Ramapo
College
Panhellenic
Sorority
2016
Table of Contents:
Introduction.... 2
A Path to Panhellenic Sorority....3
Greek Speak....4
Dress Code....5
Letter from Megan....6
Letter from DJ....7
Sorority....6
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
“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
Dates to Remember
February 4th- A girls night out
Febuary 5th- An ode to the classes
Febuary 6th- Philanthrophy
Feburary 7th- Preference night
Feburary 8th- Bid day
Dear Potential New Member,
Dear Potential New Member:
Welcome to your first step of becoming a member of the
Panhellenic sorority community at Ramapo College.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sincerely,
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.
Megan Kearney
College Panhellenic Council Advisor
Coordinator for Commuter Affairs
Fraternally,
DJ Mahoney
Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life
Greek Speak
Active - 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
officers
National 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).
Dress Code
Girls Night Out * February 4
The 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 5-6
During 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 7
This 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, cocktailtype dress with heels and nice jewelry.
BID DAY * February 8
Dressing is casual – jeans and a comfortable top!
Dress Code
If 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 Bid
In 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.
Alpha Omicron Pi
Founding date: January 2 1897 at Barnard
College, NY
Flower: Jacqueminot Rose
Symbols: Sheaf
Colors: Cardinal
Philanthropy: Arthtritis Foundation
Nickname: AOII
AOII
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Delta Phi Epsilon
Founding date: March 17, 1917 at New York
Univeristy School of Law
Flower: The Lovely Purple Iris
Symbol: Unicorns
Colors: Royal Purple & Pure Gold
Philanthropies: Arthtritis Foundation
Nickname: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation & ANAD
(Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)
Take Notes
Theta Phi Alpha
Founding Date: August 30, 1912 University
of Michigan - Ann Harbor
Flower: White rose
Symbol: Penguins
Colors: Silver, Gold and Blue
Philanthropies:Theta Phi Alpha Foundation,
and Glen Mary Home Missioners.
Nickname: Theta Phi
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Sigma Delta Tau
Founding Date: March 25, 1917 at Cornell
University
Flower: Golden Tea Rose
Symbol: Torch
Colors: Café Au Lait and Old Blue
Philanthropies: Prevent Child Abuse America,
Jewish Women International, Women for
Women International
Nickname: Sig Delts
aT ke Notes
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Founded: 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
Fund
Nickname: Tri Sigma
aT ke Notes