The new party structure doesn't address the real problem-- there is only x number of bids to give out every year.

But it does allow pnms to get a better look at more houses and it allows the houses to make a better decision about which girls to invite back.
This ensures that each group (pnms and chapters) is making the best decision. The goal is to make sure that you have the most well-matched girls going through your chapter's pref round so you end up with the best quality pledge class possible.

DeltaBetaBaby-

I do think we use some type of release figures. I don't know if they are tailored to each chapter or if they pertain to the whole system but I do know we have X amount at 19 party and we must cut to Y amount for 14, etc. Since I'm not a recruitment chair, I'm not really privileged to that information but I imagine there is some system in place to make the process more equal even if chapters do not end up taking the same amount of women.

alright, so i dont want to be that girl freaking out about nothing, but i still have not gotten an email with rho gomma information, or any information on rush in general.

is this normal?

I feel the exact same way! I am also a freshman rushing at IU this year and I'm SO anxious. Everyone always keeps saying "you'll get your Rho Gamma a couple of weeks after registration" but that's so vague. It's been a couple of weeks now and no news yet. Oh well. I'll keep checking my email!

I think I got my Rho Gamma the week before Thanksgiving... so that's next week.

You really don't need your Rho Gamma that much for 19 party but you'll REALLY need her for when you come back early from Break.

Don't worry! They'll let both of you know soon.

DeltaBetaBaby

I just stumbled across the answer to your question from awhile ago in the recruitment bylaws on the PHA website:

"The Panhellenic Association requires that each fraternity limit its function invitation lists to the number recommended by the Panhellenic Association based on the release figures method and the chapter's quota."


So we use release figures tailored to each individual chapter (I confirmed this with my VP recruitment). Apparently, when we made the switch last year from 12 to 14 parties, etc., the release figures were incorrect and many houses that never had to before had to snap bid to make up for it. Just thought I'd add that :)

Also, your rho gamma should've have contacted you by now to set up a meeting!!!

We just had our first meeting with our Rho Gamma tonight! I am definitely really excited for recruitment but also so incredibly scared. She kind of went over the harsh realities that can come with recruitment and told us some freaky stuff. Like for instance, there are cases where some girls get as little as 0-3 houses as early as right after 19 party. I'm so scared that I'm going to be THAT girl, haha. It's made even more complicated because I live on a small all-girl floor and the majority of us are going through recruitment, so this is definitely going to be a chaotic and stressful time. But I'm very eager to get the process underway!

Don't get yourself all worked up about it. There will be some girls who have a very rough recruitment, but most girls who go through recruitment will find a home if they are willing to consider all 19 chapters and not just the 3 or 4 perceived as the best. And remember, all the sidewalk talk and desperation about this house or that house all goes away after recruitment. Go in with a good attitude, a relaxed smile and a readiness to talk about whatever is thrown at you, and you'll likely be fine. What you can do now is spend time thinking about what questions you might be asked and think of multi-word answers to those questions. What's your major, what did you do last summer, do you have a job, what do you like to do for fun, what's your favorite movie, none of these questions should sneak up on you. And you should have a few questions ready to ask so you don't have that awkward silence when a rusher asks if you have any questions. Good luck!

Awesome advise from DubaiSis!

The best recruitment advice you can have is to go into each chapter with an open mind. There will be talk of "I hear this/that about that chapter" but it probably isn't true. Block out the trash talk and don't let what your friends think about each chapter affect what you think.

If you stay true to yourself you'll be sure to find a home!

Thanks guys! It's so nice to know there are people who have experienced the IU recruitment process firsthand on here and are able to give great advice.

19 party is this weekend and I'm getting really excited! I think it's going to be a great experience. More than anything I want to find a chapter to call home but all the chapters at IU are so great that I can't imagine myself not finding somewhere that's a good fit for me.

Oh, and my Rho Gamma said there are about 1600 girls rushing this year. I guess that's a fairly average number of girls who go through recruitment each year?

It's actually right around 1500 so it's about average! You will do great! Get excited and have fun with it! I hope you'll consider writing a recruitment story if you have time :)

1500 rushing average? wow, I don't think there's 1500 girls at my uni..

19 party is this weekend, so excited and a little nervous.

my rho gamma was a sohpomore as well when she went through recruitment, and she keeps telling us that as long as we be ourselves and have fun we will have a good experience :)

Good luck and have fun!!
I hope to hear how it turns out.