|
RECRUITMENT COUNSELORS
"A recruitment counselor is
- a Greek, a guide, a teacher,
- a coach, a cheerleader,
- a saleswoman, a seamstress,
- a nurse, a fashion coordinator,
- a clock-watcher, a record keeper,
- a talker, a hairstylist,
- a listener, a speaker,
- a crying shoulder, a data bank,
- a Greek promoter,
- a keeper of the faith,
- a role model, open-minded,
trustworthy, a friend."
One of the first people you will get to know during recruitment week is
your recruitment counselor, also called Rho Chi. A Rho Chi is a sorority
woman selected based on her ability to relate to people, her positive
attitude, her knowledge of the Panhellenic system and her potential to
help recruits experience recruitment week in the most positive way
possible.
Your Rho Chi will be not only your guide to recruitment week, but also
your friend. She will be able to personally answer many of your questions
about recruitment as she has been extensively trained by Panhellenic. If
she doesn't have an answer to a question, she'll certainly know where to
find it.
Your Rho Chi will have no contact with any sorority during recruitment
week and can be relied upon to keep all of your questions and problems
confidential. She will also remain neutral to all sororities including her
own sorority chapter. While your Rho Chi will plan fun activities to do
during recruitment week, her primary purpose is to help you experience
recruitment in the most positive way possible and to help solve any
problems you may have.
It is very important that you attend any meetings your Rho Chi may have,
as she will have important information for you. She also will be a
shoulder to lean on when decisions get tough and always will be ready to
lend an empathetic ear, as she went through recruitment, too!
USM PANHELLENIC COUNCIL RECRUITMENT GUIDELINES
Purpose: These guidelines are designed to provide you with the
opportunity to meet members of each Southern Miss
sorority participating in Formal Recruitment. They are presented by the Panhellenic Council (governing body for USM sororities) in order to allow
each organization an equal opportunity to gain new members and to allow
you the chance to choose objectively the one you consider best for you.
Eligibility: To be eligible for Formal Recruitment, you must be
admitted to The University of Southern Mississippi for the fall semester.
Previously enrolled students must also have a cumulative grade point
average of 2.0 or above on work competed at USM, and must be classified as
a full-time student.
Convocation: You must attend the Orientation Session held at the
beginning of Formal Recruitment. It will be a general assembly of all
university women attending recruitment. The National Panhellenic
Conference (NPC) Standards of Ethical Conduct, the Panhellenic Compact,
recruitment Guidelines, and joining/selection information will be
explained. After this assembly, each recruit shall be held responsible for
these guidelines and shall be subject to penalty for violation of them.
The Convocation provides you with a taste of the lifestyle of friendship,
leadership, and service which form the fundamentals of all Greek
organizations.
Attendance: You must accept the maximum number of invitations
allowed each day and must attend all parties for which you have accepted
invitations. You may attend only those parties for which you have received
invitations issued through Panhellenic. If you cannot attend a party for
which you have received an invitation due to an emergency, you must notify
your recruitment counselor or the director of Greek Life. Failure to
attend a party without consulting the director of Greek Life or your
recruitment counselor will result in your automatic withdrawal from Formal
Recruitment.
Withdrawal From recruitment: To withdraw from Formal Recruitment
once recruitment week has begun, you must first contact your recruitment
counselor. She will have you sign a withdrawal form and contact your
parents before allowing you to leave campus.
Silence: Absolute silence will begin the first day of recruitment
and will extend until bids have been given out. During this period, there
shall be no contact, written or oral, between sorority women and recruits
except during recruitment stages. This also includes contact between
sorority alumnae and recruits, letters, packages, phone calls, telegrams,
and flowers from anyone not participating in recruitment are not to be
sent to recruits during Formal Recruitment week. Recruits can mail letters
during recruitment week. The purpose of silence is to protect you from
outside influences during recruitment. This will allow you the opportunity
to give thoughtful consideration to choosing a sorority.
Preference Cards: Formal Recruitment bidding shall be done by the
preferential system. After the last stage of recruitment, all recruits
shall assemble in a scheduled place to sign preference cards. At this
time, you will have no communication with other recruits and will indicate
your first and second choice. You must be willing to accept a bid from
each sorority you list on your preference card. Failure to accept a bid
results in your being ineligible for one calendar year to accept a bid
from any sorority on this campus.
Bid: A bid is a formal invitation to join a sorority. No sorority
shall promise or infer a bid to a recruit. There must be no oral bidding
or any other overt indication of bids offered on the part of the sorority.
You must not indicate orally or in any other manner that you would accept
a bid if offered one. All bids must be issued through Panhellenic in
accordance with the schedule set up by the Panhellenic Council.
Pledging: The act of joining a sorority is a serious commitment.
The Panhellenic system has designed this recruitment week in order to
maximize the opportunities for you to obtain a clear understanding of
Greek Life and the sororities on campus. Please feel free to ask questions
at any time during the week. Pledging is the first step in a lifetime
commitment to a national organization, as an active undergraduate, and
later as an alum member. If a pledgeship is terminated, you will be
eligible to pledge another sorority on this campus one year from the date
of pledging.
Fees: You should also be aware of the financial obligations
involved in being in a sorority. Each sorority will provide you with their
financial obligations during the second stage of recruitment. There are
possible additional expenses you may incur.
Housing and Meals: All recruits, including residents of
Hattiesburg, will be required to live in the residence halls during Formal
Recruitment.
Recruitment Etiquette: No recruit or sorority member shall degrade
or start malicious rumors about any sorority or any recruit
NOTE: ANY VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE GUIDELINES WILL RESULT IN DISMISSAL.
RECRUITMENT SUGGESTIONS
Attend all meetings with your PX (Rho Chi). Don't worry about bringing a purse for recruitment
stages because your PX will have a book bag in which to put your
personal items. You need to bring your own single bed linens, towels, and toiletries. You may want to bring extra hose, hair spray, shampoo, etc., because you
will not be able to leave campus during recruitment. During free time, you may
want to have a radio, playing cards, a book, and magazines. Breakfast will not be served all week, so bring snacks and change for
drinks in the vending machines. Don't chew gum during the recruitment parties; mints will be provided. Don't wear perfume. Too many smells may become overwhelming.
After bid day, a white dress may be needed for "pin pledging"
ceremonies. You should bring one with you to recruitment week. Think seriously and independently before joining a sorority. Remember
when you choose your chapter that you are not selecting it just for four
short years in college, but for a lifetime of friendship.
RECRUITMENT APPLICATION
CLICK HERE to fill
out our online panhellenic Recruitment Application.
If you have any questions please contact the Greek Life Office, Union Room
210, or
Erin Rust, Greek
Life Manager
erin.rust@usm.edu
(601)266-4823
(601)266-6696 Fax
|
