Zeta Tau Alpha is working to build a stronger, more inclusive sisterhood. The removal of the Legacy Policy is an important step in providing a more equitable recruitment experience for all potential new members. Removing it allows collegiate chapters and PNMs to focus on the mutual selection process, gives chapters full accountability for the members they select, and will ensure that non-legacy PNMs have the same access and opportunity to join Zeta Tau Alpha. It also places a greater emphasis on deeper conversations and values-based recruitment.

We recognize the special significance of sharing ZTA membership with a close family member. However, policies guaranteeing preferential treatment to legacies prohibit equal consideration of all potential new members.

Legacies have the honor of being related to women who had the opportunity to pass along Zeta Tau Alpha values. Potential new members on every campus come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Prioritizing legacies increases the barriers to entry and impedes chapters’ ability to select members whose values are the best fit for their sisterhood. The goal of recruitment is for PNMs and chapters to choose each other based on shared values.

In the last few decades, the exponential growth in the number and size of our collegiate chapters has resulted in a corresponding rise in the number of ZTA legacies participating in Recruitment. In 2019, at 58 of our chapters, the number of potential new members who identified themselves as ZTA legacies was equal to one-third or more of the number of new members allowed by Quota. At 18 of those chapters, the number of legacy PNMs was actually greater than Quota. Giving special treatment to that many women makes it difficult for chapters to select their new member classes based on shared values.

Removing the Legacy Policy from ZTA’s recruitment practices does not change anyone's identity as a legacy. The term “legacy” will continue to recognize the special relationship between the legacy and a ZTA mother, sister or grandmother. Alumnae chapters may still host social events with legacies of all ages. Current members can celebrate with their legacies who join ZTA at Initiation and during other events throughout both of their lifetime memberships.

Research on recruitment and retention trends show that legacies often feel a sense of pressure to give ZTA special consideration when going through Recruitment, regardless of whether they feel a connection to the chapter or not. This pressure diminishes the mutual selection process where PNMs consider the groups where they might be happiest and feel a stronger sense of belonging. By removing the Legacy Policy, we are lessening the pressure for both the legacy and the chapter to choose each other based on the legacy connection alone.

As outlined in ZTA’s Guide to Recruitment and Retention, the assessment criteria align with our Key Values that most apply to recruitment:

• Being Rather than Seeming
• Leadership & Responsibility
• Loyalty & Commitment
• Asset to Chapter

Yes. The purpose of our MIS is to enhance membership selection by providing relevant, useful information about potential new members with whom our alumnae have long-standing relationships. ZTA alumnae in good standing are still able to submit an MIS for any PNM they genuinely know. The most important factor to consider in referring a PNM should be her character, as evidenced from a close and long-standing relationship. Learn more about the purpose of the MIS and online submission here.

The current Constitution & Bylaws have no mention of legacies at all. The Legacy Policy is outlined in the General Manual, and the Constitution & Bylaws allow the National Council to make policy changes without a Convention vote.

The current Constitution & Bylaws do state “No student shall be pledged to Zeta Tau Alpha without an affirmative reference.” The current General Manual defines an affirmative reference as “an online MIS submitted by an alumnae or collegiate member in good standing, a Membership Advisor’s MIS validation in ZetaBase, or a chapter’s invitation to join ZTA (extending a bid during Primary Recruitment or Continuous Open Bidding/COB/CROWN).”

Yes! As the legacy’s initiation date approaches, ask her for the chapter’s contact information. An advisor or officer will be able to coordinate with you and the chapter to ensure you’re able to attend. Please contact the chapter shortly after Bid Day so plans can be made in advance of the Initiation date.

Zeta Tau Alpha publicly shared a two-year DEI Strategic Plan in September 2020 and posts regular updates about its progress to the DEI page of the website.

At this time, almost all NPC organizations have made modifications to—or in most cases, eliminated—their own legacy policies. These ongoing changes will provide a more equitable recruitment experience for all potential new members across all campuses.

Collegiate chapters should give legacies the same fair and friendly treatment they give non-legacy PNMs throughout Recruitment. Chapters should use the same criteria for Legacy and non-legacy PNMs when considering them for membership. Additionally:

Chapters are no longer expected to invite legacies back for another round of Recruitment simply because of their legacy status.

Chapters are no longer expected to place legacies who attend ZTA’s Preference round within Quota range on the Bid List.

As in the past, no legacy is guaranteed a bid.

A potential new member is welcome to indicate that she is a legacy of Zeta Tau Alpha when registering for recruitment. However, she will not receive preferential treatment during the membership selection process.

Your chapter members should treat her with the same fair and friendly consideration they extend to all PNMs. Encourage her to have her own unique recruitment experience, just as you did. Avoid pressuring her to give ZTA special consideration and trust your chapter in its decision for which PNMs to invite back. Recruitment is a mutual selection process designed to help each PNM and each chapter find the best fit.