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University of Oklahoma Panhellenic Recruitment Look Book 2016

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Learn more about Panhellenic Recruitment at the University of Oklahoma. For additional information about our community, visit www.pan.ou.edu.

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PanhellenicRecruitment

Look Book

2016

Welcome!On behalf of the OU Greek community and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Student Life, I would like to extend congratulations to you on your acceptance to the University ofOklahoma. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Student Life, which is comprised of four full-time professional staff members, is located in the Oklahoma Memorial Union and providesoversight and guidance to the fraternities and sororities recognized by OU.

More significantly, our office serves as a liaison between faculty, alumni advisers, nationaloffices and parents; develops values-based leadership development programming; providestraining in areas such as chapter operations, risk management, health and safety, andmembership recruitment; monitors the academic performance of fraternity and sororitymembers; and recognizes the positive achievements and contributions of communitymembers.

It is our hope that you find the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Student Life to be a resource, not only to you, but also toyour parents. If at any point you have questions about Greek life or Fall Formal Sorority Recruitment, please do nothesitate to contact us at (405) 325-3163 or [email protected]. Again, congratulations on your decision to attend theUniversity of Oklahoma, and we look forward to seeing you in August!

Very best, Jill Tran Fraternity and Sorority Student Life Coordinator, Panhellenic Recruitment Adviser

Welcome to the University of Oklahoma Panhellenic Association! First and foremost,congratulations on joining the Sooner Family! In addition, we are excited and honored that youare considering joining one of the largest student organizations on campus. Along with TheUniversity of Oklahoma's many other traditions, being established in 1909, the PanhellenicGreek life at the University of Oklahoma continues to be one of the oldest and richest traditionsour campus has to offer.

The OU Panhellenic Association is the coordinating and governing body of our 11 NationalPanhellenic Conference sororities. These chapters represent over 2,900 women, which makesus the largest women’s group at OU! Our membership numbers are evidence of the stronginfluence that sorority women have on campus and within the community. Each of ourchapters has an outstanding reputation both locally and nationally.

Each sorority at the University of Oklahoma has something special and unique to offer. You will find that sorority womenat OU are well-rounded individuals who strive for excellence in scholarship, campus involvement, and communityservice. We hope that you consider becoming a member of our Panhellenic family!

Christa Cherian, 2016 University of Oklahoma Panhellenic Association President

Scholarship

Service

Leadership

Sisterhood

Our Core ValuesThe Panhellenic Association at the University of Oklahoma has been the center ofwomen's leadership and service on campus since 1909. The council serves as the

coordinating body of the 11 NPC affiliated sororities on campus and promotes ourfour core values in all we do - scholarship, service, leadership and sisterhood.

Greek organizations were founded on theprinciple of exceptional scholarship. Ourchapters provide academic mentoring, tutoringservices, time management seminars, proctoredstudy halls, and information on free campusresources.

Sorority women recognize the need to donatetime, talent, and funds to special philanthropiesand community service projects. Each of ourchapters provides assistance to their ownindividual philanthropic organizations as well asPanhellenic's philanthropy, Among Friends.

Greek life is a direct springboard into campusinvolvement. Greek life provides multipleleadership development opportunities to help ourmembers attain their goals.

Joining the Panhellenic Association meanshaving nearly 3,000 women on your team.Sororities offer new friends, lifelong bonds, andinvaluable experiences that will last long after yourcollege years end.

Panhellenic CreedWe, as undergraduate members of

women's fraternities, stand for goodscholarship, for guarding of good health,

for maintenance of fine standards, andfor serving, to the best of our ability, our

college community.

Cooperation for furthering fraternity life,in harmony with its best possibilities, isthe ideal that shall guide our fraternity

activities.

We, as fraternity women, stand forservice through the development of

character inspired by the close contactand deep friendship of individual

fraternity and Panhellenic life. Theopportunity for wide and wise humancontact, through mutual respect andhelpfulness, is the tenet by which we

strive to live.

Our CommunityThe University of Oklahoma Panhellenic Association is a vibrant community filled

with scholars, leaders, and engaged citizens. We pride ourselves on bringingexcellence to our community every day. Take some time to learn about our

community.

3.31 All Panhellenic Grade Point Average3.23 All Women's Grade Point Average

community service hours completed108,472

$350,000raised for philanthrpic causes

1,800executive positions on campus

1,482 of our members are from Oklahoma & 1,467 represent 39 states & 4 countries!

2,949women

11chapters

40

48

1,027

609

38

31

197

143

62

10

359

385

Architecture Atmospheric & Geographic SciencesArts & SciencesBusinessInternational StudiesEarth & EnergyEducationEngineeringFine ArtsIndependent ProgramsJournalism & Mass CommunicationUniversity College

Member Breakdown by College

Your First YearThe University of Oklahoma Panhellenic Association strives to make every year ofthe sorority experience a great one - however we recognize that the first year canbe the most exciting and influential of all. Below are some things you can expect

during your first year in a Panhellenic chapter.

Study Hall Hours

New Member Meetings

Community Service Hours

Philanthropy Events

Recruitment Events

Active Participation

Some chapters require a certain number of study hall hours to becompleted each week during your first semester at OU. Sororitiesalso implement a number of educational programs to assist newmembers in the academic transition from high school to college.

As a new member, you will be required to attend weekly newmember meetings in addition to weekly chapter meetings. Thegoal of these meetings is to teach new members the values,traditions, and rituals of the sorority.

Many chapters require a certain number of community servicehours to be completed each semester. Sorority women maintain apresence within the community by giving back as often aspossible.

Each Greek chapter enjoys serving its local and nationalphilanthropy and will host events each semester to raiseawareness and donations for the cause. New members are invitedto attend these events as a way to socialize within the communitywhile helping a worthy cause.

In the spring, chapters host recruitment workshops to help theirnew members prepare for next year's Fall Formal Recruitment. Asa new member, you will be expected to attend and participate inthese events.

As a new member, you will be encouraged to participate in campusand Greek-wide events such as The Big Event, Soonerthon, andHomecoming. These events are not only fun but they also providean opportunity for you to meet other members of the Greekcommunity.

New Member EducationThe Panhellenic Association hosts variouseducational programs each year to help educate ourstudents on topics such as leadership and riskmanagement. Our programs include the following:

Hazing & Alcohol AwarenessSexual Assault Awareness & ActiveBystander TrainingPositive Social Media Strategies

SafeBreakIn March 2016, the Panhellenic Association hostedits 12th annual SafeBreak. This event is held eachspring to increase awareness about safety and smartdecision-making during Spring Break. Each year, wededicate the event to celebrating the life of LisaWeider, a beloved member of the Panhelleniccommunity and Alpha Omicron Pi sisterhood at OU,who tragically passed away during her Spring Breakvacation in 2004.

The purpose of Safebreak is to remind students tohave fun but still be safe on Spring Break so that ourcommunity never has to experience the tragedy oflosing a sister again. This event allows Panhellenicwomen to understand the impact of their actionsand the extreme importance of safety.

Financial Information

Sorority members have the opportunity to live in beautiful, historic homes just off of campus. Chapter houses areuniversity-approved housing for upperclassmen but are privately owned and maintained by local and national sorority

alumnae housing corporations.

Once accepted into sorority membership at OU, new members remain in the residence halls. Typically, sororitymembers do not move into the chapter facility until their sophomore, junior, or senior year. Upperclassmen may have

an obligation to live in the sorority house; however, each chapter regulates membership living.

Each sorority employs a full-time, live-director sometimes referred to as the "house mother." The house directoroversees the daily operations of the chapter facility and ensures it meets all health and safety standards.

Financial requirements are an important consideration for women participating insorority recruitment, so it is important to be as informed as possible with the costs

associated with the sorority experience. If you accept an invitation to join achapter, you will enter into a financial agreement and contract for housing and

dues during your collegiate years.

Dues and fees vary from chapter to chapter and year to year. It is important to notethat sorority costs may be more expensive the first year due to one-time fees andexpenses. It is also important to note that additional costs may arise throughout

the year such as pictures, party favors, and T-shirts.

Sorority Living

2016 - 2017 Financial Breakdown

First-Year Member Dues Average: $3,016.64Range: $1,450.00 - $4,016.00

Member Out of House DuesAverage: $2,719.92Range: $1,300.00 - $4,080.00

Member In House DuesAverage: $9,169.44Range: $7,760.00 - $13,210.00

Chapter Information Residence Hall Information

The cost for the University of Oklahomaresidence halls for the 2015-2016 academicyear was $9,126.00 for a tower doubleroom with the all-meals plan.

It is important to note that all singlefreshmen students who are not 20 years ofage and who do not have at least 24 hoursof college credit from an accreditedinstitution must live in a residence hall forthe first two semesters of their collegecareer.

Panhellenic Recruitment TeamBeing a sorority woman can be an integral part of yourcollege years. Panhellenic chapters enhance theundergraduate experience and provide opportunities foryou to become the best version of yourself. The Universityof Oklahoma’s Greek community is built on fostering highideals of friendship, scholarship, community service andleadership.

If you choose to become a part of this community, you willgain rewarding experiences and impacting memories.Sorority life allows you to become a key, contributing partto both the campus community and the universitytradition that has been active since 1909.

We would like to formally invite YOU to explore our 11Panhellenic chapters and discover what we have to offer.We highly encourage you to participate in ourrecruitment programs. By choosing to go throughrecruitment, you are exposing yourself to a myriad ofopportunities and connecting with exceptional membersof the Greek community.

Please take the time to read this online guide to betterhelp you understand how sorority life can benefit yourcollege career -- and henceforth decide if the FormalRecruitment process is right for you.

All of our Panhellenic chapters are unique and deliversomething different to their individual members. Webelieve that there is a sorority for everyone at theUniversity of Oklahoma and specifically one for YOU!Give the OU Greek system the opportunity to share withyou what it has to offer. Boomer Sooner!

-2016 Panhellenic Recruitment Team

Jessica GraroIvey Dyson

Becca PittsShay Hennagin

VP Recruitment Operations

[email protected]

VP Recruitment Programming

[email protected]

Recruitment Assistant

[email protected]

Recruitment Assistant

[email protected]

Recruitment RegistrationRegistration for the University of Oklahoma's Panhellenic Association Formal

Recruitment 2016 opens on June 1. After this date, you can log on to our websitewww.pan.ou.edu to sign up. Registration is $200 and that includes several meals

during the week as well as two T-shirts to wear on Round 1.

Registration DeadlinesRegistration opens onlineJune 1

July 15 Last day to register without late fee

Aug. 1 Last day for registration refund and Fall Formal Recruitment registrationcloses

Recruitment HousingAll PNMs must live in the residence halls during the FormalRecruitment process. For PNMs living in the residence hallsduring the academic year, Housing & Food will place you inyour permanent room upon move-in. Those not living inresidence hall rooms for the academic year will be placed ina temporary room for the week.

The cost of living in the residence halls during FormalRecruitment is not included in the campus living contractnor the Formal Recruitment registration costs. Housing costs$24.10 per day (this is based on the seven days and six nightsof usage prior to the start of the fall contract) and this fee willbe charged to your bursar account. Rates are subject tochange pending University of Oklahoma Regents' approval.

Recruitment MealsA light breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided on alldays of Formal Recruitment except Move-In Day, PreferenceRound (Round 4) and Bid Day. PNMs must purchase all othermeals during the week.

Tips & TricksBelow you can find some tips and tricks forregistering for Panhellenic Formal Recruitment. Asalways, if you have specific questions aboutregistration, please let us know at (405) 325-3163.

Be prepared. Have your updated resume, transcriptsand test scores nearby to plug into our onlineregistration system. You will be prompted to enterthis information that will be released to our 11chapters. Know your OU student ID number as well. Have a high-quality picture. Our online system willprompt you to upload an image with your profile. Thebetter resolution the image has, the better it will lookon your profile when the chapters download it. Don't be humble. This is a time to brag on yourself!You have worked hard up to this point so be sureyour registration profile reflects that. Be detailed inwhat you enter into the fields on the profile - this willbe considered your resume. Register early. We do not have a cap on our FormalRecruitment registration, but be sure to register priorto July 15, 2016 to avoid a $25 late fee. Be honest. It is important to note that Panhellenicstaff cross checks the academic data you input onyour registration profile with the University ofOklahoma's records office. The grades you wereadmitted to the university with should be the gradeslisted on your profile. If you update your grades withthe university, email [email protected] to updatethem with Panhellenic as well. Fill out everything. If a field is required but you do nothave the information needed, enter "0" or "N/A." You will not be registered for Formal Recruitmentwithout paying a $200 registration fee. You willreceive a confirmation email for your records afterregistering.

Schedule of EventsPanhellenic Formal Recruitment is a week-long process filled with fun times, a

chance to make memories, and plenty of opportunities to make new friends! Checkout the 2016 Panhellenic Formal Recruitment schedule below!

Wednesday, August 10Move In Day8:00 AM - Noon Potential New Members arrive and receive roomingassignments. Registration tents will be located in thehousing areas between Adams & Walker Centers.

4:00 PMMandatory Potential New Member Orientation inLloyd Noble Center

Thursday, August 11Round One Day One- Open HousePotential new members will visit half of the chapters.

Friday, August 12Round One Day Two - Open HousePotential new members will visit the remainingchapters from the previous day.

Saturday, August 13Round Two - Philanthropy DayPotential new members attend a maximum of eightparties.

Sunday, August 14Round Three - Sisterhood DayPotential new members attend a maximum of fiveparties.

Monday, August 15Round Four - Preference NightPotential new members attend a maximumof two parties.

Tuesday, August 16Bid Day2:00 PM Bids are distributed.

Thursday, August 18Sooner Orientation Weekend Begins2:00 PM Follow @OU_SOW for schedule updates and foradditional information.

Monday, August 22Fall Semester BeginsFall 2016 classes begin at the University ofOklahoma.

Connect with us to stay updated!www.pan.ou.edu

@OUPanhellenic

Formal RecruitmentFormal Recruitment is Panhellenic's largest recruitment event each year. FormalRecruitment is a time to meet women in all eleven chapters and to determine if

sorority life on campus is a good fit for you.

Round 1 - Open House Rounds11 parties attended | 25 Minute partiesAugust 11th & August 12th

What to Expect: This round of parties focuses on the importance andexcitement of "Going Greek!" During the first two days of recruitment, you willvisit all 11 sororities with your recruitment walking group. You will be greeted ateach chapter facility by door songs as you are welcomed into the party. Feel freeto ask questions of the members and to tell them a little bit about yourself as youbegin to get acquainted with each chapter.

What to Wear: Recruitment T-shirts (provided by the Panhellenic Association)and casual shorts or skirt with tennis shoes, flip flops or sandals.

Tip: These first two days are the longest and you will be doing a lot of walking,so you will definitely want to be dressed comfortably. Also, find a method thatworks for you to keep track of all the chapters you visit to help with yourselections at the end of Round One.

Round 2 - Philanthropy Round8 parties maximum | 35 Minute partiesAugust 13th

What to Expect: Community service is an important part of the overall Greekexperience and Philanthropy Day will give you a glimpse into the philanthropicwork that sororities participate in at the local and national levels. You will learnabout the women's involvement both on campus and within in the community.

What to Wear: Casual daytime dress, skirt or capris with comfortable sandals orflats.NO T-shirts or heels this round.

Tip: Think about what philanthropies are important to you and what serviceprojects you were involved in during high school. These will be great talkingpoints during this round of recruitment.

What to Expect: Sisterhood Day allows you the opportunity to learn about thevalues our organizations were founded on, as well as our beautiful sororityhomes. The parties on this day are informative and allow you more time forconversation with sorority women. You will be able to see firsthand theindividuality and spirit of each sorority, as well as experience the special bond ofsorority sisterhood.

What to Wear: A nice sundress with wedges, heels, or flats.

Tip: This is the day when you learn what each chapter is involved in on campusand what their founding values are. Think hard about what you would like to beinvolved in while at OU and what kind of sisterhood you want. Use this day tosee if this chapter can help you reach your goals.

5 parties maximum | 45 Minute partiesAugust 14th

Round 3 - Sisterhood Round

What to Expect: This is the day to really focus on what you want to gain fromjoining a sorority. An invitation to Preference Round means that the sorority isvery interested in having you become a member. The events focus on the coreaspects of sorority life, including sisterhood, friendship, and ritual. This is yourlast chance to interact with chapter members.

What to Wear: Cocktail dress with heels, perhaps a dress you would wear to anevening wedding.

Tip: Look around the room at each of your parties. Many of the other potentialnew members could be your pledge sisters, so make sure that you feelcomfortable.

2 parties maximum | 75 Minute partiesAugust 15th

Round 4 - Preference Round

What to Expect: Formal Recruitment ends with Bid Day. Bid cards will bedistributed by the Recruitment Guides at 2:00 PM. Families are welcome to jointhe new members at the sorority house. A Panhellenic representative will bedownstairs in Adams Center with a complete list showing where each womanjoined. (Parents, please do not go to your student's room while bids are beingdistributed by Recruitment Guides).

What to Wear: Shorts and comfortable shoes. You will receive a T-shirt with yournew sorority letters when you receive your bid card.

Tip: This is a very exciting and long day. Make sure to get a good night's rest, assome chapters will have a retreat planned immediately after Bid Day.

August 16th - Bids Distributed at 2:00 PM

Round 5 - Bid Day

Recruitment GuidesRecruitment Guides, or Rho Gammas, are upperclassmen women from variouschapters who disaffiliate from their chapters during the recruitment season in

order to help potential new members navigate recruitment. Check out the advice,tips, and tricks below from some of this year's Recruitment Guides!

Addi Wilson

Meaghan HolmBailey Brurud

Erin Kraemer Esther DeClerck

Emily Pool

"Even though you look a little goofychanging from wedges/sandals to

tennis shoes between parties, it makesfor a much more enjoyable

experience."

"Bring a notebook to write down yourthoughts after leaving each chapter

house. You will meet so many people,and this helps you remember

everything when it's selection time."

"Don't worry about what others aresaying in regards to chapters they

prefer. It's your decision, so choosethe chapters you feel most

comfortable with."

"During the week of FormalRecruitment it's okay to be selfish. It'sall about you - not your mom, sister,best friend - this is for you and what

fits best for you."

"If you forget to switch into your cutesandals and walk in with your Chacoson with a dress, don't sweat it. I did itaccidentally and it was a great talking

point!"

"If you aren't a fan of the wind-blownlook, it's nice to have a comb or brushhandle to do a last minute hair check

to make sure you look fab beforeentering your dream home!"

Junior | Fallon, NV Junior | Garland, TX Junior | Spring, TX

Junior | Edmond, OK Senior | Enid, OKJunior | Shreveport, LA

Recommendation LettersA letter of recommendation - also referred to as a "rec" is a recruitment informationform that is completed by an alumna of a specific sorority. These letters are used to

introduce a potential new member to the alumna's sorority chapter at theUniversity of Oklahoma.

Chapter Mailing Addresses

Sororities appreciate and use the information provided inletters of recommendation to assist in their recruitmentselection process. Some sororities require a letter ofrecommendation, but it is important to understand that, ifa sorority requires a recommendation, it is that individualsorority's responsibility to obtain said recommendation.

It is permissible for a PNM to ask a sorority alumnamember to complete a recommendation for for her ownchapter. However, it is inappropriate for a PNM (or anyoneon her behalf) to contact an alumna member that she doesnot know to ask for a recommendation. Each nationalsorority has its own guidelines and its ownrecommendation forms the alumna must use. If an alumnais not familiar with her own sorority's regulations, sheshould contact the national sorority.

Recommendation Information Tips & TricksAlways send a thank you note. Alumnae members arebusy and sending them a brief thank you will let themknow you appreciate them. Know what to send. Chapters need only therecommendation forms from alumnae members. Theydo not need packets, gifts, or anything else mailed totheir facilities. Forms can be sent to the chapterfacilities themselves, or the Panhellenic office. Get them in early. There is no official deadline forwhen letters of recommendation must be received,but we suggest before August 1 to give the chaptersample time to file the paperwork. Use your network. If you are worried about findingreferences, ask teachers, coaches, family friends, oranyone else you feel comfortable talking to. You mightfind you know more sorority women than you think.

Alpha Chi Omega1115 College Ave.

Norman, OK 73072

Alpha Gamma Delta930 Chautauqua Ave.

Norman, OK 73069

Alpha Omicron Pi 1411 Elm Ave.

Norman, OK 73072

Alpha Phi1401 College Ave.

Norman, OK 73072

Chi Omega820 Chautauqua Ave.

Norman, OK 73069

Delta Delta Delta1611 College Ave.

Norman, OK 73072

Delta Gamma744 Elm Ave.

Norman, OK 73069

Gamma Phi Beta1105 College Ave.

Norman, OK 73072

Kappa Alpha Theta845 Chautauqua Ave.

Norman, OK 73069

Kappa Kappa Gamma700 College Ave.

Norman, OK 73069

Pi Beta Phi 1701 Elm Ave.

Norman, OK 73072

Recommendations can also be sent to thePanhellenic Association office at:

Panhellenic AssociationATTN: [Sorority Name]

900 Asp Avenue Suite #370Norman, OK 73019

Formal Recruitment PoliciesThe University of Oklahoma Panhellenic Association Membership RecruitmentGuidelines are intended to help guide fraternity women and PNMs through themembership selection process and Formal Recruitment Week. The guidelines

incorporate many of the procedures recommended by the National PanhellenicConference.

Formal Recruitment GuidelinesA woman must be an enrolled, full-time undergraduate student at the Universityof Oklahoma (Norman or OUHSC campus) to be eligible to participate in formalor informal recruitment activities. Potential new members must register with the University of OklahomaPanhellenic Association and pay the registration and housing fees in order toparticipate in Formal Recruitment. All women participating in Formal Recruitment must live in the residence hallsduring the week of recruitment. PNMs must abide by the Membership Recruitment Guidelines published in theUniversity of Oklahoma Panhellenic Association Recruitment Look Book andNPC Unanimous Agreements. A PNM may not have guests (including family members) in her residence hallroom from 8:00 PM on August 10, 2016 until after the distribution of bids onAugust 16, 2016. All guests must be met in the lobby area of the residence hall. PNMs participating in Formal Recruitment must wear the name tags provided bythe Panhellenic Association during all Formal Recruitment activities. PNMS participating in Formal Recruitment must be in their own residence hallroom every night by 11:00 PM. PNMs participating in Formal Recruitment may not visit any fraternity chapterfrom August 10, 2016 - August 23, 2016, Sorority women may not visit chapterfacilities during fraternity recruitment. PNMs must attend all Formal Recruitment events at the designated times. A PNMmust receive prior approval from the Panhellenic Recruitment Chairmen or thePanhellenic Advisor to miss any event during the week. A PNM participating in Formal Recruitment shall not be, nor have ever been, aninitiated member of a NPC organization. A woman is ineligible for membership recruitment if she has been a newmember of a NPC sorority at the University of Oklahoma in the same calendaryear. A woman shall complete the "Membership Recruitment Acceptance" cardimmediately following the last preference event she attends. Once a"Membership Recruitment Acceptance" has been signed and submitted, nochanges may be made. A woman signing a "Membership Recruitment Acceptance" card and receiving abid at the end of Formal Recruitment shall be bound to the chapter she matchedby the agreement for one calendar year at the University of Oklahoma. Failure to follow any of these rules could result in dismissal from the FormalRecruitment process.

Summer ContactA potential new member should notbe in contact with a chaptermember, alumna member, oranyone acting on the sorority'sbehalf during the summer monthsfrom May 13, 2016 - August 22, 2016,or any time outside a scheduledFormal Recruitment event.

No woman is eligible to join asorority in the summer months oranytime when school is not insession with the exception of theend of Formal Recruitment.

Legacy InformationA legacy is defined as a daughter orsister of an initiated sorority memberunless an international or nationalorganization recognizes additionalrelations.

A legacy may not be given any gifts bythe legacy sorority.

Potential new members may notspend the night at a sorority houseunless prior approval is obtainedfrom the Panhellenic Advisor.However, a legacy is permitted tospend the night at a legacy sororityhouse, upon invitation, during theacademic year.

Helpful Terms & DefinitionsJoining a Panhellenic sorority at the University of Oklahoma is an exciting stepmany students choose to take in their collegiate journey - but our community cancome with a new set of lingo. If you have questions regarding the terms below, feelfree to reach out to anyone on our team for clarification.

Chapters

Chapter Bid

Continuous Open Bidding (COB)

Initiation

Intentional single preference (ISP)

New Member

Potential New Member

Recruitment Guide

Legacy

Panhellenic Association

National PanhellenicConference (NPC)

Party

Any member-sorority of the University ofOklahoma Panhellenic Association.

Any invitation to join a sorority.

An informal recruitment process thatPanhellenic sororities use to recruit newmembers outside of the designated FormalRecruitment period. Also called "OpenBidding," or Informal Recruitment.

A ceremony during which new membersreceive lifelong membership privileges

When a woman only lists one sorority on herMembership Recruitment Acceptance whentwo options are available.

A woman whose mother, sister, grandmother,or in some cases aunt or cousin, is an alumnamember of a specific Panhellenic sorority.

The National Panhellenic Conference providessupport and guidance for its 26-memberinternational sororities/women's fraternities andserves as the national voice on contemporary issuesof sorority life.

A woman who has accepted a sorority bid but is notyet an initiated member.

Parties are rounds of formal recruitment. When aPNM attends a round of recruitment, that specificround is called a "party."

The University of Oklahoma PanhellenicAssociation serves as the umbrella organization forthe 11 NPC affiliated chapters on campus. Thecouncil provides guidance, programming, serviceopportunities, and judicial oversight to themember organizations.

A potential new member is a woman who is goingthrough either the formal or informal recruitmentprocess. PNMs are not yet new members ofsororities.

A Recruitment Guide, or Rho Gamma, is anupperclassman member of a Panhellenic sorority.These women disaffiliate from their chapter'srecruitment process to help guide PNMs throughthe formal recruitment process.

Continuous Open BiddingContinuous Open Bidding (COB), sometimes called Informal Recruitment orContinuous Open Recruitment, is a way for women interested in joining our

Panhellenic system to become members in a less formal way. You can learn moreabout COB below or visit our website, www.pan.ou.edu.

What is Continuous Open Biddingor Informal Recruitment?

Continuous Open Recruitment begins as soon asFormal Recruitment ends. In the fall and spring,eligible chapters are able to extend bids towomen who do not receive bids on Bid Day. Thisprocess is more laid back, and the Panhellenicevent in the spring gives chapters the ability tomeet women on a more personal basis.

How can I sign up for ContinuousOpen Bidding?

Women who are interested in Continuous OpenRecruitment need to fill out an InformalRecruitment Information Form. This form willneed to be filled out each semester a woman iseligible and interested in COB. The form will beon the Panhellenic Org Sync portal near the endof Formal Recruitment.

What chapters participate in COB?

This is dependent on multiple variables andcannot be determined until after Bid Day in thefall, and until the second week of school in thespring. You can reach out to the Panhellenicoffice during the times listed above and we canlet you know what chapters are eligible andparticipating in COB that semester.

How will the participatingchapters know if I amparticipating in continuous openrecruitment?

The Vice President of Recruitment Programmingor the Panhellenic Graduate Assistant will give acopy of your Informal Recruitment InformationForm to all eligible chapters. The chapters willthen contact you if they are interested inarranging another meeting with them.

What is the Panhellenic SpringRecruitment Event and is it theonly informal recruitmentevent?

The Panhellenic Spring Recruitment event is achance for eligible chapters to meet interestedwomen in a more laid back setting, typicallywithin the first few weeks of school. This is theonly event sponsored by Panhellenic, however,chapters may have one to three eventsdepending on this national requirements.

For additional information about COB, feel freeto reach out to the Panhellenic Association inthe Student Life office at (405) 325-3163.

There is a required meeting once a week where you willexchange information on chapter events and fraternityeducation. Weekly chapter study sessions are anoption for all members, along with events such assisterhood activities, community service projects andsocial events.

How much time does a sorority require?Most chapters have an initiation period that ranges fromfour to 12 weeks. The new member period offersopportunities to meet other members, learn fraternityhistory, and establish a level of comfort within thechapter. Each chapter builds its own new memberprogram and sets its own initiation dates.

How long does it take to be initiated?

Most sororities look for a four year commitment;however, most of our groups do consider upperclassmenin their recruitment process. Fewer upperclassmenthan freshmen participate in Formal Recruitment andfewer join chapters. We cannot predict any one person'srecruitment experience. The best advice is to go throughthe process with an open mind.

Are upperclassmen allowed toparticipate in recruitment?

The OU Panhellenic Association does not require acertain GPA to participate in Formal Recruitment.However, each sorority has a minimum GPA to beconsidered for membership and initiation. The averageGPA to join is around a 2.39 an the average GPA for anupperclass student is around a 3.00. These grades arepulled from university records.

Is there a required GPA to participatein recruitment?

Yes. The objective of recruitment as a PNM is to learn asmuch as you can about the OU Greek community andthe chapters so you can make an informed decisionregarding membership. If you intentionally miss anevent you were invited to, you are not maximizing youroptions and could be released from the FormalRecruitment process.

Do I need to attend all the partieslisted on my recruitment schedule?

When a PNM makes a selection, it is in her best interestto rank all of the chapters she attended during thatround. By ranking all chapters, she maximizes herability to receive an invitation from any chapter for thenext round. If a PNM does not maximize her options, itis possible that she will receive zero invitations for thenext round. OU Panhellenic strongly discouragesintentional single preference.

What does it mean to maximize myoptions?

Recruitment is a process of mutual selection and, assuch, there are many different outcomes to thisprocess. Participation in Formal Recruitment does notguarantee an invitation to join a sorority, nor does itobligate you to join. However, approximately 80-90%of the women participating in Formal Recruitmenteach year join a sorority at the end of the week!

Will all participants pledge a sororityat the end of recruitment?

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I only want to be in a certainsorority?Only wanting to be a member of one specific sorority oronly considering a few chapters can severely limit aPNM's options for membership and can lead todisappointment. Panhellenic discourages joining asorority based on stereotypes or others' opinions. Weencourage you to keep an open mind and make adecision that is best for you.

LINDSEY STREET

CRUCE STREET

BROOKS STREET

PARSONS STREET

HOOVER STREET

ELMWOOD DRIVE

EMERALD WAY

DELTA STREET

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ECATE CENTER

ADAMSTOWER

WALKERTOWER

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catlettmusic center

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1. Chi Omega820 Chautauqua Ave.

Chapter Facility Map

2. Kappa Kappa Gamma700 college ave.

3. Kappa Alpha Theta845 Chautauqua Ave.

4. Alpha Gamma Delta930 Chautauqua Ave.

5. Delta Gamma744 Elm Ave.

6. Gamma Phi Beta1105 College Ave.

7. Alpha Chi Omega1115 College Ave.

8. Alpha Phi1404 College Ave.

9. Delta Delta Delta1611 College Ave.

10. Pi Beta Phi1707 Elm Ave.

11. Alpha Omicron Pi1411 Elm Ave.

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Questions? Let's Chat.We hope this guide has answered your questions regarding Panhellenic Fall Formal Recruitment. This

can be a bit of a daunting process, but it is a fun one with so many people that are here to help. Foradditional information, you can check out our website, social media links, or join the Panhellenic

Formal Recruitment Facebook group - OU Panhellenic Recruitment 2016. Our office is always here toserve as a resource to you. We look forward to seeing you in the fall!

www.pan.ou.eduwww.greek.ou.edu

(405) 325-3163 Office of Student Life900 Asp Ave. Suite 370

Norman, OK 73019