RamapoCollegePanhellenic

Sorority2016

Dear Potential New Member:Thank you for considering the Panhellenic sorority community here at Ramapo College of New Jersey. You have decided to join a tradition that has withstood the test of time and that instills friendship.There are five councils that govern the fraternities and sororities at Ramapo College: The College Panhellenic Council (CPH), which includes those sororities you will meet and potentially join through this recruitment process; the Interfraternity Council (IFC), United Cultural Greek Council (UCGC), and the Professional Fraternity Council (PFC). Each council oversees its recruitment or intake process.The Greek community here at Ramapo college sets a high standards of excellence and follows five pillars:The Fraternity and Sorority Life at Ramapo College has five pillars that are expected of its members:

Scholarship: Academics are essential aspect of Greek members, one which members take very seriously. In assuring the academic prosperity of its members, all fraternity and sororities have a scholarship chairperson who keeps track of the academic standing of all members.

Leadership: The community is dedicated to building future leaders by providing a wealth of leadership opportunities for women. Members have opportunities to excel in social, academic, and business leadership situations.

Service: One of the most gratifying aspects of fraternity and sorority life is the sense of satisfaction and pride that comes with involvement of community service. Members recognize the need and concern throughout the year to raise money and donate time to special philanthropies and community service projects.

Friendship for Life: Fraternity and Sorority life at Ramapo College of New Jersey offers the chance to meet others, broaden an individual’s frame of reference, and develop meaningful friendships that will last beyond college. Members also share the fraternity or sorority experience with thousands of other men and women across the countries that are members of other undergraduate National Greek organizations.

A Path to Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment

Dates to RememberFebruary 4th- A girls night outFebuary 5th- An ode to the classesFebuary 6th- PhilanthrophyFeburary 7th- Preference nightFeburary 8th- Bid day

“Joining a Panhellenic Sorority is one of the best choices you can make at Ramapo College of New Jersey! If you still have questions about sorority life or want to talk to someone about joining a sorority, stop by the Greek Office located behind the Student Center of Involvement in SC210.”

Good luck in your college career! We hope to see you find a home within the five sororities here on campus. You are the future of Ramapo Panhellenic sororities, and your family away from home is waiting for you!

Loyally,The 2016 Panhellenic Executive Board

Why join a Panhellenic Sorority?-Make a difference in the community- Create friends and memories that last a lifetime- Begin networking and building your resume- It’s not just for four years, it’s for life

Table of Contents:Introduction.... 2A Path to Panhellenic Sorority....3Greek Speak....4Dress Code....5Letter from Megan....6Letter from DJ....7Sorority....6

Dear Potential New Member, Welcome to your first step of becoming a member of the Panhellenic sorority community at Ramapo College.

We are thrilled you are interested in joining our community. Participation in Greek life is a wonderful opportunity for students to get involved on campus. The College Panhellenic Council (CPH) represents the sororities of the National Panhellenic Conference at Ramapo College. Together the women of Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Phi Epsilon, Sigma Delta Tau, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Theta Phi Alpha hold events for Ramapo’s campus which demonstrate their dedication to serving the community, while supporting each other to succeed academically and professionally.

Deciding to join a sorority can be an incredibly positive experience. Participants in Greek life have been known to perform well academically and have wonderful networking opportunities and leadership roles from being members of these national organizations. Additionally, the Greek system offers a sense of accomplishment through professional development, philanthropy and life-long friendships. I look forward to meeting you during Spring Formal Recruitment.

Sincerely,

Megan KearneyCollege Panhellenic Council AdvisorCoordinator for Commuter Affairs

Dear Potential New Member: Thank you for considering the Panhellenic community here at Ramapo College of New Jersey. While there are many opportunities to get involved here on campus, we are excited that you have chosen to learn more about our five Panhellenic organizations. These organizations provide their members with exceptional opportunities for personal development, scholastic achievement, and creating strong bonds of sisterhood that will last a lifetime. It is also a great opportunity for you to align with the College’s commitment to experiential learning.

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life here at Ramapo College of New Jersey has overall oversight of the College Panhellenic Council and its chapters along with three other governing councils: The Interfraternity Council, United Cultural Greek Council, and the Professional Fraternity Council. Each council is responsible for their organizations’ operations and membership growth processes among other things. The Office commits itself to focus on the development and continued success of its four pillars: scholarship, leadership, service, and friendship for life.

Fraternity and Sorority Life here at Ramapo College sets a high standard of excellence for its members and organizations. By joining one of these organizations, you are taking on a responsibility to go above and beyond and use the skills you will learn to better yourself, your fellow students, and your campus. While it is a big responsibility, it is one that provides many rewards; ones that you will begin to see the more you interact with the members of our community. As you go through this process, I encourage you to explore all opportunities of Panhellenic life and get to know different members of our organizations. Learning about their experiences and organizations can help you make an informed decision when choosing membership.

I am so excited that you and considered joining our Panhellenic community and can ensure you that this decision will have such a positive impact on your collegiate career as well as your years after graduation.

Fraternally,

DJ MahoneyCoordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life

Dress CodeGirls Night Out * February 4The suggested attire for recruitment is very casual and comfortable, such as jeans and a nice shirt. Potential new members will be walking around Friends Hall to meet other Panhellenic women as well as learning about each sorority.

ROUNDS * February 5-6During your rounds, potential new members should dress casually but neat; most potential new members wear jeans, a blouse, and flats (any footwear is acceptable). Please keep in mind that walking is involved and you may even have to go outside. Also refrain from wearing any tops that may be too low cut!

PREFERENCE NIGHT * February 7This night is a special night of recruitment, as many of the chapters will be including you in part of their ritual ceremony. As such, the suggested attire is a semiformal, cocktail-type dress with heels and nice jewelry.

BID DAY * February 8Dressing is casual – jeans and a comfortable top!

Dress CodeIf you are unsure if your outfit is appropriate for any particular round please contact your Rho Gamma for her opinion. Remember your Rho Gamma is there for any help, no matter what the situation entitles!

Signing and Accepting a BidIn signing a preference card, a potential new member is making a binding agreement that she will accept a bid from those sororities she lists in order of preference on her card. Furthermore, should a woman receive a bid from a sorority and decide not to join the sorority, she will not be able to join another NPC sorority for one calendar year. Potential new members have the right to: • Be recognized as the unique individual they are; • Have a complete understanding of the rules and regulations of the recruitment process; • Utilize recruitment counselors to objectively answer any questions; • Be treated with respect; • Be in a recruitment atmosphere of equality, not inferiority; • Ask sorority members questions and receive honest answers; • Have a personal viewpoint and be able to communicate with recruitment counselors; • Be able to trust your recruitment counselor with strict confidentiality; • Make informed choices without undue pressure from others; • Know the implicit contractual agreements associated with preference and signing a bid; • Make an independent choice regarding membership and be comfortable with the accompanying commitments; • Be able to have a fun, comfortable, and unpressured recruitment and new member experience.

Greek SpeakActive - A fully initiated member of a fraternity or sorority. Alumni - Members who have graduated from a college or university. Bid - An official invitation to join a Greek organization. Chapter - The local group that is part of a national fraternity/ sorority. Formal Recruitment - Occurs during spring semester. This is a formal rush period governed by NPC guidelines where NPC member sororities may recruit to quota (even if over total).Greek - A term applied to a member who is affiliated with a Greek letter organization. Greek Week -A week-long celebration held during the spring semester that provides the opportunity to showcase Greek life through banners, sporting events, talent shows and barbecues. Hazing – organizing, engaging in, facilitating, or promoting any conduct that places or may place another person in danger of bodily injury; punishable under the provisions of Title 2C of the Statutes of the State of New Jersey. Informal Recruitment – Occurs during fall semester, is a less formal rush period where NPC member sororities may recruit to total.Initiation - A formal ceremony in which pledges/new members become members of a chapter. Interest Group - organization in the process of becoming registered.Inter-Greek Senate (I.G.S.) - A senate style governing body comprised of all registered Ramapo Greek organizations. National Panhellenic Conference (N.P.C.) - A representative body of 26 national and international sororities comprised of a delegate from each sorority and elected officersNational Panhellenic Council (N.P.H.C) - A governing body composed of the nine national Historically Black sororities and fraternities. (Council is not currently represented at Ramapo).Order of Omega - A national Greek honorary society; membership is based on leadership and scholarship. Philanthropy - Active effort to promote human welfare. Pin - The brother or sister pin is a badge of the fraternity/sorority to be worn on the chest. The pledge pin is a less elaborate pin used to designate non-initiated member. New Member Education - The time period between accepting a bid and being initiated into a fraternity or sorority; a time to learn about the organization and its members.Potential New Member (PNM) - Woman going through NPC Recruitment who is interested in joining an NPC organization.Preference Night – an invitational event during formal and informal recruitment whereby potential new members are introduced to the ritual aspect of NPC sorority life.Ritual - The secret philosophy, names (often Greek), passwords, etc., shared by initiated members of the same fraternity or sorority. Recruitment - The period of time during which fraternities and sororities choose new members for their chapters. Sister - A term used within a women’s fraternity when referring to other initiated members. Sorority - A Greek letter sisterhood; also called a women’s fraternity. Total - Cap set by the Ramapo College Board of Trustees delineating the maximum # of members permitted in a chapter.United Cultural Greek Council - A subcommittee of IGS that is comprised of the Ramapo historically multicultural, Latin and African American sororities and fraternities (nor currently present on the Ramapo Campus).

Take Notes

Alpha Omicron PiFounding date: January 2 1897 at Barnard College, NYFlower: Jacqueminot RoseSymbols: SheafColors: CardinalPhilanthropy: Arthtritis FoundationNickname: AOII

AOII

Delta Phi EpsilonFounding date: March 17, 1917 at New York Univeristy School of LawFlower: The Lovely Purple IrisSymbol: UnicornsColors: Royal Purple & Pure GoldPhilanthropies: Arthtritis FoundationNickname: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation & ANAD (Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)

Take Notes

Take Notes

Founding Date: August 30, 1912 University of Michigan - Ann HarborFlower: White roseSymbol: PenguinsColors: Silver, Gold and BluePhilanthropies:Theta Phi Alpha Foundation, and Glen Mary Home Missioners. Nickname: Theta Phi

Theta Phi Alpha

Theta Phi

Founding Date: March 25, 1917 at Cornell UniversityFlower: Golden Tea RoseSymbol: TorchColors: Café Au Lait and Old BluePhilanthropies: Prevent Child Abuse America, Jewish Women International, Women for Women InternationalNickname: Sig Delts

Sigma Delta Tau

Take Notes

Take Notes

Sigma Sigma SigmaFounded: April 20, 1898 at Longwood University in Virginia. Colors: Royal Purple & White Symbols: Sailboat/ Skull & Crossbones Flower: Purple Violet Philanthropies: Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundtaion and The Robbie Page Memorial FundNickname: Tri Sigma