Panhellenic Code of Ethics & Recruitment Rules

COLLEGE PANHELLENIC COUNCIL CODE OF ETHICS OF OHIO UNIVERSITY  

We, the members of sororities at Ohio University, agree to promote honesty, respect, sisterhood and cooperation within the College Panhellenic and our respective chapters and in our daily lives. This code of ethics is designed to inspire our members, reinforce exemplary conduct and values-based leadership and perpetuate lifelong membership to enrich the sorority and Panhellenic experience. 

We, as College Panhellenic members of Ohio University, agree on and commit to: 

• Uphold and demonstrate the Panhellenic spirit in thought, word and action through our chapters as well as individual members. 

• Demonstrate ethical behavior and conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with the mission and values of the College Panhellenic, each inter/national organization and the institution.  

• Respectfully adhere to the Unanimous Agreements and all policies established by the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). 

• Avoid disparaging remarks about any sorority or collegiate woman and refrain from discussing Panhellenic matters with nonmembers. 

• Provide an equitable and inclusive sorority experience for all women who are interested at the institution.  

• Recognize friendly relations with all collegiate women, both sorority members and nonmembers, realizing the importance of creating and building friendships. 

• Plan recruitment events that provide opportunities for the greatest possible number of women to become sorority members while protecting the rights and privileges of individuals and chapters. 

• Provide a safe, positive and enriching recruitment experience, understanding that membership is a social experience arrived at by mutual selection.  

• Strive to be truthful, honorable, open and friendly to all potential new members during all recruitment events.  

• Be respectful of the rights of every potential new member to make a personal choice, including but not limited to: not joining the sorority community at a specific time, choosing to intentional single preference or preference all sorority chapters. 

We, as College Panhellenic members of Ohio University, also agree on and commit to:  

• Respectfully adhere to the bylaws, standing rules, and recruitment rules of the College Panhellenic Council. 

• Abide by all University policies and procedures. 

• Abide by all local and federal laws and NPC inter/national Unanimous Agreements, policies and best practices. 

• Hold one another accountable to this code of ethics, remembering at all times that we represent not only our individual chapters but also the Panhellenic community as a whole. 

As Panhellenic women of Ohio University, these are the tenets by which we strive to live. 

Date adopted: September 2025 

OHIO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE PANHELLENIC COUNCIL RECRUITMENT RULES 

I. Adherence to NPC Unanimous Agreements and Policies Regarding Recruitment 

All NPC member organizations at Ohio University adhere to NPC Unanimous Agreements and policies. All organizations will follow these valued and non-negotiable policies during the recruitment process. 

II. Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) 

The College Panhellenic Association will uphold and use the membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement (MRABA) for each potential new member (PNM) interested in joining a sorority, whether during primary recruitment or continuous open bidding. We agree to all policies and steps of the MRABA. 

III. Strict Silence 

Strict silence is observed only between the end of preference events and bid distribution.  

IV. Promotion of the Sorority Experience 

College and Alumnae Panhellenic rules must not infringe on the rights of NPC member organization chapters in how they communicate, contact and promote the overall sorority experience and membership opportunities to potential new members. All sorority promotions should be positive and in the spirit of Panhellenic unity through all forms of communication (e.g., print, digital, in-person). 

Promoting the sorority experience does not mean creating an unfair advantage for a particular chapter. It means being friendly and responding to questions PNMs might ask of Panhellenic members. It means promoting sorority membership in general, not a particular organization. It also means current and alumnae members do not have to hide their sorority affiliation or be forced to delete social media accounts or be penalized for talking about their membership. 

V. Values-Based Recruitment 

All NPC member organizations represented at Ohio University will engage in the following practices that align with the Values-Based Recruitment Policy during membership recruitment: 

• Focus on conversations between chapter members and PNMs about organizational values and member organizations. 

• Establish guidelines for membership recruitment budgets and cap membership recruitment expenses, including the value of all donated goods and services. 

• Keep decorations to a minimum and confined to the interior space used for recruitment rounds. 

• Eliminate the required purchasing of recruitment event attire for chapter members. 

• Eliminate gifts, favors, letters, and notes for PNMs. 

• Eliminate all forms of bid promising, oral or written, to join a certain sorority before bids are distributed by Panhellenic. 

• Eliminate extraneous and costly performances. This includes but is not limited to recruitment skits and door stacks. 

VI. Primary Recruitment Logistics 

Chapters must submit their entire recruitment plan to the Vice President of Recruitment and Panhellenic Advisor for review by June 1 unless a different deadline is explicitly stated in these rules. The recruitment plan should include, but is not limited to, clothing, decor, activities, videos, the completed accessibility plan, and the completed financial transparency form.  

No food will be permitted during any round. Only ice water can be available to potential new members. The water and ice must be clear and unflavored, served in plain, clear cups or glasses. Cups should not have any coloring, design, or embellishments. Water bottles are not allowed. No fruit or other embellishments will be added to the cups or glasses.   

Panhellenic chapters are required to adhere to a substance-free period beginning at Round 0, Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment Orientation, and concludes 24 hours after Bid Day for primary recruitment. Chapters are expected to follow their inter/national headquarters' policy regarding substances during recruitment, if those policies are stricter than the College Panhellenic Council’s policies. 

Round 0: Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment Orientation, Wednesday, September 2 

Guidelines: 

• This round will focus on ensuring potential new members understand the expectations and schedules within primary recruitment. Potential new members will also meet their recruitment guide(s).  

Round 1: Meet the Chapters round, Videos 

Guidelines: 

• In the first round of recruitment, each Potential New Member (PNM) is required to create a personal video introduction, while the 10 Panhellenic sororities will also make their own videos. All 10 sororities will view all the PNM’s videos, and all PNMs will watch all 10 sororities’ videos. All sorority members must sign a “PNM Video Confidentiality Agreement” before receiving access to PNM videos. At the conclusion of watching the videos, voting for this first round of recruitment will be based on mutual selection made by the PNMs and the sororities. 

• Chapter Video Requirements 
  • Video cannot be more than 5 minutes.  
  • Video must be informative, rather than for entertainment.  
  • Video cannot contain substances or references to substances. This includes clips inside bars or at parties. 
  • Video must not have a distracting background.  
  • Video must have closed captioning. 
  • Round 1 video budget cannot exceed $1,000.  
  • Speaking parts in the video must take place in the chapter facility.  
  • There is no limit to how many members can speak during the video. However, the chapter president, recruitment officer, and new member educator must have a speaking part where they at least introduce themselves and their position.  
  • The video, including any clips, cannot contain men or non-members except for clips of chapter philanthropy event.  
  • Music played in the video must be appropriate, and musical lyrics cannot occur at the same time as the speaking parts.  
  • The video must share:  
    • Chapter full name & nickname(s) 
    • Founding & Chartering information  
    • Philanthropy 
    • Mission statement/Motto 
    • The chapter’s values and what they mean to you 
    • Chapter accomplishments and signature events  
    • What your chapter and/or Panhellenic means to you  
    • You may include additional information outside of what is listed above, as long as it meets the requirements listed above. You are welcome to also answer any of the questions posed to the PNMs. 
    • The official chapter video must be submitted to the Vice President of Recruitment and Panhellenic Advisor by August 1, 2026. 

Round 2: Values and Service round, Saturday, September 5, 35-minute parties  

Guidelines: 

• This round will focus on showcasing each chapter’s commitment to service, philanthropy, diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, this will provide prospective new members with a chance to see how they can develop through external collaborative programming. There may be a presentation lasting no more than 10 minutes with a 4-minute video limit. Videos with sound must include closed captioning.  

• Decor should be minimal, can be themed to the chapter’s philanthropy initiatives, and consistent with the submitted recruitment plan.  

• Potential new members may visit up to 8 chapters.  

Invitation list deadline: Sunday, September 6 at 1:00 a.m. 

Round 3: Sisterhood round, Sunday, September 6, 45-minute parties  

Guidelines: 

• This round will focus on showcasing the values that each organization, member, and potential new member has to offer. This round is intended to provide potential new members with information regarding the chapter’s sisterhood, financial obligations, and membership requirements. Chapters are encouraged to highlight expectations and obligations of being a member, including time commitments and new member/member requirements. There may be a presentation lasting no more than 10 minutes with a 4-minute video limit. Videos with sound must include closed captioning.  

• House tours are permitted during this round.  

• Decor should be minimal and consistent with the submitted recruitment plan.  

• Potential new members may visit up to 5 chapters.  

Invitation list deadline: Monday, September 7 at 12:00 a.m. 

Round 4: Preference round, Monday, September 7, 60-minute parties  

Guidelines: 

• The purpose of this round is to allow the potential new members a final glimpse into their final chapter(s), helping them see the benefit of being Greek through chapter preference ceremonies, to help determine which chapter is the best fit for them. No videos or slideshows with sound are permitted during this round.  

• Decor may accompany a preference theme and be consistent with the submitted recruitment plan.  

• Potential new members may visit up to 2 chapters.  

Bid list deadline: Monday, September 7 at 3:00 p.m. 

VII. Recruitment Guides 

Recruitment Guides, Lead Recruitment Guides, and members of the College Panhellenic Council will remain associated during primary recruitment.  

Guidelines and expectations for Recruitment Guides, Lead Recruitment Guides, and the College Panhellenic Council Officers during recruitment shall be:  

• Recruitment Guides, Lead Recruitment Guides, and the College Panhellenic Council Officers are free to share their organization's affiliation but should frame their experience as part of a greater whole.  

• Recruitment Guides, Lead Recruitment Guides, and the College Panhellenic Council Officers will be expected to:  
  • Be in good standing with Ohio University and their chapter. 
  • Promote the Panhellenic spirit and build potential new members’ spirit.  
  • Educate and answer potential new members’ questions about recruitment rules and procedures.  
  • Be objective when dealing with potential new members’ problems.  
  • Encourage communication among members of the recruitment guide groups throughout the school year.  
  • File recruitment infractions, if necessary.  
  • Participate and attend the following events/trainings:  
    • Spring training 
    • One week of Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO) 
    • Spirit Week   
    • Baker Bash, Involvement Fair, and/or tabling/flyering
    • Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment Orientation 
    • All days within the Primary Recruitment period 
    • Any other trainings outlined by the College Panhellenic Council and/or the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life  

• Chapters must submit their financial transparency form to the Panhellenic Council by June 1, as part of the recruitment plan. 

• Chapters will be required to share detailed financial information with Potential New Members during Round 3 (Sisterhood Round). Each chapter will be required to share the financial information in a brief group presentation and answer questions in individual conversations. The financial information presented should include chapter dues, headquarter fees, Panhellenic fees, and any additional expenses. Housing requirements and costs should be included in the financial presentation.  
  • Chapters are encouraged to have financial conversations earlier than Sisterhood Round but are required to present the information formally during Sisterhood Round.  

IX. Continuous Open Bidding (COB) 

Continuous Open Bidding can be conducted during the academic year, specifically during the primary and non-primary recruitment terms when: 

• A chapter has not matched quota during primary recruitment. The chapter can COB until quota is achieved. 

• A chapter is below the established total at any point in the term. 

Primary recruitment term: COB begins once total is set.  

Non-primary term: COB may begin once total is set within 24 hours of the first day of the non-primary term.  

Panhellenic can support the COB of all chapters with marketing and promotion. 

X. Alumnae Involvement 

Alumnae involvement during primary recruitment is limited to behind-the-scenes roles, not one that actively participates in the recruitment process. If alumnae, or chapter house directors, are executing the function of designated inter/national member organization staff, traveling leadership consultants, or volunteers, they may assist the member chapter during the primary recruitment process, but they cannot communicate with potential new members during primary recruitment.  

XI. Fineable Violations & Fines Assessed 

All violations and fines are addressed via the Peer Accountability Board. Fines assessed are due within 30 days of each chapter’s receipt of the final invoice for Recruitment Infractions. For every day late, a $10 per day fine will be added.