And how was quota determined?

At some schools, quota was set either at the beginning or after the first or second round, instead of after preference, quota being the number of PNMs divided by the number of chapters. The problem with this is that it doesn't account for any PNMs dropping out of recruitment. So if you have 500 PNMs signed up and 10 chapters, quota would have been 50, and it still would have been 50 if the pool of PNMs shrinks to 400, when it should be 40.

The result: a large number of PNMs did drop out when the bigger chapters finally made their cuts. As I've mentioned before, it resulted in huge quotas but only the bigger groups took quota and the smaller groups struggled and had to COB all year.

As I've also mentioned, the old system allowed more people to get their perceived first choice but seems to have also resulted in the glut of legacies we face now.

With the old system, you were generally expected to put everyone who you invited to pref on your bid list. It usually was OK because with quota additions being limited to 5% of quota, you probably weren't going to get all the way thru the lisdt before you closed out.

Now with RFM, if she's on your bid list anywhere, you could get her because there are no limitations where they allow them to maximize their options. So the onus is on the chapter in these situations to be sure and release the "orange and purple girl" or you might end up with her!

:eek::eek:What she said!:eek::eek:

I skimmed through some of the discussion in this thread, so forgive me if my point was already addressed:

I like RFM. I think it does make a lot of sense to have PNMs take honestly assess chapters earlier in their process rather than later. Where I see some points of concern are:

1) For chapters that are doing even moderately well on their campus, they may have to face really steep cuts in Round 1, and I think this makes a case for some kind of longer Round 1 (maybe two sets of visits, etc.) process on campuses that can swing it. The difference between someone who's invited back and who is released can be pretty random.

2) When I was a collegiate, "double-rushing" was always an issue for my chapter: we would frequently have a few PNMs each round who had to be doubled up with another PNM because we didn't have enough sisters for conversation. With RFM suggesting that smaller chapters invite back even higher percentages of PNMs, I think Greek Advisors NEED to include break parties (for PNMs, not for chapters) to ensure that the smaller chapters can actually handle their PNMs effectively.

My two cents.... for now

I agree with #3 and think the round one parties are probably too short. 20 minutes for this all important cut seems crazy and I think that's about what we're talking about, especially if you're the last one in line at a party with 50 girls. At the really big campuses (15+ chapters) it should probably go to 3 days instead of 2. I know all the negatives on that and wouldn't fight to the death over it, but I'd sure hate to be the most popular chapter on campus right now, having to cut more than half of the girls going through, based on 3 members meeting a girl for 5 minutes each. Either that, or the rush application form needs to include an essay portion or video submittal!

But that being said, I think RFM is doing just what was intended. It seems the schools had some growing pains with it and had MORE girls dropping out of rush earlier, but after time passes and girls understand there are 15 (or whatever) good chapters there, they are learning to give more chapters a shot. At least it seems that way based on numbers.

Now we just need an RFM for member retention which seems to stink lately.

/edit Ooops, it appears there was an edit above me. I think my comment can stand alone, however.

I am thinking that at the really big campuses, the largest sororities with the best recruiting strength probably already know who they're going to cut after first parties; therefore, a third day of open house parties would be frustrating and pointless.

And you may be right on that. I've never been involved with that kind of a rush process, or any RFM based rush for that matter. I hope to see it in action soon. Maybe even this fall!

Also, "back of the line" doesn't matter, because typically, these will also be the last PNM's to leave the party, as well.

I can't imagine not doing that. Say you have 1500 PNMs and have to cut 70% after first parties. Can you imagine what that cut session after first parties would be like if you hadn't pre-cut?:eek:

At most campuses, there aren't that many women you have to cut for grades (the easy part) so somehow you have to figure out how to select the rest. Some sororities have their alums in the big cities handle a lot of it.

I have to say RFM on our campus has been helpful in growing the community. We would always hover around total of 70 then after RFM was implemented our community now hovers over 100. That even includes adding a new 2 new sororities!!

Fall semester, Chapters at Miami Univ (Ohio) host open houses and sprite dates in their suites so that freshman and sisters can meet each other prior to the FR during winter break.

I have stated in this thread earlier that I like RFM and I think for the most part it has done what it was supposed to do. I also agree with the issue of having to cut heavily after a 20 minute round. Chapters release a lot of outstanding women in that first cut because it is all about first impressions when you talk to some one for 5 minutes or less. The last one in isn't always the last one out. I find that the girls who have a really good first round are more the "party" girls who have very good social skills. If you are shy or reserved first round can kill you.

The other part of RFM that I think is misleading is Campuses that don't allow PNM's to suicide (SIP). I might be wrong but it seems that more girls have the scenario with one or two Chapters they love and a second or third they can not see themselves in. Single intentional preference when allowed, I believe, helps not only the girls, but the Chapter. I know of more then one Chapter that makes quota on paper but only has half the New Member class show up. That is a no win for every one involved. Either way the Chapter probably isn't going to make quota and that is a problem.