Quota is not set using the last three year's hard numbers. It is set using an average of the percentages from the last three years. The percentages are then used to set target release numbers, size of flex list, and quota range. Thus, an abnormally large or small recruitment can still be managed.

Oh OK, that makes more sense. I think. So in other words, if 50% of 300 rushees at a 10 sorority school signed bid cards in 2008, and quota was 15, then even if there are only 200 rushees the next year, you're also going to assume only 100 of them will sign cards and quota will be 10. (Sorry if all the numbers are confusing) IMO that is assuming a lot.

I don't know, I just think quota should be what is happening THAT YEAR, period. Plus if you're using release figures, it should be weeding out the people who wanted ABC and only ABC. In other words, IMO again, using release figures correctly should kind of be eliminating the need for quotas at all. The girls should be over their unrealistic expectations and know pretty much where they are ending up by pref. And the sororities should have gotten rid of the girls they have no intention of bidding.

Because I'm lazy :)

That is close to what happens, but not exactly. I misspoke, what is set by those percentages is “quota range.” Quota range is set after the PNMs preferences have been entered into the computer. PNMs that withdraw, whether before or after preference parties, are not considered. The computer is also able to account for the choices of the PNMs. The computer “knows” that of the PNMs that attended ABC 50% ranked it first, 30% ranked it second, and 18% ranked it third; 90% of those at DEF ranked it first, 10% ranked it second and none ranked it third; and 75% of those at GHI ranked it first, 20% ranked it second and 4% ranked it third; etc… This is why the RFM allows for different chapters to invite back different numbers of PNMs. A chapter that traditionally has 90% of PNMs listing it first on their preference cards will not need as many attending its preference round to make quota. There is, however, some “padding” built into the figures. In theory, if XYZ has 100% returns every round and 100% of PNMs list XYZ first on their preference card, that chapter would have to cut down to projected quota the first invitational round. In actuality, this is not what happens. The system takes into account the possibility that a chapter will have a less or more successful recruitment and allows for that with flex lists.

So, in your example, the quota range would be set using the last three years’ average percentages. For ease, let’s say that is 50% (50% in 2008, 53% in 2007, and 47% in 2006, but again that is assuming the same number of PNMs each year). Now, if a PNM declines to attend preference round or declines to sign a preference card, she will not be considered in the quota range (for ease let’s say 20 PNMs withdraw prior to signing their preference card). The chapters on this campus would likely be told that quota range is 9-18. They would have 9 PNMs on their first bid list in alphabetical order and the remainder in preferential order on a second list. Thus, if this campus’s placement rate increased, even dramatically, RFM would make it possible to place every PNM who maximized her options.

With RFM, quota range is what is happening that year. It simply uses the prior three years as statistically instructive to structure invitations, flex lists, and quota range.

I’m sorry if this isn’t very clear. It can be a confusing thing to explain, but I’m always happy to try.

Yes, but every time they come in with the recommended releases we always have a heart attack and wonder how it will play out. We haven't been disappointed yet, but it makes us question the numbers:)

I felt the exact same way at first. I fought it and fought it because I was scared to death of having to release too many PNMs. But then we implemented it, and now after four years of it, the campus I'm referring to is stronger than ever, and ALL the chapters are flourishing instead of just a couple. My chapter still worries about the carry figures sometimes, and I have to explain the background of how numbers are determined, but it always works perfectly and they are always very happy with their new members.

I hope your campus is utilizing Priority ranking and Flex Lists?? (Forgive me if you stated this earlier - I didn't re-read the whole thread.) Flex Lists are a great "safety net" just in case you have an off year and need a few extra PNMs in your parties.

Yep, we use the flex list which we used to have to do by hand. This year we are using a computer program for all the invitational list plus the flex and it is so much easier.