Sorority Life at Troy University

The Panhellenic Creed
Letter from the Panhellenic President
Letter from the Panhellenic Advisor
National Panhellenic Conference Groups (NPC Groups)
National Panhellenic Council Groups (NPHC Groups)
Pledging
Leadership
Sisterhood
Philanthropy
Scholarship
Working and Sorority Life
Top Ten Reasons for Going Greek
Greek Terms
Sorority Costs

NPC Sorority Recruitment 2008

How to Register for Sorority Recruitment (NPC recruitment)
Frequently Asked Questions about Sorority Recruitment
Bill of Rights for Sorority Recruitment
Pi Chi's
What to Wear and Sorority Recruitment Schedule

Philanthropy Day
Theme Day
Preference Day
Bid Day

Guidelines for Women Going through Sorority Recruitment

NPHC Fall Convocation Registration

Registration

 

 

We, the undergraduate members of women’s fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities.

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

Hi,

Welcome to Troy University! I am so excited that you have decided to attend TROY, and I encourage you to participate in sorority membership recruitment. There is no better way to jump right into campus life!

Troy University has one of the most beautiful and friendly campuses in the South. On my first visit here I noticed the welcoming atmosphere and the southern hospitality. I loved the small, close-knit group of people I met, and I know you will feel at home here, too. TROY offers the opportunity to meet people from around the world and to learn of other cultures. Participating in membership recruitment is an excellent way to meet and make many new friends before classes even start.

In August of 2005, I went through sorority recruitment. I had one of the best times of my life! I enjoyed having the opportunity to meet a lot of different people. This is an experience that I would recommend to anyone. It was very helpful to see familiar faces on the first day of school. I already felt like I was home.

Greek life on the TROY campus is an important aspect of growth and development for TROY students. Becoming a member of a sorority opens many doors into new friendships and leadership positions. You will have the opportunity to enhance your personal and professional skills, as well as develop lifetime friendships. Sorority life emphasizes scholarship, service, leadership, sisterhood and, of course, fun. Becoming a sorority member has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my college career.

On this website, you will read of the positive influences sorority life has had on several sorority women at Troy University. As they share with you, I encourage you to carefully consider their thoughts and begin planning for a special week of recruitment.

Signing up for sorority recruitment is quick and easy. Go the website: http://prism.troy.edu/~recruit/ and sign up. I hope you all have a wonderful summer and I am looking forward to seeing you in August.

C. C. Catanzaro
Panhellenic President

Letter from the Panhellenic Advisor

To Mom & Dad

We, who make up the faculty and staff, hope that your daughter will enjoy being a part of our campus. You will find that Troy University has many varied activities and organizations in which your daughter can become involved and a sorority is one of those options. Many moms and dads ask me what sororities are like and how their daughters go about becoming part of a sorority.

Sororities at Troy University are made up of women with varying backgrounds and interests. Sororities provide structured and planned activities to enhance their members’ college years. For example, if there is a pep rally, the members get together, make signs and go support the Trojans. A sorority may have a speaker address them on the topic of successful job interviewing technique. Perhaps your daughter loves to play sports, the sororities sponsor intramural teams in which she can participate. Our sorority women also believe in helping others, you can find them tutoring children in after school programs and playing bingo with the elderly. Sororities encourage their members to participate in all aspects of campus life and support their efforts.

I want to point out that our sororities realize that their members’ first priority is their academics. I am proud to say that the all-sorority grade point average is consistently higher than the all-women’s grade point average.

Sorority life has brought much happiness to the women who have been a part of it. The decision whether to participate in membership recruitment is a difficult but important one. We hope this website will help your daughter become familiar with sorority life and help her make that decision. Also, during IMPACT, the sorority women and I will be present to answer any questions and to meet with you and your daughter. Whatever decision your daughter makes, we hope that your family will love being a part of the Troy University family.

Barbara Patterson
Panhellenic Advisor

Panhellenic Council

The Troy University Panhellenic Council is the governing council for the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities. The Panhellenic Council is responsible for organizing activities of mutual concern and interest to all the sororities on campus. There are five NPC sororities at Troy University and those sororities are listed below.

The National Panhellenic Conference, founded in 1902, is the umbrella organization for twenty-six international women’s fraternities and sororities. Each member group is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae. Members are represented on over 620 college and university campuses in the United States and Canada and in over 5,300 alumnae associations, making up over three million sorority women in the world.

The Panhellenic Council groups take in new members once a year.  They hold sorority recruitment before the school begins in August.  Sorority recruitment will begin on August 9, 2007 and end on August 13, 2007.  Entering freshmen and upperclassmen are allowed  to go through sorority recruitment.  You must have a minimum GPA of a 2.2 either from high school or another college to join a NPC group.  On line registration begins on June 1, 2007 and ends of August 1, 2007.  Complete instructions are given at http://prism.troy.edu/~recruit/.

NPC Sororities:
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Gamma Delta
Chi Omega
Kappa Delta
Phi Mu

The 2008 Panhellenic Council
Left to right: C. C. Catanzaro, Cadie Frazier, Katie Valaer, Mandi Killough, Katherine Hall

National Pan-Hellenic Council

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) serves as the governing body for the eight historically African American fraternities and sororities represented on TROY’s campus. To become a member of any of these organizations undergraduate students must meet specific membership qualifications. These standards include academic achievement (2.5 GPA), community service and good character. Such requirements are designed to promote the building of strong and effective chapters. Each affiliate organization shall implement its own membership intake process. NPHC chapters will advertise their membership intake process through fliers labeled “Interest Meeting, Informational Rush, or Rush Tea” which all students are welcome to attend to express interest in and learn more about an organization.

NPHC Sororities:
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Delta Sigma Theta
Sigma Gamma Rho
Zeta Phi Beta

Pledging a Sorority
By Amy Scaro

One of the biggest decisions I have ever had to make is what college to attend. Even though I knew Troy University was the right place for me, the transition from high school to college is a big one. It can be so overwhelming—moving away from home, family, and friends. I was a little unsure as to whether I wanted to join a sorority; I’ve never thought of myself as the “sorority girl” type. But once I realized that it would be a great way to meet new friends and get involved on campus, I decided through fall recruitment and see what sorority life was all about...

As a result, I embarked on one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Throughout the week of recruitment, I met a ton of amazing women in every Panhellenic group, and made lots of new friends in my Pi Chi group. I knew I had made the right choice to go through recruitment when I got to open my bid card and see which group I would join, which sisterhood I would be a part of for the rest of my life. I can’t even describe the awesome feeling of running across sorority hill to my new home where 100 sisters waited with smiling faces and open arms.

I thought that recruitment was fun, but it could never compare to all the fun I had my first semester, learning about the history of my sorority, getting to know my pledge sisters, attending meetings, and going to swaps! The whole first semester was so packed with great events like the Big Sis/Lil Sis revelation and retreats and date functions that I hardly remembered to miss home! It made for a great start to college.

Making the decision to join a sorority at Troy has made my time here so much more fun and meaningful. What an awesome feeling to know that every single day, I am surrounded by all of my sisters who love, support, and encourage me… Going through recruitment was definitely the right choice!

Leadership
By Amanda Calhoun

Leadership is hard to define, although you know a good leader when you see one.  You will definitely find leadership apparent in the sororities at Troy University!  Many may believe that a leader is born, but this university and Greek system prove that leaders are developed.  While in college, I have acquired many skills to become an effective leader.  Most of the skills I have learned, I accredit to my sorority.  I would not be where I am today without the support and encouragement of my sisters.

My college experience has been successful by taking an active role on campus, and watching my sisters succeed in the same way.  A few short years ago, I never thought I would one day be given the honor to serve as President of my sorority, much less hold office in other campus organizations.  This college and my sorority molded me into the woman I am proud to be today. 

Members of Greek Organizations at Troy University take pride in being among the most involved students on campus.  Sorority women strive to lead by example, and will continue to do so.  You will find these women holding positions within the Student Government Association, the residence halls, and numerous campus organizations.

I am blessed to have accomplished many things during my college career and I am confident the leadership experience I have gained will continue to be significant.  Making the decision to join a sorority at Troy University has genuinely changed my life.  Each day, I receive support from amazing women, whom I call my sisters.  With countless opportunities to grow as a leader, a scholar, and a philanthropist, you can’t go wrong becoming Greek.  Recruitment was definitely the right choice for me!

Sisterhood
By Rebecca Sanders

My life will never be the same because of my sisters that I now have. If you would have asked me two years ago as I was about to start recruitment if choosing and pledging a sorority was going to change my life I would have probably told you, no. I was so wrong. From the moment I ran to my sorority house on bid-day I knew that I was home. Home; home is place that is hard to leave. It’s a place where you are allowed to grow, learn, fail, make mistakes, soar and be loved all the same, no matter what. My sisters soon became my home for me. They became my support group, my source of strength, my laughter and my tears. The sisters that will stay up all night with you just to listen and the sisters that will ride around town an jam to music are the ones that you know truly accept you for who you are. I never would have guessed that the group of strangers standing around me on bid-day would soon be the people I couldn’t imagine my life without. I found so much love and acceptance in people I hardly even knew. I never knew what friendship truly meant until I was introduced to the Sisterhood of my sorority. Sisterhood is a bond that knows no distance, time or boundaries. I’m so blessed to be able to experience this for my own life. My hope is that each of you reading this will soon find that same place of your own, a place to call home.

"Loving People: Philanthropy"
By: Kaetlin Hall

It is my personal belief that the heart of each sorority is in its philanthropic abilities.  It often is the favorite part of each woman's collegiate greek experience because it is nothing more than a service to others.  It calls for selfless and heartwarming acts for others who are in need.  The latin term "philanthropia" or philanthropy literally means loving people.  Sororities are not just about loving who you are with but loving and affecting lives attached with the philanthropies the sorority represents.

During recruitment, an entire day is dedicated to informing young women about the philanthropic events of each individual sorority. Interested young women will learn about each sorority's philanthropy and unique ways each sorority contributes to them.  They all shared about the trips they took to visit their different philanthropic organizations, the different fundraising events each sponsored to make important donations, the unique and creative ways each sorority incorporated their philanthropy into their daily workings and how each sorority was plugged into the surrounding community helping with local philanthropic activities. I know during my recruitment experience I could truly see a passion for service in the eyes of all the sorority women.    It was wonderful to see so many women devoting a little piece of their life and hearts to help others.

When I began to pledge with my sorority, I truly saw in depth the meaning of serving others.  Philanthropy quickly came to be my favorite part of my own sorority activities.  The things we choose to participate and benefit towards would be events that would impress lasting memories into my mind and heart.  It is a rewarding and fulfilling experience to impact and possibly change another’s life.  Collegiate greek life offers an expansive and easy way to get in touch with society and community.  I could not have imagined a better way to spend my collegiate time.  With a philanthropic platform, given to me by my sorority, I will now be able to successfully transition into the "real world."  Live, Laugh and begin Loving people!

Pride in Scholarship
By Jordan Jones

One of the hardest adjustments in making the transition from high school to college is academics. In high school, I never had to study to make my grades. Making good grades just seemed to come naturally for me. I was very focused on my academic achievement throughout my high school career and I planned to do the same in college. However, after my first week as a college student, I realized that my old study habits would have to change.  Lucky for me, my sorority was there to help.

The entire Greek system at Troy University places a strong emphasis on scholastic achievement, both as an individual and as a group as a whole.  Each Greek organization has a scholarship program that requires each member to maintain a certain GPA in order to remain active in the group.  Many sororities offer many great incentives to keep its members motivated.  My sorority has just instated a new incentive called the “Skippy Jar”. Each week, any member who has gone to every class for the entire week gets to put her name in the “Skippy Jar”.  At the following meeting, someone draws out a name for a free t-shirt.  This is a great idea because for girls, free t-shirts are quite a big deal.  These incentives help many of the sisters, but some still have problems from time to time.  Each week we also have study hall, tutor time, and study groups for extra help.  Not a day goes by that I don’t hear someone tell ,me that it is such a blessing to know that they have over eighty sisters who they can count on when mom and dad aren’t there.

Working and Sorority Life
By Tenika McCarter

One of my main concerns upon registering for recruitment at TROY was being able to split my time between school, work, and sorority life. What I did not yet realize is that sororities were created in part to help nurture women to become successful members of society upon graduation. One of the tools my sorority has helped me develop is time management. By using these time management skills, I find it easy to manage class, sorority obligations, and working. I even have time to hold an office in my chapter! And remember your sorority will announce meetings and events ahead of time, so it should not be difficult to schedule around them if you need to. In many ways, working and sorority life go hand-in-hand. As a matter of fact, I know more sorority women who work than those who don’t!

10.		WE’RE SMART! On average, the all-sorority and fraternity GPA exceeds the undergraduate women’s and men’s GPA. Many members are inducted each year into honor societies and make the Chancellor’s and Provost list each semester.
9.		WE’RE LEADERS! Greek men and women who are involved in a variety of campus activities, are often the most visible campus leaders, and are the most enthusiastic supporters of University events like Homecoming, Greek-wide events, Casino night and intercollegiate and intramural sports.
8.		WE’RE AFFORDABLE! Fraternities and sororities at TROY do not have expensive houses or dining services, keeping our costs low and affordable for students from all walks of life.
7.		WE’RE NOT RICH! Greek members are not wealthy. Men and women in fraternities and sororities maintain jobs and internships, receive financial aid, and earn scholarships to afford their education.
6.		WE DON’T HAZE! Hazing is prohibited; it’s against the law, and at Troy University it’s enforced……plain and simple! Education seminars and presentations are given to members in meetings and forums that outline the definitions and consequences of this illegal activity.
5.		WE HELP OTHERS! Troy University fraternity and sorority members participate in countless hours of community work service efforts and contribute annually to charitable organizations.
4.		WE NETWORK! Fraternity men and sorority women have the opportunity to network through Greek Alumni for job assistance and advice, internship exposure and experience and general direction when entering the work force.
3.		WE’RE RESPONSIBLE! Greek members serve as peer educators and are committed to the continual education and awareness of members on the effects of alcohol use and abuse.
2.		WE’RE DIVERSE! Fraternities and sororities represent the rich diversity of the campus population. Members come from all different backgrounds and walks of life.
1.		WE HAVE FUN! Greeks have fun! Sorority and fraternity members maintain a balance between the classroom and personal time. Events such as mixers, date parties, retreats, formals, and family days are just a few activities offered for enjoyment and relaxation.

It’s Greek to Me

ALUMNA – A sorority member who no longer attends college, but remains active in her sorority through involvement in alumnae groups across the nation.

BID – A formal invitation to a potential member issued by a sorority through the Panhellenic Council inviting a woman to join the sorority.

CHAPTER – A local group of the larger national sorority.

FRATERNITY – The name that applies to all Greek letter organizations that are characterized by a ritual, a pin and a strong tie of friendship.  The term “fraternity” is also applied to a sorority.

GREEK WEEK – A series of special events sponsored by the Greek community to promote community service and Greek unity.

INITIATIOIN – The formal ceremony during which a new member takes her final vows for full membership in her sorority.

LEGACY – A woman whose grandmother, mother or sister is an alumna or active member of a certain sorority.

MEMBER – A sorority woman who has completed her new member period and has been formally initiated into her chapter.

OPEN BID – An invitation to membership extended by a sorority after the completion of membership recruitment which may be extended and accepted without preferential or involved procedures.

PANHELLENIC – A governing body of the national sororities on campus.

PHILANTHROPY – A service project undertaken by sorority chapters on the campus, community or national level.

NEW MEMBER – A woman who has accepted an invitation to membership in a sorority and who is working toward full membership but has not yet been initiated.

PI CHI – An active member of a sorority who assists in membership recruitment and counsels potential members who have problems or questions concerning membership recruitment. 

POTENTIAL MEMBER – A Greek name for YOU.  Any woman in good standing at the college who participates in membership recruitment.

BID DAY – The day that potential members receive a bid.

We know that parents and their daughters have serious discussions about whether they will be able to afford a sorority. Just as you need to be informed regarding the cost associated with a college education, you need to understand the financial obligation associated with sorority membership.

Each woman joining a sorority should be aware of the dues, fees and other expenses that are involved and should consider these when making financial plans to attend college. During formal recruitment, a potential member should ask sorority members about financial obligations and payment options. Each sorority sets its own fees and payment schedules.

As with other organizations, there are financial obligations to be met when you join a sorority. Some responsibilities are:

• To pay the new member fee, house fee (if charged), initiation fee and purchase your pin. These fees are paid only once. The new member fee is paid at the time of pledging. The initiation fee and pin are paid for at the time of initiation which is generally fall semester. Housing fees are paid at different times, depending on the sorority.
• To pay monthly dues on time.
• To pay for optional services such as t-shirts and party pictures.
• To discuss fully with parents or guardians your financial situation and arrive at a mutual understanding of financial requirements before pledging.

Please be aware that the cost of living in a sorority house is the same as living in the residence halls.

It may cost a little more the first year, but it will be your sorority for the rest of your years at TROY. It will become a circle of friends, a group to belong to, for the rest of your life.

AVERAGE SORORITY COSTS
New Member Fee Initiation Fee Sister’s Pin Monthly Fee	$65.00 $150.00 $80.00 $75.00

Registration will begin on June 2, 2008 and end July 29, 2008.
http://prism.troy.edu/~recruit/

How do I register for NPC Sorority Recruitment?
 Sorority recruitment registration is on-line at http://prism.troy.edu/~recruit/.  Beginning June 2, 2008 you may go on-line and register for recruitment.  Registration ends on July 29, 2008.  There is a $75 fee and at the conclusion of the on-line registration you may pay by debit card, credit card or by e-check.

Am I eligible for sorority recruitment?
 The Panhellenic Council’s policy for participation in membership recruitment is that any college woman is eligible for membership recruitment who has completed high school with a 2.2 overall average (on a 4.0 scale) who has been accepted to Troy University.  Upperclassmen at TROY must have a 2.2 overall average.  Transfer students must have a 2.2 overall average based on 12 hours.  If a transfer student has less than 12 hours, her eligibility will be based on her high school grade point average.  This eligibility policy for recruitment is designed to help new students become academically oriented at the University before becoming involved in the sorority aspect of campus life.  (A 2.0 to 2.2 overall average is expected by all sororities before a potential member can be initiated.)  The Panhellenic Council’s membership recruitment eligibility policy is a minimum requirement.  Each sorority sets their own academic standards for joining, which range from a 2.2 to a 2.6.

A young woman who has resigned from a sorority at Troy University shall not be eligible to join any sorority at Troy University for one calendar year from the original date of signing her preference card.

When do I need to be at Troy University for Membership Recruitment?
 Membership recruitment check-in will be in the Trojan Center second lobby from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2008.  The first recruitment activity you must attend will be at 8:00 a.m. in the Trojan Center Theatre.

What about housing and meals during membership recruitment?
 If you are scheduled to live in university housing this year, check in is on Wednesday, August 6, 2008.  You will go to the Housing Office in Pace 116 to pick up your room key.  The Housing Office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will check your recruitment registration form and notify Housing if you are living on campus and they will expect you to check in on Wednesday.

If you will not be living in university housing this fall, you must make your own arrangements for housing off campus during membership recruitment week.  Often, we get phone calls from women telling us that their apartment complexes will not let them move in early.  If that is your case let us know and we try to let you know of other women in this dilemma and let you make arrangements to share a hotel room.

Do I have to follow the membership recruitment schedule and got to all the events?
Yes!  There are three fun-filled rounds of events during membership recruitment week.  All potential members attend five events the first day.  (Please Note:  There are 9 events scheduled for the first day.  Your recruitment counselor will inform you which 5 you will attend.)  A potential member may attend three Theme events and two Preference events.  The object of recruitment is to give yourself the information you need in order for you to make the best decisions; therefore you must accept the maximum number of invitations your schedule can accommodate.  You may not go back to the same sorority twice during the same series of events.  All schedules must be issued through official Panhellenic channels.  Any violations should be reported to a Recruitment Counselor or the Panhellenic Advisor.

How do I Choose a sorority? 
Just as a sorority chooses its new members on the basis of future congeniality, so a potential member chooses to pledge her loyalty to the group with which she feels more natural and at home.  There is no “rating” a sorority.  As a potential member you should realize that you are making a choice of permanent relationships throughout life.  Your own idea of rating is as good as nay other.  Join the group that suits you.  Do not be influenced by others.  Your own decision is the only one to consider.
 
Please remember that some women who go through membership recruitment will not join a sorority.  During membership recruitment 2007, 80% of the women who participated in Formal recruitment were pledged.  Membership recruitment is a mutual selection process where the sororities are deciding on their future membership and the potential members decide on which sorority they want to join.  This means when sororities are issuing invitations to Theme and Preference events some potential members will not receive an invitation to an event, and some potential members attending Preference events will not join a sorority.

What are some Tips to Potential Members? 
 Membership recruitment is FUN.  Relax and be yourself.  Even though you may be nervous, the sorority women are just as scared as you.  They want to make a good impression on you just as you do them.  Go through membership recruitment with an open mind.  Do not listen to rumors, be swayed by material possessions or make your choice before you come.  Follow membership recruitment procedures carefully.  If you have any questions, consult your Recruitment Counselor.  Also, food and drink are not served at any of the recruitment events.  Be sure to eat before attending the parties.

What is a Bid? 
At the conclusion of the last Preferential event, potential members must go to a designated area to sign their preference card.  Potential members are encouraged to indicate first, second, and third preference of sororities.  After the preference card is signed and turned in, it is binding and may not be changed.  If a potential member receives a bid from one of her preference sororities and does not join, she is ineligible to join another sorority for a calendar year.  Only the written bids distributed by the Panhellenic Council are official.  Any suggestion of a bid from a sorority member is to be ignored as no one individual member may speak for her sorority.

Can I go through Membership Recruitment and be an athlete/band member?
The Panhellenic Council is always questioned as to whether women can go through membership recruitment and be a band member or athlete.  You can participate in both activities; but, it is very difficult to do both, as both activities are very time consuming.  If you are an athlete, we highly recommend that you talk to your coach about participating in membership recruitment.  The Panhellenic Council tries to work the schedules of potential members who are participating in these camps so they miss a minimum amount of practice.  This year Band Camp and sorority recruitment only conflict the first day and we have worked that out with the band.

What if I turn down a bid I receive?
If you receive a bid and decide not to accept, you may not participate in recruitment for one calendar year, and you may not participate in Continuous Open Bidding.  We urge you to think very carefully before turning down a bid.  Your emotions have a tendency to cloud your thinking and judgment.  Please give yourself and the sorority a chance to prove you made the right choice.

What is a recommendation?
A recommendation is a letter of introduction from an alumnae of a sorority.  Recommendations are the Sororities responsibility to obtain.  Recommendations are not a guarantee that you will receive a bid from a chapter.  It is to your advantage to encourage alumnae you know to write a recommendation for you.  Panhellenic does not have recommendation forms available nor can they obtain them for potential members.  Alumnae may send recommendations to the addresses listed below:

Alpha Delta Pi 
TROY Box 821104 
Troy, AL 36082   
 alphadeltapi@troy.edu

Alpha Gamma Delta
TROY Box 820981
Troy, AL 36082 
 alphagam@troy.edu

Chi Omega
TROY Box 821769
Troy, AL 36082
chiomega@troy.edu

 Kappa Delta
TROY Box 821004    
 Troy, AL 36082
kappadelta@troy.edu

Phi Mu
 TROY Box 820185
Troy, AL 36082                    
phimu@troy.edu

Are there any other suggestions for sorority Recruitment?
1.		You will want to carry a minimun amount of items to parties. We recommend you prepare a small pastic bag (sandwich size) that will hold your keys, cell phone, ID, make up, etc. Print your name on the baggie. The Pi Chis will take those up during parties and give them back to you afterwards. Cell phones are not allowed in parties and must be turned to silent.
2.		Please don’t chew gum during recruitment parties.  It can be distracting to the person who is talking to you.
3.		Carry an umbrella.  The weather is often unpredictable and you will have to walk outside to get to your next party.
4.		Please don’t wear heavy fragrances.  It can be powerful in a crowded room on a hot day.
5.		You may not want to plan on going home before classes start.  Most sororities have formal pledging and/or other planned activities immediately after recruitment.

THE POTENTIAL MEMBER’S BILL OF RIGHTS

The Potential Member’s Bill of Rights was adopted unanimously at the 1989 NPC Biennial Conference.

• The right to be treated as an individual
• The right to be fully informed about the recruitment process.
• The right to ask questions and receive true and objective answers from recruitment counselors and members
• The right to be treated with respect.  The right to be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized.
• The right to ask how and why and receive straight answers.
• The right to have and express opinions to recruitment counselors.
• The right to have inviolable confidentiality when sharing information with recruitment counselors.
• The right to make informed choices without undue pressure from others.
• The right to be fully informed about the binding agreements implicit in the preference card signing.
• The right to make one’s own choice and decision and accept full responsibility for the results of that decision.
• The right to have a positive, safe and enriching recruitment and membership experience.

Counselors
Pi Chi & Recruitment Counselors

Recruitment week is a busy and fun-filled week.  We have found that those of you who are going through recruitment in the fall need someone to help you throughout the week.  Panhellenic has selected sorority women to take on this special role.  These women are called Pi Chis and have been carefully selected to assist you and answer all your questions.  They have been specially trained for this particular role.  The counselors are well versed in university and Panhellenic procedure and policies.  They are able to give information and advice on almost any aspect of sorority and campus life.  For that week, they will not associate with their sorority; they will be there just for you.  Helping you during the busy, yet fun-filled days, explaining membership recruitment rules, suggesting what to wear for events and assisting with any problems that arise during the week are among the duties of a Pi Chi.

Most importantly, the Pi Chi's will lead small group meetings every night to carefully explain the next day’s activities.  During these meetings, feel free to discuss any questions or problems with your Pi Chi.  She will be a true friend to you.

Recruitment Group Membership and Schedule Posted, Tuesday,
August 5

Every woman going through recruitment will be assigned to a group.  Your group will have recruitment counselors who will guide you through the recruitment process.  The schedule you see on these two pages is a general schedule.  Each group will have a specific schedule to follow.  On Tuesday, August 5 go to the http://prism.troy.edu/~recruit site and look for the link called Recruitment Group Assignment.  At this link, find your name on the list and you will see your group assignment.  Then go to the link called Recruitment Group Schedules and print out the schedule for your group.  Bring that schedule with you to recruitment orientation on Wednesday, August 6th.

Recruitment Check In and Orientation, Wednesday, August 6

Check-in for recruitment will be from 4-5p.m. in the Trojan Center second floor lobby.  At 5 p.m. you will be going to dinner with your recruitment group.  Recruitment groups will select which restaurant to go to once you meet.  Dinner is at your own cost as all meals are during recruitment.  At 7 p.m. everyone will gather in the Trojan Center Theater for recruitment orientation.  There you will meet the Panhellenic officers and Recruitment counselors, go over the rules of recruitment and how you enter your preferences into the computer system.  You will then meet with your recruitment group to go over your group schedule.  This is the schedule that is talked about in the section above.

 

Philanthropy Day – Thur. Aug. 7

You will meet with your recruitment counselor at a designated place and she will guide you to where the events are being held.  Service and giving to others is the theme for this day.  You will be visiting each sorority for 45 minutes, and you will want to ask the members about their sorority.  On this day, you will wear a Troy University t-shirt with shorts, capris or skirts.  You will be greeted by the sorority members with a song as you enter their chapter house.  A sorority member will greet you at the door and introduce you to many of the members.  Be prepared to tell them about yourself.  The sororities will guide you through an arts and crafts project that they will use for their philanthropy.  Please note that you will be going to five events this day.  Your specific schedule (as explained above) will be available on Tuesday, August 5.

SCHEDULE:  Event 1 – 8:00 – 8:45 Event 2 – 8:50 – 9:35 Event 3 – 9:40 – 10:25 Event 4 - 10:30 – 11:15 Event 5 – 11:20 – 12:05 Lunch – 12:05 – 1:30 Event 6 – 1:30 – 2:15 Event 7 – 2:20 – 3:05 Event 8 – 3:10 – 3:55 Event 9 – 4:00 – 4:45 Dinner – 4:50 – 6:00 Group Meetings – 6:00 Movie – 9:00 (approx.)

Theme Day – Fri. Aug. 8

Theme events are both interesting and exciting.  Each sorority will perform a skit this day and the theme of the party revolves around the skit.  You should be thinking about which sorority would be the most comfortable “home away form home” for you.  Take a good look at how the women of the sorority interact with one another.  Is the bond of sisterhood strong?  Dress is more formal than yesterday.  A nice dress or skirt and blouse is appropriate.  This is your special time to communicate one-on-one with the sorority women.  The conversation is longer and more meaningful.  You should begin to look for certain qualities in the sororities and their members.  You will meet your recruitment counselor at 8:45 a.m. at a designated place on sorority hill and she will give you a schedule for the day.  You will be scheduled for parties that day and the most sororities that you can attend is four.

SCHEDULE:  Event 1 – 9:00 – 9:45 Event 2 – 10:00 – 10:45 Event 3 – 11:00 – 11:45 Event 4 – 1:00 – 1:45   Event 5 – 2:00 – 2:45 Event 6 – 3:00 – 3:45 Dinner – 5:00 – 6:30 Group Meetings – 7:00

 

Preference Day – Sat. Aug. 9

Preference events are the most serious of all those held during membership recruitment week.  Sorority members begin to introduce you to their bonds of sisterhood.  By Preference Day, you will be thinking very seriously about each sorority.  You will probably take part in a special ceremony.  Think about which sorority will be best for you in the long run.  Sunday dresses are worn on this day.  Your hostess may talk privately with you about your feelings toward the sorority and answer any final questions you may have, helping you in your decision making process.   During this time, you should listen carefully to what the women tell you about their ideals of sisterhood.  Listen to what they say, for these women are revealing to you the strong characteristics of their sorority.  Ask the women what their sorority means to them.  This is a very serious event, where the atmosphere is calm and serene.  You will meet with your recruitment counselor at 8:45 a.m. at a designated place on sorority hill and she will give you a schedule for the day.  You will be scheduled for parties that day and the most sororities that you can attend is two. 

SCHEDULE:   Event 1 – 8:00 – 9:00 Event 2 – 9:15 – 10:15 Event 3 – 10:30 – 11:30 Event 4 – 11:45 – 12:45

 

Bid Day – Sat. Aug. 9

The last event of membership recruitment is Bid Day.  You may receive an invitation to join or your Recruitment Counselor may tell you that you did not receive a bid.  If your bid did not match, you are eligible for continuous open bidding.  All potential members will gather in the Trojan Center 2nd floor lobby at 5 p.m. to receive their bid and to walk to sorority hill no later than 5:15 p.m.  At 5:30 you will go over to your new sorority.  We encourage you to wear casual clothing.  Each sorority will host an event for their new members that evening.  Pictures will also be taken.  You may be obligated to pay pledge fees this night.  You will also meet with your new member educator that evening.  She will go over a schedule with you that you will follow for the next couple of days.  If you are a new freshman, be sure to plan to attend Odyssey convocation with your new member class on Sunday afternoon, August 10th.  If your parents will be attending, they are welcome to go with your new member class.

The Panhellenic Council of Troy University believes that every woman should enter membership recruitment with an open mind.  Potential members are encouraged to make independent decisions about their sorority choices.  Talking with persons not participating in membership recruitment often results in confusion and incorrect information.

Because the Panhellenic Council feels firmly that it is important for every potential member to make up her own mind about which sorority to join, we ask our sorority women to refrain from talking about their own sorority when speaking to potential members before recruitment.  If you have questions and you wish to speak to someone you know who is currently in a sorority or has been in a sorority at TROY, they will be glad to answer your questions about sorority life.  But, they may not promote their own sorority.  Once the sorority women arrive back on campus for recruitment, they may not have contact with any potential members.

Potential members will be given Panhellenic nametags which must be worn at all times.  A customary greeting is the only exchange permitted between a sorority woman and a potential member during Membership Recruitment outside of an event.  Any other oral contact is prohibited (this includes phone calls).  No talking is to take place outside of the scheduled events.  Potential Members may not go into a sorority chapter house during Membership Recruitment.

When individual alumnae or sorority members are having any type of party to which three or more potential members are invited, an active undergraduate member of at least two sororities must be present.  No promotion of a particular sorority is to take place at such a function.

Please be aware that alumnae sorority women may contact family members this summer in order to obtain a recommendation.  At this time, no promotion of a sorority is to take place.

A potential member is not allowed to accept flowers and/or gifts during membership recruitment from sororities, parents, friends, etc.

If a potential member and a sorority woman will be living together fall semester, it is up to the sorority woman to find somewhere else to stay during membership recruitment.

Potential members must remain in their place of residence as much as possible when not at an event.  Potential members should not go to bars or fraternity houses during membership recruitment.  Potential members found at either place will be removed from membership recruitment.

Whenever possible, recruitment groups will eat meals together.

Any potential member who breaks any rule will not be allowed to join a sorority until the following formal membership recruitment period.

All women participating in membership recruitment should understand that not all potential members will join a sorority.  Troy University has many other activities and organizations to join if you are not selected.

Becoming a member of a Greek letter organization can be one of your most memorable experiences here at Troy University.  The love and support received from a sisterhood is like no other.  Being Greek is much more than a status symbol.  Instead, it is a long tradition of community service.  The National Pan-Hellenic Council sororities donate countless hours in an effort to improve local African American communities.

Although each sorority has their own requirements for membership, incoming freshmen are not eligible for NPHC sororities until they have completed at least one semester of classes.  Any questions regarding membership into an NPHC sorority can be answered at the Fall Convocation held during fall semester.  A semester may seem like a long time, but it’s worth the wait.

The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Zeta Phi Beta will each hold their own membership intake during the academic year.  There will be flyers on campus with information about where and when intake will be held.  Freshmen are invited to attend, but you can only participate in membership intake after meeting the sorority’s requirements.  For more information, please contact members of the sororities or the Panhellenic Office. 

Please make plans to attend the NPHC Fall Convocation on Wednesday, August 27 at 6:00 pm in the Trojan Center Ballrooms.  Please sign up on-line so we will know how many to plan for.  Attending the convocation is free and does not obligate you to anything.  Please come meet our Greeks.

NPHC Convocation Registration Form