I personally do not have an issue with PNM's "suiciding", particularly in a situation like this where she knew she wouldn't be happy. How many times have we told new members who came to GC and complained about how much they dislike their group that they might as well depledge and give up that spot to someone who would be a good and appreciative sister? I am not a fan of pressuring girls not to suicide.

I do have an issue with girls who cut groups very early on and don't give them a chance, i.e. maximizing their options. No one should be forced to join a group they don't want to be a part of, but they should give the groups a fair chance.

Some campuses will not give a bid to a girl who has suicide. Either the computer program kicks her out or this policy has been enacted for certain reasons (usually abuse of the system).

If this is the case w/ SY's PNM, she should put down 1) her first choice 2) a group or 2 who dropped her right away and that she doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of joining. This way if she doesn't match with her first choice, she will be "free" and not bound to any group.

There's a difference between "they're OK" and "I would rather live on an iceberg and be eaten by polar bears than join this group." If it's #2, then by NO circumstances should you EVER put it on your bid card...no matter what anyone says.

If the chapter really, really wanted Polly PNM, she would be on their first bid list. If Polly put ABC first and ABC had her on the first bid list then there would be a match. If ABC had her somewhere near the top of the second bid list, it is possible that ABC made quota before they got to Polly's name. That may be a reason she got a bid from XYZ as XYZ was second on her list. The only way that I can see ABC having an opening later is that they had a drop on bid day or they have a place or two to reach total. It happens.

I was told never to suicide, but I did. The question I tell PNMs to ask themselves is "Would I really rather not be Greek than not join this sorority?" If the answer is yes, then it's time to suicide... but usually, the answer is no.

The biggest problem here is that all of these calculations are not something that PNMs know. They don't think it would be better to pick a chapter that dropped them, even though it's beating the system.

Things need to be made straight forward.

Ok I was just looking into this. . . at the university I deal with . . . ics does not allow "ranking" beyond the parties that you attend. (for example you go to ABC and XYZ on pref and you only want ABC then you must put both sororities down to be eligable for "quota additions" or "snap bidding" . . . in case you are not on ABC's first list [however if you suicide and you arent on ABC's first list then that is IT! NOTHING!])

BUT, what I was thinking (and someone else might have already said this) is if I was a pnm, and I knew what I know now, I would put ABC first and then some other sorority that I didn't attend their pref night second. (cause if you don't go to someones pref then you aren't anywhere on their bid list) Then you aren't "suiciding" so, you are eligable for another sorority or ABC if they get to your ranking. I don't think the GAMMA CHI's can say that but at least that would not leave the pnm in a sorority that that think they HATE and that leaves them open to CR's. And that also doesn't leave a spot in XYZ for a girl that wants them . . . when the pnm doesn't "run".

I hope that made sense.

But how do you know which schools have systems that "spit out" a suicide card? The schools certainly don't advertise this. I would think it would be pretty gutsy of a PNM to put a GLO on their pref sheet that didn't invite them back in round one. Could that work against them too?

It's not gutsy because no one sees the bid card except the rush counselors or the Greek advisor and they're supposed to keep everything secret.

I'm not sure which programs do this but if you are filling out a computerized sheet rather than something matched by hand it might be a better safe than sorry bet.

Well, hopefully it won't be an issue when my daughter rushes this fall!