FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS PANHELLENIC?

Made up of 26 women’s-only inter/national member organizations, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is the world’s largest umbrella organization specifically charged with advancing the sorority experience. Through its advocacy, NPC seeks to enlist nearly 5 million sorority women in its efforts to showcase the transformational power of the sorority experience. As values-based organizations, the 26 members of NPC live their missions, with their members providing millions of dollars in philanthropic support to dozens of worthy causes and pursuing millions of additional hours in community service. From supporting victims of sexual assault, to leading bystander intervention programs, to fighting for body-positive campus cultures, sorority women are at the forefront of solving some of the most pressing challenges facing collegiate women today. NPC also supports a national network of collegiate and alumnae Panhellenic associations that are crucial to nurturing healthy fraternity and sorority communities. Through its programs and initiatives, NPC encourages the sharing of information, resources and best practices to ensure the sorority experience continues to meet the needs of today’s collegiate women.   https://www.npcwomen.org/about/

College Panhellenic (CPH) at Cal Poly Pomona consists of 5 member sororities. These member sororities are often referred to as chapters. The chapters at Cal Poly Pomona are Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, Sigma Kappa, and Zeta Tau Alpha.

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR RECRUITMENT WEEKEND?

Recruitment weekend maximizes the number of women and chapters you can meet and connect with in a short amount of time.  This means that days can be long and involve lots of conversation.  Make sure you get plenty of sleep and eat frequently.  You can always talk to a recruitment counselor also known as Rho Gammas if you are feeling overwhelmed.  You may also have some down time in between events.  Feel free to bring homework, snacks, and games.

Sororities are values-based organizations that recruit women whose values align with their organizations.  Remember that just like sororities are looking for women of similar values, you are also searching for an organization whose values align with your own. Think about what you want to gain from membership and the person you want to become.  What and who can help you achieve that? Think about the relationships you value and what you value about them. Remember that you have the right to know who you are joining and feel free to ask chapters questions.

IS THERE HAZING?

Neither the National Panhellenic Conference nor any of the 26 member organizations of NPC condone hazing in any form. Each of the 26 member organizations have banned hazing in all of their chapters and have policies in place stating so. The NPC is a proud sponsor of HazingPrevention.org and National Hazing Prevention Week. If you have concerns about hazing, you should speak with the fraternity and sorority life office coordinator, Ronnisha Osuala (rsholden@cpp.edu). Hazing can be reported anonymously at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293). (www.npcwomen.org)

WHAT IF I'M NOT A FIRST YEAR?

Panhellenic values inclusivity.  We represent a variety of different students including transfer students, sophomores, international students, and more. The only identity-based requirement is that you identify as a woman.  We strive to represent a diverse pool of students from different backgrounds, commuters/non-commuters, ethnicities, majors, and interests.

WHAT IS THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT?

Each chapter has varying financial commitments and payment methods.  Many of the women in the Panhellenic community pay their dues through part-time jobs or summer jobs. Payment methods range from biweekly to semesterly. Dues go towards chapter’s operational costs, sisterhoods, formals, donations, chapter apparel, retreats, and other events/costs.

The chart below reflects the range of dues that Panhellenic chapters pay. The average is for the five Panhellenic chapters at Cal Poly Pomona. Fall new member dues are defined as the first semester of membership.  New member dues are often higher due to one-time fees like initiation fees.  Fall active dues and spring active dues are what an initiated member would pay.

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?

You can expect to attend weekly meetings and additional events throughout the semester such as sisterhoods, philanthropy events, and alumnae events.  Time commitments also vary depending on involvement.  Leadership positions may require additional time, but also provide great opportunities for personal development and impacting the community.

WHAT ARE THE GPA REQUIREMENTS FOR RECRUITMENT?