PNM Newsletter
Vanderbilt Panhellenic
~4th Edition~
I hope you had a great Fall Break! Since you're just warming back up to things, we'll keep this newsletter short. Peruse the new mythbusters and chapter profiles at your leisure.
The most important things for you this week are:
- Sign up for recruitment!! You should have done this by October 1st at the latest! It is imperative that you do this ASAP if you haven't already to get a Gamma Chi Group and start meeting with them in our remaining weeks.
- PPD Absence Policy: This event is REQUIRED for all PNM's, but if you feel like your absence would be excused (interview, VU sports game, etc.), you can submit an absence application here. It is due by Nov 7th, no exceptions. *More details below.*
- THIS WEEK: you should have heard from your Gamma Chi and you'll start meeting with your groups.
- Be aware of other upcoming events: benefit season & PPD (Nov 15, required)
- If you have friends who are interested in recruitment and have not been receiving my emails & newsletters, have them email me or sign up here.
<3 Lauren, Panhellenic Vice President of Recruitment
Greek Life Staff
NPC Crest
Register for Recruitment!
Chapter Benefit: Kappa Kappa Gala
KKG's benefit is for: The Afterschool Program, Paso a Paso, and Reading is Fundamental. Come watch dances, enjoy some desserts, and learn a little bit about how reading can change a child's life!
Tuesday, Oct 20, 2015, 05:30 PM
SLC
Formal Recruitment Schedule: Reminder
- Nov 15 all day - Panhellenic Preview Day (PPD)
- Jan 8 evening - Pre-Recruitment Meeting
- Jan 9 all day - Display Round
- Jan 10 all day - Philanthropy Round
- Jan 15 early evening - late night - Entertainment Night
- Jan 16 afternoon - Pre-preference Meeting
- Jan 16 evening - Preference Round
- Jan 17 late afternoon-evening - Bid Day
Also be aware of Recruitment 101 on December 7th @ 7pm, where we'll give you all the details on recruitment rounds and what to wear/what not to wear (more details will come closer to the event).
Friday, Jan 8, 2016, 04:00 PM
VU Greek Row
Things to Do
- Sign up for recruitment. We strongly encourage you to register by October 1st (boo, passed), but the absolute deadline is November 6th by 5pm and there are NO exceptions if you don't sign up in time! And spread the word -- some people don't know to sign up early.
- Submit a question or concern here anonymously! We really want to hear from you and what you're wondering about! We don't collect names or even contact info from this form, so don't worry.
- Spread the word about this newsletter! If you know people who aren't getting it or my emails, have them sign up here.
- Follow VU Panhellenic and Greek Life on all social media (FB, Twitter, Insta: links below in Resources) You'll get more info about upcoming things to do and attend, what chapters are doing, and updates of the Greek community at large--important for your entire time at Vandy.
- Read the first newsletter here, the second here, and the third here if you haven't already.
- Last but definitely not least: Relax! If you have any fears or concerns about this process, please don't hesitate to ask your Gamma Chi's! That's what they're there for--they're your best resource.
Chapter Bio's
This week, we'll hear about Alpha Omicron Pi & Zeta Tau Alpha.
Chapter Bio: Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Omicron Pi's Top Values:
- Authenticity
- Individuality
- Dependability
Website: http://www.vualphaomicronpi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VandyAOII
Twitter: @VandyAOII
Chapter Bio: Zeta Tau Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha's Top Values
- Genuine
- Loyal
- Outgoing
Website: http://vanderbilt.zetataualpha.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vandyzta
Twitter: @VandyZTA
Mythbusters
Don't pay attention to these common myths below! If you hear them around campus, keep these truths in mind. Don't be scared by any crazy rumors you hear -- they're circulated by misinformation and they're false!
- It doesn't matter when I register for recruitment. NoOoOoO. Make sure all you're friends know they are BEHIND THE TIMES if they haven't registered yet. Everyone's heard from their Gamma Chi groups, and registering early ensures you meet with your GX's a maximum amount of times.
- I'm an upperclassmen so it doesn't matter if I attend PPD, even if I've already done it. It is still mandatory and important that you attend PPD. This is because chapters change every year and we're always making changes to the recruitment process. So, it's very important for you to attend to get a preview of what the chapters are doing for recruitment this year, how they've changed, and how it's all going to shake out this year. Plus, even if you attended last year, there's still probably plenty you don't know about a lot of chapters, and it's a great opportunity to learn more.
- Even though recommendation letters aren't required, if I know an alumni from a chapter, I should definitely ask them for a letter. Like we've always said, they're not mandatory at all! If a chapter requires one, they'll get them for you. However, if you do know someone well enough to ask them for a rec letter, do if you want to -- but don't feel pressure to do it. Do it if it feels natural but don't if it stresses you out. Whateva you're feelin'.
Gamma Chi Program: It's Begun!
See our first newsletter here for a full description of the GX program.
You'll only be assigned a Gamma Chi group AFTER you register online for recruitment, so do this ASAP! If you've already registered (yay), you should have heard from your Gamma Chi already. They'll be setting up a time to be meeting with you likely this week. Come to these meetings with questions and concerns -- it's their job to personally answer any specific questions you might have.
Common question #1: I've registered & haven't heard from my Gamma Chi group.
Answer: Two possibilities here: 1.) You haven't paid for registration or your payment hasn't gone through (check your bank statement). Contact Lauren Brooks to get this problem solved so you can start meeting with your group.
OR 2.) your payment has gone through, but you just haven't been assigned yet. I assign PNM's to GX groups periodically, not continuously. So be patient, if you're sure you've paid correctly. I'll get there.
Common question #2: I've been placed in a Gamma Chi group, but I think there may have been in a mistake in my placement. What should I do?
Answer: PNM's are placed into GX groups based on if they're upperclassmen or Freshmen. From there, we try to place PNM's into people in their same dorm and floor (this we only do with Freshmen; upperclassmen we place you in groups of dorms). However, sometimes groups get too big and we have to place you in another group. If you are a placed in a group of a completely different dorm (as a Freshmen), this may have been a mistake and you can contact me to double-check.
Absence Policy During Recruitment
- It is due by November 7th by midnight for PPD absences. Note: PPD is 100% MANDATORY for all PNM's. It is just as required as Formal Recruitment Rounds. If you miss PPD without an excused absence verified by Panhellenic, this will be recorded & may negatively impact your recruitment process.
- It is due December 15th by midnight for Formal Recruitment absences.
- Your application will be reviewed and you will notified if your absence(s) is(are) excused by the Nov 11th for PPD absences & by the Pre-recruitment meeting January 8th for Formal Recruitment Absences.
- How seriously do we take attendance during PPD & Formal Recruitment Rounds? Panhellenic closely monitors which rounds PNM's go to throughout the day during both PPD & recruitment in January. So, you cannot secretively miss one round -- it will be recorded, and you will have to report to Panhellenic to discuss your absence.
- What will happen if I am considered excused? Panhellenic will tell the chapters that you are formally excused, so they will have the option to offer you a courtesy invitation or not. Being excused is not a guarantee; however, it significantly heightens the likelihood of getting invited back to the next round. If you don't show up, no one has to invite you back.
- What will happen if I am considered unexcused? If you are considered unexcused and miss anyway, it is grounds for release from the recruitment process.
Academic Appeals Process: Overview
More details to come as we approach the end of the semester.
Panhellenic Executive Officers
Bottom left to right: Julia Gabriel (PR), Paula Inglis (judicial affairs), Victoria Potter (programming), Sam Marton (Gamma Chi's)
Important Resources
- Guide to Greek Life: overview of the Greek community and your options for joining
- Click here to register for sorority recruitment! Absolute deadline is November 6th by 5pm
- Panhellenic Bylaws and Recruitment Rules: be aware of these and how they apply to you
- Information about specific chapters: You can learn about philanthropies, dues, GPA requirements, and what each chapters values most!
- Connect with Greek Life on Facebook (Panhellenic + Greek Life), Instagram (Panhellenic + Greek Life), Twitter, and Pinterest!
- Past newsletters: First Edition and Second Edition and Third Edition
Lauren Brooks, VP of Recruitment
Greek Life Office
Email: greeklife@vanderbilt.edu
Website: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/greek_life/
Location: Sarratt Center 207
Phone: 615-322-2048
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanderbiltgreeklife
Twitter: @vugreek