All the things that you're saying are pretty much exactly what my campus was like and pretty much proving my point.

My understanding is a lot fewer girls drop out if they spread it out over 2 weekends instead of doing it all the week before school starts. It seems to us that the stress would be unbearable, but I guess the opposite is true. They go to the first 2 rounds, then go back to their lives, their classes, etc. and find out that there are perfectly good women in every chapter, so they stick it out. Iowa's drop out rate is still horrendous but it's improving, and Illinois' drop out rate is fabulously low.

Recruitment was the week before school back when I went through in the mid-80's. I'd like to know when it was changed.

Interesting. I kinda wonder if this is why "tent talk" is at a comparatively low level at Illinois, too. Maybe I was just oblivious, which is also possible.

My non-greek roommate could care less, my brother and his friends had nice things to say about every chapter, and it was only talking to other PNM's that I felt like the gossip came out.

I think the unicorns pooping rainbows mentality is enhanced in the bubble that is rush the week before school starts when all you have to do or think about 24 hours a day for a week is rush and which sorority is the best and worst, and there's nobody there to point out this is a group of friends, not the holy grail. Getting a couple days' reality check can only be good for the girls.

From the sororities' side, I'd be pushing for a week, pushed through, all before school starts (and really, wouldn't July be better?), but for the rushees I'd push for this new trend in spreading it out a bit.

What she said.

Recruitment week was the week before school and I was there late 80's early 90's.
I preferred it that way, we were very busy but it didn't interfere with school.
We did not lose one girl from our pledge class and they all went active the first time so it was working pretty well for us back then.

Also I tried searching for this answer, but why did they change the term rush to recruitment?

In talking with the girls going through it right now it seems the hardest part about recruitment this way is trying to avoid interaction with active sorority members. They don't know how to act, should they say hi, will they get in trouble, what if any sorority sees them and thinks that they got the vibe they are not interested when they actually are. My girls are so worried they go to class and then stay in their dorms. I made them all shut down their FB accounts before they got to school and they understand that they are not to go to any parties right now. When I talked with girls who were already active that is the stuff they don't want to see. PNM's out at parties, especially drinking and inappropriate FB etc. Everything that is preached over and over again here is so true.

I wish I could say it's easier right now, but my girls have played a millions different scenarios in their heads. It's very hard for them to know where they are going back to and my one concern is if a favorite were to not invite them back it would be better to know sooner rather than later so you could mentally let that one go faster.
6 days with a few favorites is a lot more time to convince yourself you have found your new home than 10 hours before losing them the next morning.
The old way, the PNMs would be finished now. I am so happy if some girls have their mind on other things, but mine are struggling right now despite trying so hard to not to.

Clara Mom I hope your daughter is having a great week and is not too worried!

Supposedly it's less "scary" to the rushees and more politically correct. The problem is, what actually happens has not changed. "Recruitment" would imply that the sorority figures out what they want and then goes looking for only women who fit that description. Obviously that isn't what happens at all.

It's stupid, many of us older and wiser chicas agree. :)

Here's some threads about it (but skip the last two pages of the first one):

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=74619

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=41412

Great thanks!
I keep writing rush instead and then going back and fixing it.
As long as I'm not actually offending anyone I am going to let that mistake go from now on.

From talking with the girls going through it the last few years, recruitment seems quite a bit scarier than rush ever was.
Or maybe, like childbirth, the outcome is so great you forget how scary and at times painful it could be :)

I decided earlier this year I am no longer using the term recruitment. Even 18 year olds use rush if they slip into un-PC-ness. We can tip the scales in favor of bringing back common sense words!

Maybe it's because I'm in the middle of the whole smooshed-together rush (I mean recruitment :p) period, but I think I'd favor the weekends only way right now. We noticed yesterday that literally every woman at our parties as well as all the sisters had dark circles under their eyes. 10 days is really brutal, particularly when it's basically 5 PM to 10 PM every night. I think having the weeks off to do homework, relax, and get some rest would do some good for the women, not to mention the fact that it is so incredibly hard to keep up with schoolwork. I'll probably suggest this idea to PHC after this year is over and see what they say. I think it's something to think about, especially since U of I is so similar to us in so many ways and it seems to be working for them.

Pins and needles ... and trying to resist the temptation to FB creep my daughter ...

On a bus to Champaign as I type. So excited! :)

My pnm Ava is in bed, not asleep yet, but trying. So excited and a little bit nervous for her as we are much closer than I may have said in the beginning.
No matter what invites she gets back tomorrow, they are meant to be, and I know she will be happy and thrilled going back to the houses that have been waiting all week to see her! I wish everyone a wonderful day tomorrow and Clara Mom I wish only the best for your daughter! I will let everyone know the minute I find out! Thanks to everyone for being so supportive and kind, it's nice to know there are so many others that care and are interested in her experience.
I will see you all in the morning!

They didn't rush today? So bid day is on a Monday? Weird.