Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap (Post 2472913)

I have read through the posts regarding pairing and wanted to add a few comments to mix. I was social chair back in the day and I went out of my way to have events with different fraternities so that our chapter could get to know theirs. Never once did I have a fraternity not want to plan an event nor did we ever have a fraternity not show up. Maybe times were different or people were different, but I do wonder how often the social chairs actually seek out chapters with whom they don't normally mix? We are placing blame on the organization as a whole, but maybe the socials aren't going out of their comfort zone enough or executive officers aren't supporting reaching out.

I like the idea of a Greek Week that I think Rod D suggested. We did this when I was in school and you were paired with fraternities for different events like a relay run, co-ed volleyball, tug of war, etc. You might be paired with one group for one event and then another group for a different event. It was a lot of fun and you wanted the points, so you hoped you were paired with a chapter that had some athletic members. Something like this could easily be done in the fall when the weather is nicer. If chapters knew they might only spend an hour or two with a new group, it might not be so daunting.

The random pair idea is one that has been kicked around for years, but is never implemented. I understand the hesitation, but it could also be done pretty easily. Instead of all paired events being parties, chapters could pair for other events such as a Saturday helping build at Habitat for Humanity, after school tutoring at the Boys and Girls Club, a fundraising night for IUDM at a local restaurant. If a fraternity and sorority paired for events similar to the ones I mentioned above, they might get to know each other and accomplish something positive for the community while getting some good PR. I believe chapters can only have an official pair like every two weeks, if they do the philanthropy pair let them earn another social pair. Give them an incentive to try. Or at the social pairs have a sign in sheet and if a certain percentage of your chapter doesn't attend, then you lose an event. Make it a reasonable percentage like 33% or 40%. That will allow for students who are going home, have academic responsibilities like I-core, illness, etc.

I do believe that if chapter were forced to mix to a small extent the Greek system would benefit. At least, if nothing else, some of the stereotypes would be debunked.

Just my two cents.

Originally Posted by GreekOne (Post 2472914)

All of this yes, 100%. It really needs to be driven by Panhellenic and IFC. It would improve the Greek system tremendously.

On a completely different note, do you IndianaSigKap know how many houses, if any, decline quota additions? There was some discussion about this on the FB group and I was wondering if that is happening at IU?

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap (Post 2472915)

I have been told that since they are using all of the RFM rules this year, all chapters can accept QAs, no chapter will be allowed to decline. Given the number of drops and SIPs, I would guess that most every chapter will make quota, which I speculated to be somewhere between 54 and 58.

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses (Post 2472921)

I was told this past weekend that Women's Panhellenic has suggested random pairings for homecoming and/or little 5 and that the IFC flatly refused to consider it. So sadly, it is the fraternities that are blocking it. It would be lovely if the sororities flat out refused pairs unless the IFC changed it's mind, however they would all have to agree and stick to it.

No word on chapter total. However since informal recruitment has such a negative stigma (a holdover from bed rush days when smaller = better) few want to do it, so as long as you have retention and make quota, the chapters tend to be similar sizes.

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06 (Post 2472922)

I don't really understand what these pairings are for (homecoming? mixers?), but all the sororities should band together and pair with each other. Leave the fraternities out of it if they want to pull this s***.

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06 (Post 2472922)

I don't really understand what these pairings are for (homecoming? mixers?), but all the sororities should band together and pair with each other. Leave the fraternities out of it if they want to pull this s***.

Originally Posted by Rod D (Post 2472925)

Homecoming and little 500 are the two biggest weeks at IU. It's not a 2 hour "mixer." They are week long pairs with events happening all week. And let's face it, they are big party weeks. There is a lot of risk that week -- Asking them to pair with a house they don't really know is a big ask. There is no way IFC would agree to that ask.

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap (Post 2472926)

Pairs also refer to a one off party two a fraternity or sorority might have on the weekend, too, not just the pair for HC and Little 5. That's where some of the confusion comes in, as well.

Originally Posted by PGD-GRAD (Post 2472928)

I wonder what will happen when some of these “super-fratty” guys and “insta-famous” ladies have to work closely with someone with whom they’d deem socially inferior? Or—horrors—have one for a boss?

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman (Post 2472931)

Hopefully they all have nice trust funds. The number one reason for being let go from a job is the inability to get along with co-workers.