Panhellenic Classism Facilitator Guide

1. F L O R I D A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y
F A C I L I T A T O R G U I D E
Panhellenic
Formal Recruitment
Simulation
Examining
Classism
M O L L Y B U C K L E Y , A L Y S S A S H E A R S . T E R R I T H O M A S , K E V I N W A T E R S

2. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
F A C I L I T A T O R G U I D E
S I Z E : 2 0 T O 4 0 P A R T I C I P A N T S . E S T I M A T E D
D U R A T I O N : 4 5 M I N U T E S .
Outline
Welcome!
Activity Part 1
Community Expectations
Self Reflection
Key Terminology
Activity Part 2
History
Activity Part 3
Stigmas
Chapter Dues vs. Average Yearly Salary
Scholarships & Social Capital
Activity Part 4
What can be done to bridge the gap?

3. Mission:
The purpose of this workshop is to educate members of our
diversity class about capitalism and how classism effects
individuals within the Panhellenic Greek System. The workshop
shows how capitalism and classism impact the formal recruitment
of Panhellenic Associations within the United States and provides a
clear framework for understanding how capitalism effects students
in order to develop us as allies who will work towards change
against classism, discrimination, and prejudice.
Goals:
Out Team will simulate classism as an activity throughout the
presentation and demonstrate effective strategies by developing
awareness with key definitions related to classism, a knowledge of
self and others and becoming aware of our learned attitudes about
others and ourselves that help perpetuate the class system by
simulating the formal recruitment of Panhellenic Associations and
first year experience. In each round, each participant will see if
they are able to complete the round after facing an economic
oppression. The remaining participants will continue to the next
round. The participants that go bankrupt will be then be
representing the student community and must compete against
each other in various tasks to continue to the next round. Lastly the
presentation will discuss taking action as an ally to increase
awareness of classism in your community, begin to explore the
impact of classism in Greek Life on your campus, and challenge the
internalized oppression of poor and working-class students.
B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Mission & Goals

4. (Distribute game board and varied amounts of money/cards before
beginning: game board, money, cards, and instructions are included
at the end of this guide)
Welcome! You are all now incoming students interested in
becoming members of a Panhellenic sorority on campus. You have
each been given a game board, outlining the different activities we
will be taking you through during this “year” of college. You have
also each been given a bag containing different items. As we will
talk about in just a minute, there are different forms of capital
when talking about classism. The money and cards in each of your
bags represent different levels of economic and social capital that
you, as a prospecive member of the Greek community, possess.
So, to begin, we will start where almost all Panhellenic students
start: recruitment. You will go through about one week of
recruitment events to help you find which organization you would
like to become a part of. However, there is a fee associated with
this week of recruitment, so we will come around and be collecting
$100 from you. (group members collect money) But your financial
obligations are not over quite yet. While each new member must
pay the registration fee, there are still additional personal
expenses. There is specific dress code for each day of recruitment,
for both those being recruited and those doing the recruiting. Since
some of these items of clothing are very exact, this will cause you
to do a little shopping. Now, you each have a choice. We can either
come collect $50 from you, or you can use one of your social capital
cards. However, remember to be strategic. Take inventory of the
different kinds of capital you have and consider how you want to
use it- we have a whole year to get through!
B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Activity Part 1

5. I want to take a minute to revisit the community Community
Expectations. Is there anything we would like to add as a class
before continuing?
Keeping in mind that these arguments were established on our
first day of class
• This is a living document so things can be add to or altered at any
time • Please refer back when others are sharing or during dialogue
As a team, we wanted you mindful that activity is a simulation not
all things are accurate to first semester of an actual sorority
members experience but we wanted to show more
multiple instances of classism that would happen outside of the
first year experience. Also, we are not members of a panhellenic
sorority: if we say something wrong feel free to check us
B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Community Expectations Script

6. Growing up in a class society, we have all learned attitudes about
others and ourselves that help perpetuate the class system. Take a
minute to reflect on these questions to aid you in becoming aware
of the oppressions and/or privileges of your experiences because
awareness is the first step in making a commitment to change.
Even if you have not finished all the questions in the time allotted,
can I have 2-3 people to share how this reflection made them think
or feel about their own oppressions and/or privileges when it comes
to classism.
B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Social Class Exploration Script

7. • Listening for understanding. Active listening.
• We’re all coming in at different levels with different
understandings.
• Feel comfortable checking each other.
• Utilize “I” voice.
• Focus on the idea, not the person.
• Seek to understand, not to be understood.
• Welcome questions, but do not be afraid to ask questions.
• Assume good intent.
• Check yourself.
• Be okay with silence.
• Respect one another – avoid side conversations/don’t speak over
others; watch non-verbal signals. Step up, step back.
•_____________________________________________________
•_____________________________________________________
•_____________________________________________________
•_____________________________________________________
•_____________________________________________________
•_____________________________________________________
•_____________________________________________________
Things to remember thought our presentation remember:
• Keeping in mind that these arguments were established on our
first day of class
• This is a living document so things can be add to or altered at any
time • Please refer back when others are sharing or during dialogue
B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Community Expectations

8. Take a minute to reflect on these questions:
Money and Work
Who earned money in your family? How much? Did the income
change?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
What were the attitudes about spending? saving?
loaning/borrowing? accepting welfare?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Did you feel you had enough? more or less than your friends?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
What kind of job did the money earners in the family have? How
much control did they have at work? Who owned the work place?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
What were your family's/friends'/society's view of the status of
that work?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Home
What kind of neighborhood did you live in?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Social Class Exploration
American Psychological Association, (2016). Social class curricula: Classroom exercises. Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/social­class­exercises.aspx

9. Home Continued
Did you own your home?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Did you move a lot? If so, why?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Who lived at home? grandparents? older/married children?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Education
How much "formal" education did your parents have?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
What were the expectations for your education?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Are you the first generation in your family to attend college?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
What do you believe is the most important reason for a college
education?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Social Class Exploration
American Psychological Association, (2016). Social class curricula: Classroom exercises. Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/social­class­exercises.aspx

10. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Key Terminology Script
While I have provided a longer list of key terms and concepts for the class
we are only going to light a few.
Classism
Relative social rank in terms of income, wealth, education,occupational
status, and/or power.
Lower Class/Poor
The portion of the middle class with lower and less stable incomes due to
lower-skilled or unstable employment.
Working Class
The stratum of families whose income depends on hourly wages for labor,
or on other non-managerial work or very small business activity that
doesn’t require higher education.
Middle Class
The stratum of families whose income depends on hourly wages for labor,
or on other non-managerial work or very small business activity that
doesn’t require higher education.
Owning Class/Rich
The stratum of families who own income-producing assets suf- cient to
make paid employment unnecessary.
Ruling Class
The stratum of people who hold positions of power in major institutions of
the society.
Individual: This term refers to classism on a personal or individual level,
either in behavior or attitudes, either conscious and intentional or
unconscious and unintentional.
Institutional: This term refers to the ways in which intentional and
unintentional classism is manifest in the various institutions of our society.
Cultural: this term refers to the ways in which classism is manifest
through our cultural norms and practices. It can often be found in the
ideology behind something.
Financial: Economic resource in terms of amount of money at one’s
disposal
Social: Resources based on group membership, relationships, networks of
influence and support
Cultural: The forms of knowledge, skill, education, any advantages a person
has that give her or him a higher status in society.

11. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Key Terminology
Adams, M., Bell L.A., & Griffin, P. (Eds.). (1997). Teaching for diversity and social justice: A sourcebook. New York: Routledge

12. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Key Terminology
Adams, M., Bell L.A., & Griffin, P. (Eds.). (1997). Teaching for diversity and social justice: A sourcebook. New York: Routledge

13. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Activity Part 2
Recruitment was a success and now we are at Bid Day! You each got a bid
from the organization of your dreams and are excited about officially
becoming part of the Greek community on campus. However, now that
you have found your place, it is time to pay your fees and dues. Fees for
this year are $2000. Once again, you have two options. The first option is
to pay the fees up front. The second option is to consider the scholarship
opportunities available. Since these scholarships are often not
well-known to incoming members and take prior connection to the
organization (family/legacy) into consideration, these scholarships
require a certain level of social capital. So, your second option is to pay
$1000 and one social capital card.
Discussion: Quick check-in to see how people are feeling financially at
this point (some people will almost be out of money)

14. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
History Script
In 1891 the National Panhellenic Conference was established. Serving as an open forum for the
participating “female fraternities” conversations centered around who sororities would develop
consistent recruitment practices, not pull a woman from another sorority, and how collaboration
needed to exist amongst the existing councils. After the 1893 meeting at the Chicago World fair,
collaboration amongst existing sororities went away, until 1902 when Alpha Phi invited the other
sororities to continue meeting, and invited the two newest sororities to join them.
The NPC is the national council that acts as the governing body for all sororities. It has grown in size
tremendously since its development in the 1890’s. Calais (2002) points out that it was 1851 when
women began organizing secretly. These were not formalized sororities, but instead, secret societies
for women to meet and form friendships. It was through these meetings that the formalized
recruiting process was developed. The NPC became the meeting ground for women to express their
need to establish practices that would ritualized each sororities’ traditions, values, and visions, within
their own organizations.
While the sorority recruitment process, sometimes known as “rush,” is a very secretive act, some
research exists to outline the process. However, the research is not observational, as the ritual
practices are not allowed to be viewed by outside members. Calais noted, even though she was
interviewing women closely, she was never able to physically observe the women acting out their
rituals.
It is important to note the changes that the NPC has undergone. For example, 1902 was when the
“Inter-Sorority Conference” was established. This name was then changed to the NPC in 1908.
Three years later the NPC changed “conference” to “congress” only to revert back to National
Panhellenic Conference as the official organizational name in 1945.
The NPC has grown in size each year, with the exception of several years where there were less
councils, due to some sororities merging together. Though the rituals are not reserved and reported in
research, the research does show that the rituals continue to grow in number, as sororities adapt their
visions, expectations, and practices, with the changing times.
Currently, the NPC has established a political arm to lobby for policies in Washington, a business arm
to recruit and protect financial liquidity of the national council, and continues to adapt its recruiting
processes to ensure that sorority recruitment practices are growing within the Greek Life on college
campuses. This is the exact framework that necessitates a conversation about classism within Greek
Life. As sororities continue to grow and recruit the next generation of women, the financial means of
the incoming women is dwindling, while the costs for joining are not. There are many negative
stereotypes that perpetuate the classism within sororities. However, some of these stereotypes can be
substantiated by sheer costs to join the organization, connections to social capital accessed by
members, and diversity numbers within NPC sororities are evaluated.

15. Good Afternoon
Hi my name is _______, and my fellow facilitators are _______
First, we are thrilled you are interested in joining our wonderful
Social Justice community. It is truly the best decision you could
make during your time in Diversity in Higher Education! Our
mission in developing this training and simulation is to help you
navigate classism and to show how capitalism and institutional
classism impact the formal recruitment of Panhellenic Associations
within the United States. In this participant guide, you will find
answers to some of your questions and/or concerns you may have
about joining a sorority and how it relates to classism in the United
States. Our main goal is to develop awareness and to increase
awareness and allyship of classism in our community
The recruitment process can seem confusing and well, a little
overwhelming at first. But nothing beats experience so I am going
to let ________ take you through you first activity of recruitment
and through the presentation you will simulate your first year in
a sorority... if you become a member.
B O U R K E S T . C A F E
F A C I L I T A T O R G U I D E
Welcome Script

16. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
History
The NPC was established in 1891
Collaborative effort between 6 sororities
Served as meeting ground for creating rules
Collaboration and Communication
First meeting in Boston 1891 included:
Kappa Kappa Gamma Pi Beta Phi
Alpha Phi Kappa Alpha Theta
Delta Gamma Gamma Phi Beta
Delta Delta Delta
History of the NPC Namesake
Originally called “Female Fraternities”
1902: Inter-Sorority Conference established
1908: Changed to National Panhellenic Conference
1911: National Panhellenic Congress
1945: Changed back to NPC
History of NPC
1851: Women form secret societies to create friendships
1891: NPC began as a collaborative tool amongst chapters
1917: NPC determines all chapters bound by rush rules
1933: Delegates recommend reduction in rush costs
1947: “Crossover” rule established to ensure women don’t change
sororities
2003: NPC begins lobbying in D.C. for housing act
2008: Sorority life website launched to quell misperception
2009: Sorority parents website launches
2012: Sorority recruitment website launched to educate women
on the process

17. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Activity Part 3
Now we are into the academic year, and you have made some great
friends through your sorority. You all are frequently going out, spending
time together, and building meaningful relationships with each other.
However, these events are not free. To pay for these events, we will be
collecting $200. Consider you financial status, and decide whether or not
you will participate in these events. If you chose not to participate, we
will not collect the $200.
Discussion: For those who chose not to pay, how do you feel this will
affect your relationships within the organization?
While these activities were optional, we know that not all activities in
these chapters are. There are some mandatory events, such as chapter
meetings and service events. Now, raise your hand if you have a red card.
These cards mean that you have missed an event, the reason for which is
listed on your card. For each red card, you will be fined $50 by your
organization.
Discussion: Another quick check-in (more people will be out of money at
this point)

18. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Stigmas Script
When we talk about Panhellenic sororities, a few stigmas are
generally associated with the organizations. What might be a few of
these stigmas that come to your mind? Possible answers:
Party girls, stupid, rich girls, daddy pays for everything
We tried to find videos of women in sororities giving advice on how
to alleviate the cost of dues or chapter affiliated videos explaining
the process of payment but it seems that the cost of Panhellenic
sororities is just not talked about it. However, the heavy cost of
sorority life is widely discussed in the comment section. I took
screen shots of a few comments I came across concerning cost.
What similarities do you see from these comments?
Possible answers: all about money, verifies stigmas, seems like they
are not written by affiliated women

19. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Chapter Dues vs.
Average Yearly Salary Script
Many believe that Panhellenic sororities are too expensive so we looked
at two sorority semester dues and compared the amount with the
respective states average yearly salary. Here we have Alpha Delta Pi at
the University of Central Florida. Listed, are the cost of dues per
semester for first year member not living in the house, active members
living in the house, and active members not living in the house.
Floridians make an average of $18.96 an hour which means for an
active member to be able to pay dues and live in the house, they would
have to work 201 hours. Who is working those hours? Parents?
Students juggling part-time employment and school work? We also
looked at Alpha Delta Pi at Mississippi State. Mississippi actually has
the highest poverty rate in the country with an average hourly wage of
only $16.14. However, the sorority dues in the state of Mississippi are
among some of the most expensive. This seems to be a very direct
example of the separation between socioeconomic classes.

20. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Chapter Dues vs.
Average Yearly Salary
Mississippi State
Alpha Delta Pi
1st Year: $3,043
Active member + Living: $4,723
Active member: $2,173
Average Yearly Salary
Floridians have an average
annual salary of $40,750 or an
hourly wage of $18.96
1st Year: about 101 hours of work
Active member + Living: about
201 hours of work
Active member: about 86 hours
of work
Average Yearly Salary
Mississippi has an average
annual salary of $35,521 or an
hourly wage of $16.14
1st Year: about 189 hours of work
Active member + Living: about
293 hours of work
Active member: about 135 hours
of work
University of Central Florida
Alpha Delta Pi
1st Year: $1,921
Active member + Living: $3,815
Active member: $1,626

21. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Scholarships & Social
Capital Script
So if you are not among the upper class, how can women afford to join
sororities? The National Panhellenic Council offers three scholarships
each year. The Betty Mullins Jones Scholarship offers $1000 to a
woman who has worked to further her fraternal community’s
reputation on her campus and who embodies the values of sisterhood,
philanthropy, and scholarship. The Elizabeth Ahlemeyer Quick
Scholarship offers $2000 to a member in good standings that has been
nominated by the College Panhellenic and has displayed outstanding
service to her local college Panhellenic. The woman must have 3.0 and
plan to enroll as a full-time junior or senior. The last scholarship is the
Mary Louise Roller Scholarship which offers $1000 to an undergraduate
woman who plans to attend graduate school the following fall and who
has displayed outstanding service to her local College Panhellenic. The
problem here is there are only three scholarships, each awarded to a
single woman, and only on a yearly basis. The other issue is that all
three scholarships require the applicant to be extremely committed to
her sorority and have been in the chapter for a number of years. There
are also a number of alumni scholarships offered, depending on the
chapter, but these too are awarded to the women who are heavily
involved. These scholarships are not beneficial to women who wish to
join a sorority but require financial aid.
Economic capital is not the only thing that separates women; social
capital can be just as influential when wanting to join a sorority. Having
a sister, mother, or grandmother as an alumna of a sorority makes
someone a legacy which all but guarantees the woman a bid to the
chapter. In addition, having relations with someone who has been in a
sorority can help understand payment options and scholarship
opportunities

22. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Scholarships & Social Capital
“awarded to a woman who has worked to further her fraternal
community’s reputation on her campus and who embodies the values of
sisterhood, philanthropy, and scholarship”
Elizabeth Ahlemeyer Quick Scholarship ($2000)
“awarded to a member in good standing of one of the NPC member
groups. Nomination is required by College Panhellenic and the nominee
must have displayed outstanding service to her local college Panhellenic.
The academic requirements include a minimum 3.0 grade point average,
and plan to enroll as a full-time junior or senior for the upcoming
academic year”
Mary Louise Roller Scholarship ($1000)
“awarded to an undergraduate woman who plans to attend graduate
school the following fall. Each recipient shall have displayed outstanding
service to her local College Panhellenic
a potential new member who is the sister, daughter, or granddaughter of
an alumna sorority member.
Scholarships
Social Capital: Legacy

23. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Activity Part 4
We are now reaching the end of the year, which means it’s time for
formal! To cover the expenses of the night, we will be coming around to
collect $100.
Discussion: Now that we are at the end of the year, it’s time to think
about the future. For those who are still in the game, consider your
financial status. Will you be able to continue as an active member next
year, considering that potential additional costs that come with moving
into a house, extra obligations that come with being a returning member,
and the additional responsibilities you will have to balance in your
personal and academic life?

24. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
What can be done Script
We are going to end the session similar to how we started and
brainstorm: What can be done to bridge the gap?
Listen openly and with respect.
• Self-educate and Educate others.
• Make friends with people who are different in class.
• Learn about resources
• Risk discomfort.
• Support the leadership of poor and working-class people.

25. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
What can be done to
bridge the gap?
What can we do to better understand classism?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
What ways can we educate the campus community?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
What actions can we take as Allys/Advocate/Activist?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Can we create institutional change?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Lingering Questions
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

26. B O U R K E S T . C A F E
Appendix