PHC Summer Update, August 2010

Even though we are technically on summer vacation, the Panhellenic community has been as busy as ever! We are beginning the month of August, and I would like to take this time to update everyone on what has been happening over the past couple months.

Internal:

In response to our rapidly increasing numbers, Panhellenic has begun to explore Extension in order to add a 13^th National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) chapter to our campus! On August 2^nd, one representative from each chapter met as the Exploratory Committee to review recruitment and housing statistics. This committee will ultimately give the recommendation to our voting Delegates to either stay as 12 chapters or open our campus to a 13^th.  Stay tuned for more Extension updates!

I am pleased to announce that our CalGreeks Social Chair training will be held on August 25^th with presentations from Berkeley Fire Department, Berkeley Police Department, and the UC Police. Giving our chapter officers a refresher of City, University, and Greek social policies before classes officially begin means that we can start having safe events even sooner!

I also want to take the time to officially congratulate Gamma Phi Beta on their National awards! During the Gamma Phi Beta national convention in Orlando, they were presented with the Panhellenic Spirit Award and the Francis B. Haven Award for the most improved chapter. Congratulations to Gamma Phi Beta for these well-deserved awards! We are so proud of you!

In other exciting news, the Panhellenic GPA again topped both the All Cal Undergrad and All Cal Women’s GPA! Our chapters averaged a 3.38 GPA for the Spring 2010 semester, beating the All Cal Women’s by .06 and up an impressive .05 from last Fall’s 3.33. Congratulations to the women of Chi Omega for earning the highest GPA at a staggering 3.49! These numbers prove that Panhellenic women are intelligent and academically oriented. Good job ladies and keep up the hard work!

External:

Panhellenic’s participation in the Cal Move-Out and Re-USE Programs was extremely successful. In a letter to Chancellor Birgeneau and the Mayor of Berkeley, Tom Bates, Panhellenic was given a shout-out by the program coordinator, Caleb Dardick. We will definitely continue to work with these amazing programs for move-out next semester.

This Fall, Panhellenic chapters will be participating in the University Housing Move-In Program on both days of dorm move in. Our women will be rolling up their sleeves and helping students move in to the Units all weekend. Be on the lookout for us and let us tell you more about the Greek community and Panhellenic recruitment!

Programming:

The CalGreeks Programming Board has been busy this summer planning our major events for the Fall semester, Greek Carnival and Greek Week! Greek Carnival will be held on Monday, August 23^rd from 10pm-1am on Lower Sproul. Carnival is a fun and exciting late night event where students can meet people from each chapter on campus, play fun carnival style games, enjoy some free food, and dance to a live DJ! All 12 Panhellenic chapters will have booths; so if you are interested in recruitment, make sure to stop by!

Mark your calendars because Greek Week is the first week in October! Teams and events will be announced in September…get your game faces on and remember to start saving your change for penny wars!

Risk Management:

Greeks Fight Back is coming to Cal on October 10^th to teach Panhellenic women about self-defense in a hands on and exciting way! Attendance at this program will count towards chapter’s fulfillment of the CalGreeks/Panhellenic education requirement.

I am also excited to announce the first All-Panhellenic New Member Education event, which will be happening just before Greeks Fight Back. At this program, all new members from each chapter will learn about the Greek community in greater detail, including the Four Councils and Four Pillars, safety issues, and ways to prevent harmful situations. Our hope is that by educating our newest members early on in their college career, we can encourage safe habits and reduce risk.

Recruitment:

The majority of the work that goes on during the summer is to prepare for our Fall Formal Recruitment process! Chapters, Recruitment Counselors, and the Panhellenic Recruitment Team have been tirelessly preparing for what we are expecting to be our largest recruitment ever!

If you are interested in getting an exclusive tour of our chapter houses before recruitment begins, please join us for House Tours on Sunday, August 22^nd at 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm, leaving from International House (top of Bancroft Ave.). You will have a chance to speak with Recruitment Counselors, meet chapter officers, and learn more about Panhellenic and the recruitment process.

At 6pm on August 23^rd and 24^th, Panhellenic will be holding info sessions for interested women. Please come and ask us any questions you have about our community!

This year, recruitment begins on August 27^th and ends on September 2^nd. If you are interested in participating in Recruitment, please see the Panhellenic Recruitment page and register by August 24^th.

Whew! So much has been going on, the summer sure has flown by! But I know that with everything that will be going on this semester, school will be just as fun! Also, it is almost the “most wonderful time of the year,” football season! GO BEARS!

Fraternally,

Katrina Ziegenhirt

Panhellenic President