week.

Yes! Every sorority offers scholarships, both need-based

and merit-based, to cover the cost of dues and put

toward tui on. These can range in size from a few

hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars and are

offered not only by the individual chapters themselves,

but also by their respec ve na onal organiza ons.

Alumnae of sorori es generally do not want finances to

deter quality women from par cipa ng in membership,

so they have established numerous sources of aid.

What about the rumors I’ve heard? The movies and television shows that include Greek life

o en portray it as being a bunch of snobby sorority girls

who pretend to do community service and embarrass

themselves on the weekends. Sorority life in reality, at

least at Texas A&M, is nothing like the stereotypes. Our

sorori es are filled with intelligent, caring, driven,

passionate young women who genuinely care about

each other. If you are afraid that sorori es will be the

superficial groups you’ve heard about, come up for a

visit so that we can show you where our hearts truly lie.

Is it possible to join a sorority and still be involved in other organizations? Yes! Most sorori es encourage and even require their members to be involved in at least one other organiza on,

whether it be on or off campus. At Texas A&M, there are hundreds of other organiza ons to join and while your

sorority will expect you to uphold your commitment to them, they cherish the diversity you bring to the table and

want you to con nue to par cipate in the ac vi es that make you who you are. Furthermore, when you come to

college, you have so much more free me than you did in high school, so there’s more me for ac vi es.

Recruitment Info

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Conflicting Dates

Financial Obligations Alpha chi omega New Member Dues: $2150/1st yr

Ac ve Member Dues: $1780/yr

In-House Costs: $7520/yr

Alpha delta pi New Member Dues: $2331/1st yr



chi omega New Member Dues: $1985/1st yr



Delta gamma New Member Dues: $2330/1st yr



Delta delta delta New Member Dues: $2249/1st yr



Delta zeta New Member Dues: $2300/1st yr



Gamma phi beta New Member Dues: $2431/1st yr



Kappa alpha theta New Member Dues: $2681/1st yr



Kappa delta New Member Dues: $2560/1st yr



Kappa kappa gamma New Member Dues: $2705/1st yr



Pi beta phi New Member Dues: $2130/1st yr



Zeta tau alpha New Member Dues: $3354/1st yr



Early Move-In The University-set freshmen move-in date is Sunday, August 24th. Because Panhellenic holds a

mandatory check-in and convoca on on this date, you can apply on the TAMU housing website to move

in a day early, on Saturday the 23rd, to an on-campus residence. For those of you living off-campus next

year, you will have to check with your housing service or landlord for your move-in arrangements.

Recruitment events occur August

24th-August 30th and cannot be

missed.

The last New Student Conference

on August 25th-26th will conflict

with Recruitment events, so if you

plan on going through Recruitment,

register for an earlier New Student

Conference.

This year, no Fish Camp or Impact

sessions conflict with Recruitment

dates, nor do any Transfer Student

Conferences.

Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement Below is the form that you will receive after the last party on Preference Night:

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Explanation of the mraba. The document above is the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) , formerly known as the

“Preference Card”. The MRABA is a binding agreement that is effec ve for one calendar year. By signing this document as a Poten al New Member a er

a ending the par es on Pref Night, you agree that you are willing to accept a bid for membership from any of the (maximum of 3) sorori es that you rank

on your MRABA. Please note that if you receive an invita on for membership (bid) from any of the sorori es that you rank on your MRABA, you are bound

to that group for one calendar year (August 2014-2015), which means that should you choose not to accept that bid, you are ineligible for Con nuous Open

Bidding during Fall 2014 and Spring 2015. A er the end of your par es on Pref Night, whether you a end the maximum of three or just one, you will board

the bus to return to the Student Compu ng Center on campus to do your final preference selec on (ranking the sorori es in preferen al order). A copy of

the MRABA will be given to you a er that, on which you will write down the order of houses that you put into the computer system and then sign.

Texas A&M Collegiate Panhellenic Council Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement

Name___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Last First Middle UIN #__________________________________________ PNM #________________________________________________________ Local Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number (__________)_____________________________________ I have participated in the membership recruitment period at Texas A&M University. By signing this Acceptance Agreement, I understand and agree to the following terms: 1. I am willing to accept an invitation to membership from any sorority that I list on this agreement. 2. I may limit my choices to just one or list any sorority’s preference round event I attended from which I am willing to accept membership. I realize that by not listing the maximum number of events I attended, I may be limiting my potential to join any other NPC group during Formal Recruitment should I not be placed with my choices. 3. I cannot change the order of preference nor add or delete a preference once this Agreement has been submitted to the Collegiate Panhellenic Council at Texas A&M. 4. If I do not receive an invitation to membership from a group that I have listed, I am eligible for continuous open bidding. 5. I have the option of not submitting an agreement at this time. 6. Once I sign this agreement, I am bound by the National Panhellenic Conference Compact. This rule states that if I receive an invitation to membership from any group I have listed and I choose not to accept it, I am not eligible to be pledged to any other NPC sorority on this campus until the next primary membership recruitment.

I agree to the terms stated above and I am willing to accept an invitation to membership from any of the following sororities whose preference event I attended (listed in order of preference):

1st Preference_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2nd Preference____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3rd Preference_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ I have completed my final preference card exactly as I have listed above. Signature____________________________________________________ Date__________________________________________

Greek Glossary of Terms

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PNM. Or Poten al New Member. A person who is interested in joining an NPC sorority and will par cipate

in recruitment. Formerly called “rushees” by sorori es.

CPC. The governing body over the 12 NPC sorori es and 1 associate member at Texas A&M.

IFC. Interfraternity Council. The governing body of the NIC fraterni es at Texas A&M.

NPHC. Na onal Pan-Hellenic Council. The governing body of the predominantly African-American

fraterni es and sorori es at Texas A&M.

MGC. Mul cultural Greek Council. The governing body of the predominantly Asian and La no fraterni es

and sorori es at Texas A&M.

Active. An ini ated collegiate member of a chapter.

Continuous open bidding. A er the process of formal Recruitment, if a sorority did not meet quota

they are eligible to give out a bid at any me during the year to a woman who they would like to become a

member.

Snap bid. A er every sorority has submi ed their bid lists (women they would like to extend

membership to) and every PNM has submi ed her preference card (final choices for which sorority she

would like to join), some mes the two do not match up. In this case, a PNM can me matched by a snap bid

to a sorority and will receive it on bid day.

Bid. A formal invita on for membership, given out at the end of formal Recruitment week by one chapter

to a PNM.

Chapter. A branch of a na onal sorority, established at a campus. Each will have their own name, usually

designated by Greek le ers. For example, Chi Omega, Xi Kappa chapter.

Alumna/alumnus. A member of a sorority or fraternity who has already graduated.

Initiation. The secret ritual ceremony that a new member undergoes to become an ac ve, official

member of her chapter. Ini a on tradi onally should not include any form of hazing and any instances of

hazing should be immediately reported to CPC and the university.

Preference. A er the end if all the events for one round of Recruitment, every PNM will board the bus

and go to the on-campus Student Compu ng Center to rank the chapters she visited that day in preferen al

order. This decision process is called “preffing” and will take place a er the comple on of Go Greek,

Philanthropy, Skit, and Preference rounds.

New member. A woman who has accepted her bid to join a sorority. Formerly called “pledges”.

Maximizing your options. At Texas A&M, we have a policy which states that every PNM who goes

through Recruitment will receive a bid from a chapter at the end of the process so long as she “maximizes

her op ons”. This means at Preference the PNM submits the maximum number of houses she wishes to

return to that she is able to submit (aka. She does not Single Inten onal Preference) and a ends every event

she is invited to.

Quota. The total number of new members each sorority is allowed to take at the end of Recruitment

week.

Single intentional preference. This is the situa on in which a PNM only submits one house that

she would like to return to, rather than the maximum number she is able to list. In a situa on in which a

PNM is invited to more than one party on a given round, but only decides she would like to pref one house,

she may not be guaranteed a bid at the end of the week. There is no benefit to Single Inten onal Preference

and it is highly discouraged.

Silence. The period of no contact between PNMs and ac ve members during the week of Recruitment

and the week before Recruitment starts.

Dirty rushing. Any a empt to convince a PNM to join a sorority that conflicts with any Recruitment

rules. This includes talking/contact during the silence period, etc.

It’s All

to Me

Recruitment Info

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When & How to Register

What Do I Do In Case of an Emergency?

What to Expect During Recruitment

How Does the Selection Process Work?

Regular registration. Regular Registra on is Thursday, May 1st - Tuesday,

July 15th. The fee is $100 for Regular Registra-

on. This covers the cost of your t-shirt for Go

Greek round, transporta on to and from the

row, any food provided, processing fees, etc.

Late registration. Late Registra on is

Wednesday, July 16th - Sunday, August 10th.

The fee is $130 for Late Registra on.

Last-chance registration. Last Chance Registra on is Monday, August 11th -

Friday, August 15th. The fee is $230 for Last

Chance Registra on.

All registra on can be done on our website,

cpc.tamu.edu.

All registra on ends Friday, August 15th, at

11:59pm. Women must register on

cpc.tamu.edu to go through formal Fall

Recruitment. Registering with your local area

Panhellenic does not register you for Texas

A&M Recruitment.

We ask that you register as soon as you possi-

ble a er your gradua on, to ensure that your

updated transcript is received by CPC. Please

email your transcript to us at

[email protected].

A mutual selection process. Sorority Recruitment is a mutual selec on process. This means that while you are deciding which house is right for

you, the houses are also deciding which PNMs are right for them. At the end of the four rounds of Recruitment (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Fri-

day) you will board the bus to leave sorority row and head back to campus. The busses will drop you off at the Student Compu ng Center, where you will

log onto the computer system and rank which houses you would like to go back to the next day. Meanwhile, the sorori es will gather at the end of the day

to vote on which PNMs they would like to invite back. Usually, most sorori es have specific criteria they are targe ng that year (for example high GPA,

extracurricular involvement, or other basics) and these are their deciding factors at the beginning of the week. During Sisterhood and Preference

Evening, the sorori es will decide which PNMs they have had the best connec on and conversa ons with during the en re week. Any sorority who has

invited you back to their Preference round is more than interested in you and would cherish you as a new member of their organiza on. Likewise, any so-

rority that you have on your preference card should be an organiza on to which you feel you could belong. The Panhellenic Council members and advisor

have absolutely no ability to affect the invita ons offered by chapters.

Go Greek round. On Monday and Tuesday, PNMs will visit every house (six per day) and learn about

the benefits of going Greek, as well as general facts about the chapters.

Philanthropy round. PNMs will visit a maximum of nine houses on Wednesday and learn about

their philanthropies. Usually the house will have a presenta on or cra that day.

Sisterhood round. PNMs will visit a maximum of six houses on Thursday and will see a skit in each

house, as well as have an opportunity to meet and talk to more members.

Preference round. PNMs will visit a maximum of three houses and each house will have a more

serious event planned. This day you should really have formed bonds with members in the chapter and

your conversa ons should be much deeper than the earlier days.

Bid day. PNMs will receive their bids and be transported by bus to sorority row to spend the evening

with their new sisters.

In the event of any emergency during Recruitment week, please contact your Rho Gammas by phone

immediately. They will provide you with their phone numbers at Convoca on.

Questions to Ask

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If you aren’t sure what to talk about during Recruitment, here are some questions to ask Members...

How did you know this was the right chapter for you? During Recruitment, your Rho Gammas will tell you to look for the house that you

feel a “connec on” with. If you search too hard for this connec on, or wait around for it to find you, you may not even no ce if you feel it. Many women

find a home in a sorority for very different reasons, so if you’re unsure of whether a house is right for you or not, ask the girl you’re talking to what the

reason is that she joined.

What events do you have to bring your new members closer together? One of the primary reasons many women join sorori es is to

make lifelong friendships with like-minded women who have similar values. However, these friendships don’t just blossom because you both put on the

same le ers on a t-shirt. The new-member chairs/leaders will orchestrate gatherings to help you and your new sisters bond, so you can ask them about the

different events they have.

What emphasis do you place on schoolwork? All sorori es take academics seriously, but they all have different programs or incen ves to mo -

vate members to achieve higher grades. If you’re concerned about scholas c programming within the sorority, be sure to ask ques ons like this to get a

feel for the house that you believe can help you achieve your academic goals.

What on-campus organizations are you involved in? While this ques on may seem a li le bland, the response can give you an idea of

where members choose to invest their extra me. However, when it comes to the later rounds of the week, you will want to move on to deeper ques ons

than this surface level one.

What do you like to do for fun with your sisters? You’ll want to know what to expect when you join, and what be er way to find out

than to learn what these girls typically do in their free me? This ques on could lead to you discovering that you both love sci-fi movies or you each spent

the summer in Jamaica, and can help you bond over having common ground.

How important is community service to you? At Texas A&M, we pride ourselves on our dedica on to be ering the lives of others. If service is

the cornerstone of your involvement, you’ll want to ask about the emphasis it has in the sorority so you’re able to make an informed decision about

joining. Some sorori es spend more me giving hours of service to local charitable organiza ons, while others show their support through financial

contribu ons. Whatever your desired level of involvement is, you can find your preference if you simply ask about it.

Sororities want to learn about you, but you need to know about them too if you want to know which one to join.

Recruitment Info

14

Anti-Hazing Statement

What Counts As A Legacy? Alpha chi omega Sister, mother, grandmother

Alpha delta pi Sister, mother, grandmother chi omega Sister, mother

Delta delta delta Sister, mother, step-sister, step-mother

Delta gamma Sister, mother, grandmother, step-sister, step-

mother

Delta zeta Sister, mother, grandmother

Gamma phi beta Sister, mother, grandmother, step-sister, step-

mother

Kappa alpha theta Sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother

Kappa delta Sister, mother, grandmother, step-sister, step-

mother

Kappa kappa gamma Sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother

Pi beta phi Sister, mother, grandmother

Zeta tau alpha Sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother

A sorority member, who believes in true sisterhood and the

ideals embraced by their fraternity or sorority ritual, could

not possibly haze a pledge/associate member or sister. Every

na onal sorority represented by a chapter on the Texas A&M

University campus has denounced and forbade hazing. The

State of Texas has enacted legisla on which makes hazing a

criminal offense. Texas A&M University is uncondi onally

opposed to any situa on created to produce mental and/or

physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule.

As such, Aggie Sorority Women are expected to uphold the

principles and ideals of their sorority rituals, respect federal,

state and local laws and abide by Texas A&M University

Student Rules regarding par cipa on in ac vi es that could

be interpreted as hazing. Aggie sorority members are also

expected to immediately report any such ac vity of which

you become aware to your advisor, the University Police,

Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life or Offices of the Dean of

Student Life (anonymously if necessary). Your failure to re-

port an act of hazing is in effect giving tacit approval of an ac-

vity that is not in line with your sorority ideals and values

nor that of the Aggie Code of Honor.

Recommendations

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Addresses

Le ers of recommenda on can be wri en on your behalf by any alumnae member

of a sorority, no ma er which university they a ended. These le ers provide

chapters with more informa on about you and are seen as endorsements by the

women wri ng them. Recommenda on le ers are very helpful in the recruitment

process as they allow chapter members to get an impression of your personality

before recruitment even begins. If you are going to a ain le ers of

recommenda on, here are some things to make sure you do:

Ask early. Give the women wri ng your recommenda ons plenty of me to get them submi ed, to either their

local alumnae group or to the chapter Recruitment Chairs, aim to begin asking for these in March.

Include your information. To write a le er of recommenda on on your behalf, an alumna of a sorority will

need a copy of your social resume (everything you did in high school), your transcript, your SAT scores, and a picture.

These will all eventually be passed on to the chapter at Texas A&M. The picture will help the chapters learn what you

look like, so they are able to more easily recognize you during Recruitment. A senior portrait is perfect for this purpose.

Investigate. You might be surprised who was in a sorority in college that you don’t know about. Ask your teachers,

mother’s friends, women you babysit for, and any other women you know if they were in one of our twelve NPC

sorori es to obtain le ers from them. If you aren’t able to find an alum of a certain sorority, your local Panhellenic can

help you get in touch with women who would love to have coffee with you to get to know you so they can write you a

le er. We have many links to local Panhellenic websites on cpc.tamu.edu under the Recruitment tab, but if yours isn’t

there, try Google searching “(your city) alumnae panhellenic.”

Say thank you. The women who will send in your recommenda ons will have spent hours of their free me

cra ing a beau ful introduc on about you to the sorority. They deserve to be recognized, and a personalized le er of

thanks is just the way to do it.

More is better. While our Recruitment is not as intense as that of other schools, this is Texas and “le ers of

support” are completely recognized by chapters, as an addi on to your primary recommenda on le er. If you have more

than one alumnae connec on to a sorority, feel free to reach out to both for a recommenda on. Have the one who

knows you more personally write your primary recommenda on and the one who knows you less personally write the

le er of support. Each woman you ask will need a copy of your resume, transcript, SAT scores, and portrait.

Alpha Chi Omega

ATTN: Roxanne Reichl

1505 Olympia Way

College Sta on, TX 77840

Alpha Delta Pi

ATTN: Alyssa Amos

1500 Athens Drive


Chi Omega

ATTN: Leah Keeter

1501 Athens Drive


Delta Delta Delta:

ATTN: Mackenzie Edwards

1503 Olympia Way


Delta Gamma

ATTN: Jenna Pace

1120 University Oaks Blvd.


Delta Zeta

ATTN: Leslie Wright

1501 Olympia Way


Gamma Phi Beta

Lisa Spieldenner

3018 W Steepbank Circle

Sugarland, TX 77479

Kappa Delta

ATTN: Lindsay Ernest

P.O. Box 12008.


Kappa Alpha Theta

ATTN: Shannon O’Brien

1503 Athens Drive


Kappa Kappa Gamma

ATTN: Jackie Groves

1502 Athens Drive


Pi Beta Phi

ATTN: Stephanie Grissom

1601 Munson Avenue


Zeta Tau Alpha

ATTN: Kalie Lewis

1403 Athens Drive


What to Expect as a New Member

16

Study Hall Hours

Panhellenic Events

Philanthropy Events

Active Participation

Recruitment Events

Each chapter has programming during the

new member period to help their new

members adjust to college life.

Each chapter requires a certain academic standard to be fulfilled by

members and new members, and many have mandatory study hall

hours to be completed each week during your first semester.

Panhellenic requires new members to a end various seminars and

events throughout the semester. At the end of the Spring, we host

Progressing Panhellenic, a program during which we recognize and

award chapters and members for outstanding contribu ons to Greek

Life and Texas A&M.

Each chapter enjoys serving its na onal and local philanthropy. Every

year, chapters host at least one philanthropy event each to raise

money to donate to their charitable organiza ons. All ac ve and new

members are usually required to par cipate in some capacity during

this event.

As a new member, you will be required to a end weekly Monday

night mee ngs. You will also be encouraged to par cipate in new

member events such as mixers, sisterhood bonding events, pledge

class dinners, etc. Each new member experience varies, but you will

get out of it what you put into it. The amount and quality of the me

you spend ge ng to know your new sisters will define the rela on-

ships you form with them.

In the Spring, chapters hold recruitment workshops to prepare for the

upcoming Fall Recruitment. You will usually be required to par cipate

in more of these as you have not had any recruitment experience in

the past. These are typically fun and usually only last for a couple of

hours a few mes during the Spring semester. During the Fall, you will

be required to a end Work Week and Recruitment for the two weeks

prior to school star ng.

The new member period is different for

each sorority in length and the experi-

ence. Some sorori es have more manda-

tory events than others, but most will

allow for excused absences if necessary. If

you have any concerns about balancing

school and a sorority or being able to

adjust to college life while being involved

in organiza ons, rest assured knowing

that thousands of women not only

manage to achieve that balance, but excel

at it. Women in sorori es far surpass non

Greek women in terms of scholas c

achievement, on-campus involvement,

and building friendships upon entry at

Texas A&M. You will come into a group of

women who not only have experienced

the uncertainty you may be facing, but

also want to see your dreams come true.

Joining a sorority is by far the most frui ul

me commitment and can open doors for

you in all aspects of collegiate and

post-gradua on life.

Recruitment Info

17

In Her Bag...

Tips from Panhellenic Don’t believe all the rumors you hear. If it sounds too

absurd to be true, then it probably isn’t true. Feel free to

talk to your Rho Gammas about any concerns you have.

Be careful what you say about other sorori es to those

around you. You should always be respec ul of others’

right to choose the place that feels right for them, and

their opinion shouldn’t have to be affected by yours.

It’s August in Texas… trust us, it will be HOT! Choose

light-weight dresses and be sure to wear sunscreen! And

it’s OK to sweat. Everyone will understand, they’ve been

in your shoes before.

You won’t be allowed to carry anything with you into the

houses (the Rho Gammas will stay outside to watch your

bags) so leave your nice purse or bag in your room. All

you’ll need is a durable, light-weight tote to carry your

necessi es from house to house.

It’s OK to make your own decision. Throughout the

week, you may have friends and even close family mem-

bers pushing you in one direc on, when you feel pulled

in another. Keep in mind that YOU are the one joining a

sorority and YOU know where you will be happiest,

despite what a friend or a stereotype says.

Bring Febreze or some other good-smelling spray for

your t-shirt a er the first day of the Go Greek round.

You will probably sweat and you’ll want to have

something to help freshen up your shirt for Tuesday.

Water & snacks. Water will be provided outside of each house. However,

you may want to bring your own for convenience and it will be hot outside so be

sure to stay hydrated. Your Rho Gammas will let you know what day we will be

providing food for you, but on the other days you’ll need to pack some healthy,

energizing snacks to sustain you.

A brush, bobby pins, & hair ties. To keep your hair looking great dur-ing the day.

Make-up & mirror. For touch ups between par es.

An umbrella. Just in case a surprise summer shower hits!

This booklet & a pen. If you forget to bring your Recruitment Guide

along, we will have more copies to pass out. Use the pages in the back to take

notes between par es so you’re able to remember which houses you enjoyed

when it’s me to rank your preferences.

Mints. To keep your breath fresh for mul ple conversa ons.

Small towel & fan. To wipe off sweat and keep yourself cool while you’re wai ng for the next party to start.

Deodorant. This goes along with the small towel and fan.

Flip Flops. Bring some comfortable shoes in your bag to wear while you

walk from house to house, so your feet aren’t killing you in your heels.

Band-Aids. We hope you won’t need these, but it’s be er to be prepared for

a blister than to not be.

Oil blotting sheets. Self-explanatory.

A camera. For pictures with your friends in the morning. You only go

through Recruitment once, save the memories!

Necessities for Recruitment week

Recruitment Schedule

18

Sunday, Convocation

Wednesday, Philanthropy

The week of Recruitment begins on Sunday, August 24th and lasts un l Saturday, August 30th. During the week, you will have the

opportunity to meet mul ple members from each chapter and learn about what life in their sorority is like. Here is a more detailed schedule

for each day of Recruitment. Remember, don’t miss the bus! (All of the following are subject to change if circumstance requires.)

Monday, Go Greek!

Tuesday, Go Greek! On Monday and Tuesday (for the Go Greek days) wear cute shorts or a skirt with

the Go Greek t-shirt you receive at Convoca on, with comfortable shoes. No

altering of the shirt is allowed.

On Wednesday (Philanthropy day) wear a casual sundress or skirt and top with flats

or sandals. You will be doing the most walking on this day, so wedges are probably

not the most comfortable choice.

At Convoca on you will meet your Rho Gammas and learn about what is in store

for you for the coming week. The a re is super casual and there will not be any

sorority ac ves at convoca on (except for disaffiliated Rho Gammas and CPC Exec

members) so gym shorts and a t-shirt are acceptable.

Check-In begins at 2:00pm in the Memorial Student Center, room 2400. The first Convoca on program will

begin at 3:00pm and last un l 5:00pm.

Party 1 - 9:00-9:20am

Party 2 - 9:35-9:55am

Party 3 - 10:10-10:30am

Party 4 - 10:45-11:05am

Party 5 - 11:20-11:40am

Party 6 - 11:55-12:15pm

Party 7 - 12:30-12:50pm

Party 8 - 1:05-1:25pm

Party 9 - 1:40-2:00pm

Party 10 - 2:15-2:35pm

Total Events: 10 Length of Par es: 20 minutes Break Between: 15 minutes

Morning busses begin at: 7:15 a.m. Morning busses end at: 8:15 a.m.

Party 1 - 9:00-9:20am

Party 2 - 9:35-9:55am

Party 3 - 10:10-10:30am

Party 4 - 10:45-11:05am

Party 5 - 11:20-11:40am

Party 6 - 11:55-12:15pm

Party 7 - 12:30-12:50pm

Party 8 - 1:05-1:25pm

Party 9 - 1:40-2:00pm


Morning busses begin at: 7:15 a.m. Morning busses end at: 8:15 a.m.

Party 1 - 12:00-12:35pm

Party 2 - 12:50-1:25pm

Party 3 - 1:40-2:15pm

Party 4 - 2:30-3:05pm

Party 5 - 3:20-3:55pm

Break

Party 6 - 5:15-5:50pm

Party 7 - 6:05-6:40pm


Busses to row begin at: 10:15 a.m. Morning busses end at: 11:15 a.m.

Recruitment Schedule

19

Thursday, Sisterhood Showcase

Friday, Preference Evening

Saturday, Bid Day!

Follow us on Social Media to get updates during the week

On Thursday (Sisterhood

day), wear a dress nicer

than a sundress/day dress,

with wedges or heels.

During this round you will

usually get to sit down once

you go inside the houses, so

wear something that you

feel comfortable si ng,

standing and walking in.

You will also be on the row

for less me than Wednes-

day, and hopefully in cooler

hours of the day, so if you

want to break out a maxi

dress now is the me.

On Friday (Preference

evening), wear a cocktail

dress with heels and nice

jewelry.

On Bid Day just wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Once you receive your bid

and arrive at your chapter house on sorority row, you will be given a sorority t-shirt

to change into inside the house. Most girls usually wear nice shorts and fix their hair

for Bid Day because there will be a lot of photos taken.

Party 1 - 12:00-12:45pm

Party 2 - 1:05-1:50pm

Party 3 - 2:10-2:55pm

Party 4 - 3:15-4:00pm

Party 5 - 4:20-5:05pm

Party 6 - 5:25-6:10pm


Busses to row begin at: 10:15 a.m. Busses end at: 11:15 a.m.

Check-In at Rudder Auditorium begins at 11:30 a.m.

Second Convoca on program - 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Party 1 - 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Party 2 - 5:55-6:55 p.m.

Party 3 - 7:20-8:20 p.m.


Busses to row begin at: 2:00 p.m. Busses end at: 3:45 p.m.

Check-In begins at 3:00 p.m.

Bid Card Distribu on - 4:00-4:15 p.m.

Bid Card Reveal - 4:15-4:30 p.m.

Rho Gamma Reveal - 4:30-4:45 p.m.

Pictures & Load Busses to Sorority Row - 5:00-5:15 p.m.

Arrive at the place your Rho Gammas tell you at 3:00pm

All clothing, jewelry, and

Jack Rogers sandals

(modeled on these pages

by members of the

Collegiate Panhellenic

Council) were generously

provided by Sabi Bou que. Located on Holleman & Dartmouth, just

below the Wolf Pen Creek Lo s.

Recruitment Info

20

Do I need to go to all of the events listed in the recruitment schedule? Yes! The objec ve

of Recruitment is for you as a Poten al New Member to learn as much as you can about the Texas A&M Greek

community as well as each of the chapters, so that you can make the best possible decision regarding membership.

If you are on an NCAA sports team or have some other prior commitment during Recruitment week, please contact

Cybil at [email protected] as soon as possible so we can try to accommodate you!

Will all participants pledge a sorority at the end of recruitment? Yes! As long as you max-

imize your op ons (meaning, you go to every party you are invited back to and you list the maximum number that

you can on your preference night list) you are guaranteed a bid to one of the sorori es’ par es you a end on Pref

Night. If you single inten onal pref (meaning if you are able to list three houses on you preference list but you only

list one or two) you are not guaranteed a bid. There is absolutely zero benefit to single inten onal preffing and it

is highly discouraged. Furthermore, if you single inten onal pref, you are ineligible to receive a snap bid on bid day

(one that could have been to your top choice house!)

If I participate in formal recruitment, am I obligated to join a sorority? No. If you par cipate in formal Recruitment and decide during or at the end of the week that joining a sorority is not for you,

you are not obligated to accept a bid or join a sorority. In the past, women have arrived on Thursday or Friday of

Recruitment to find out that they were not invited back to the house that they were pining for (whether it be their

mother’s house, their best friend’s house, or the one with the colors that bring out their eyes, etc.) and decided to

leave immediately, without a ending that day’s par es. We highly recommend that you keep an open mind when

coming through Recruitment and trust that whatever is meant to happen will happen. We have 12 outstanding

NPC sorori es on this campus, all with their own strong points and things that make them uniquely special. Joining

any of these 12 sorori es would mean seizing an incredible opportunity to serve, excel, and lead.

If I am a legacy to a sorority, is there anything I should know? Sorori es want to know

who their legacies are, so please indicate that you are a legacy when you are registering for recruitment on our

website. With regard to legacies, Panhellenic does not have any specific policies. Each sorority has its own policy

regarding legacies and it is up to the discre on of each individual chapter as to whether they are interested in

offering membership to a legacy. Likewise, legacies are not obligated to pledge the chapter to which they are a

legacy. Each Poten al New Member is evaluated on an individual basis and sorori es are more so likely to consider

mutual compa bility versus a familial connec on.

What if I am not a freshman and want to participate in recruitment? A Poten al New

Member who graduated high school prior to December of 2013 is considered an upperclassman. Texas A&M u liz-

es an upperclassmen/secondary quota which is separate from the freshman/primary quota. This dual-quota sys-

tem gives all women par cipa ng in recruitment an equal opportunity to pledge, regardless of their year in school.

What if I only want to be in a certain sorority? Only wan ng to be a member of one specific

sorority or only considering a few sorori es can severely limit your op ons for membership and can lead to disap-

pointment, whether it be during recruitment week or a er accep ng a bid. Please don’t choose a sorority based on

stereotypes or other people’s opinions. If you follow your heart and truly keep an open mind, you will end up in

the right place for you.

If I really like a sorority during recruitment, should I tell them I do? Yes! It won’t seem

weird if you gush to a woman in the house that you love, telling her that you’re dying to be there on bid day! When

sorori es choose who to invite back the next day, they take into account which PNMs really seemed interested in

them and as if they were enjoying themselves in the house. If you like a sorority, tell them! They are more likely to

take a PNM who clearly loves them than one who seems nonchalant or uninterested.

During Recruitment Week

21

Here are some of our favorite places to eat & shop in College Station...

During Recruitment Week you’ll have some extra me in the mornings and a ernoons most

days during which you can go out for a meal with your Rho Gamma group or new friends,

shop for last minute ou it addi ons and explore College Sta on. Check out the Recruitment

schedule on the previous page to see when you’ll be free during Howdy Week.

Shopping Sabi Boutique Sabi is a bou que owned and operated by women who are alumnae of sorori es. They carry clothes appropriate for every day

of Recruitment, jewelry (Kendra Sco & more), shoes, handbags, decora ons & candles, monogrammed items, sorority

paraphernalia… basically anything you could want for Recruitment and college/sorority life in general. This is a one-stop shop

for Bid Day gi s and Recruitment wear that is sure to impress.

Sabi is located at 614 Holleman Dr E, College Sta on, TX 77840 and their hours are: Mon 2-7, Tues-Sat 10-7, Sun Closed

Dining Newk’s Eatery Newk’s is a casual café on University Drive that serves pizza, sandwiches, salads, etc. and is a perfect spot for lunch or dinner

during the week with friends or your Rho Gamma group. Be sure to bring your Texas A&M student ID to get a free drink with

your meal and a plas c cup you can take home! (first college souvenir, yay!) It’s close to sorority row, too, through the shortcut

of Munson Street, so it’s a hot spot for sorority women when they want a quick bite. Newk’s is also a popular spot for profit

shares with their wide range menu and they host numerous Give Back Nights for all non-profit organiza ons, as well as sorori-

es. They are available for catering events and love hiring Aggies, so if you are looking for a job for the school year, Newk’s is a

perfect place to put in an applica on! While you’re there, try the BBQ Chicken Pizza or the Shrimp Remoulade Salad (those are

our favorites). Newk’s is located at 1613 University Drive, College Sta on, TX 77840 and is open every day 11am-9pm.

Our Sororities

22

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Founded: 1885

Colors: Scarlet & Olive Green

Symbols: Lyre & Red Carna on

Mo o: “Together Let Us Seek The Heights”

Local Mascot: Alligator

Philanthropy: Domes c Violence Awareness

Founded: 1851

Colors: Azure Blue & White

Symbols: Woodland Violet & Diamond

Mo o: “We Live For Each Other”

Mascot: Lion

Philanthropy: The Ronald McDonald House

Founded: 1895

Colors: Cardinal & Straw

Symbols: Skull and Crossbones & White Carna on

Mo o: “Sisters inspired by our values who serve the world while keeping

Chi Omega ever at heart”

Mascot: Owl

Philanthropy: The Make-A-Wish Founda on, S ll Creek Girls Ranch

Chi Omega

“Alpha Chi”

“A D Pi”

“Chi O”

Our Sororities

23

Delta Delta Delta

Delta Zeta

Founded: 1902

Colors: Rose & Green

Symbols: Roman Lamp & Pink Killarney Rose

Mo o: “Let The Flame Endure Forever”

Mascot: Turtle

Philanthropy: Be er Speech and Hearing, The Painted Turtle Camp,

Isaiah’s Place

Founded: 1888

Colors: Silver, Gold & Cerulean Blue

Symbols: Pearl, Pine & Pansy

Mo o: “Let Us Steadfastly Love One Another”

Mascot: Dolphin

Philanthropy: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Delta Gamma

Founded: 1873

Colors: Bronze, Pink & Blue

Symbol: Anchor & Cream-colored Rose

Mo o: “Do Good”

Mascot: Hannah Doll

Philanthropy: Service for Sight, Guide Dogs of Texas

“D Z”

“D G”

“Tri Delta”

Our Sororities

24

Kappa Alpha Theta

Gamma Phi Beta

Kappa Delta

Founded: 1874

Colors: Brown & Mode

Symbols: Pink Carna on & Crescent Moon

Mo o: “Founded Upon A Rock”

Philanthropy: Girls On The Run, Camp Fire USA

Founded: 1870

Colors: Black & Gold

Symbols: Kite, Twin Stars & Pansy

Mo o: “Faith, Hope, and Love”

Philanthropy: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Sco y’s House

Founded: 1897

Colors: Olive Green & Pearl White

Symbols: Nau lus Shell, Dagger & White Rose

Mo o: “Let Us Strive for that Which is Honorable, Beau ful and Highest”

Mascot: Teddy Bear & Katydid

Philanthropy: Prevent Child Abuse America, Girl Scouts of the USA,

Prenatal Clinic in Bryan

“Gamma Phi”

“Theta”

“K D”

Our Sororities

25

Pi Beta Phi

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Zeta Tau Alpha

Founded: 1898

Colors: Turquoise Blue & Steel Gray

Symbols: Five-pointed Crown, Strawberry & White Violet

Mo o: “Seek The Noblest”

Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Educa on & Awareness

Founded: 1867

Colors: Wine & Silver Blue

Symbols: Golden Arrow

Mascot: Angel

Philanthropy: Literacy, FirstBook, Barbara Bush Parent Center in College

Sta on

Founded: 1870

Colors: Light Blue & Dark Blue

Symbols: Key & Fleur de Lis

Mascot: Owl

Philanthropy: Reading is Fundamental, Nehemiah Child Care Center in

Navasota

“Kappa”

“Pi Phi”

“Zeta”

26

Associate Member Zeta Beta Sigma

Founded: 2010 at Texas A&M University

Colors: Blue, White & Black

Symbols: Diamond & Stargazer Lily

Mo o: “Everlas ng, Ever-growing With Passionate Hearts, Together As One”

Mascot: Bu erfly

Philanthropy: Brazos Valley Food Bank

History: ZBS is a historically Jewish sorority, but accepts women of any religion

Zeta Beta Sigma is an associate member of the Collegiate Panhellenic Council at Texas A&M. ZBS does not par cipate in formal Fall Recruitment and takes members a er the school year begins.

“Z B S”

Dear PNMs,

I have had the huge pleasure of producing this guide for

you with the hope that I could give you a glimpse into

what life is like as a Texas A&M sorority woman. If there

is anything that I can help you with, any ques on I can

answer, or if you just want to talk, I am always available

and would love to chat with you. My email address can

be found on our website, cpc.tamu.edu.

If you are s ll on the fence about going through sorority

recruitment a er reading this guide, I encourage you to

go through Recruitment just to try it out. Worst case:

you decide it’s not for you. Best case: you find an amaz-

ing group of women who will con nue to inspire and

challenge you for your en re life.

I am so excited to meet you all this August and cannot wait to see the incredible week

the chapters have in store.

Joyfully,

Kennedy Packwood, Collegiate Panhellenic Council VP of Public Rela ons

More Pictures

27

Go Greek - Notes

28

Philanthropy -Notes

29

Skit Night - Notes

30

Pref Night -Notes

31

32

Map of Sorority Row DOMINIK

ATH

ENS

OLYM

PIA

UNIVERSITY OAKS

MUNSO

N

IFC

HOUSE

ZETA

TAU

ALPHA

CHI

OMEG

A

KAPPA

ALPHA

THETA

ALPHA

CHI

OMEG

A

DELTA

DELTA

DELTA

DELTA

ZETA

GAMMA

PHI

BETA

KAPPA

KAPPA

GAMMA

ALPHA

DELTA

PI

PI

BETA

PHI

KAPPA DELTA

DELTA GAMMA

BUS STOP &

PICK UP

texas a&m 2014 recruitment guide

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