Enna, any updates on COB???

Sure, I think the switch would be way easier on campuses that are already used to doing informal/COB. It would be very hard if you always got quota/ceiling with formal and had never rushed informally - you wouldn't know how to do it.

I just think about my campus where formal has been getting less and less popular every year. (Quota is down as is the number of chapters even coming close to getting quota.) Every single chapter, even the big ones, do informal, but there's no coordination. If you're a rushee - and you're not dead set on one chapter - you have no idea when any chapter will have rush. If you like two chapters, only one will hold informal, so you have to decide, well, do I rush this one now, or wait until the other chapter does theirs in a few months? A system like this could make it lots easier.

But on a big Southern campus with a tradition of strong formal rush, I'm not so sure how they'd take to it! Maybe in my system I'd let schools who wanted to try it as a pilot program for a while first.

Redesign of rush
 

FuzzieAlum, I'm a strong advocate of that system, mainly because that's how rush has always worked at NYU, with very successful results. Girls begin rush with "Round Robin" where there is a tour of all the sororities on campus, an overview of what each organization stands for, and a brief introduction to all the sisters. After that, it's up to the individual. A sorority's "personality" shines through in the widely varied array of rush events.---in fact, the student usually knows right away just from reading the event flyers what each sorority is about. Plus, orgs have no restrictions on numbers of new members. There have rarely been any huge gaps between members from one org to the next, and when there is one sorority with a small pledge class one semester, the next it will shoot up. This is a GREAT system because you know that the girls who return to your events are truly interested in joining, and every org ends up getting the best girls for their house. Alas, this year it's different. With a new national org colonizing(making a total of 3 NPC orgs), our campus is now required to have a Panhellenic Council here. This is looking like disaster for NYU greeklife, because we are so different from other colleges. The student body is very scattered and made up of very independent people. People know what they want, and already have 20 other things going on. And I dunno how it is at other institutions but here there is no coordination whatsoever regarding scheduling and class times. One person will have classes from 10-5, another will have then from 4-9pm. Girls here just don't have the time or the patience to go through the rush that say, a heavily greek-influenced Southern school requires. So I dunno, I hope it won't be that bad, but I'm very worried. But my point is, from what I've learned here about Panhel rush, it seems to commercialize greek life too much for my taste...of course I have a biased opinion. What do you guys think?

Fuzzie~

The type of system your talking about is called "Structured Informal Recruitment". The last time my school had it was Spring 98. That's when I joined.

There was an informational Panhellenic night where you could meet a handful of girls from each chapter. Then you were given a schedule of all the events. The only thing I disliked about is that the Pref nights weren't cooridinated that well. I got three invites but decided to decline Theta because I liked SK better and their parties were at the same time.

The reason my school held Structured Informal is because all the chapters were below total. In fall 98 they lowered total and that meant only a few houses need to do cob let alone informal in the spring.

Structured Informal is a great system and should definitely be used if all houses are below total.

Cloud9, I see you point. I went through informal rush as a first semester freshman and selected which sororities to rush. I went through formal rush as a sister four times. First round with seven sororities was tiring. With more sororities it must be exhausting. With formal rush and fewer sororities, NYU shouldn't have that problem. Panhel should make sure that NYU has parties at times when there would not be a class scheduling conflict such as on the weekend.

I think part of the job of panhel is to advertize and promote greeklife not 'commercialize' it. The benefit is that more women might show up for rush than would without panhel's involvement.

Fuzziealum
I think you have a valid argument. I have always thought the guy's rush looked more fun than the women's. Maybe if we didn't herd the women in big groups of 40-75 around the campus then they wouldn't develop herd mentality. They end up having hours of free time together and the group mentality can take hold. Even if you like one of the less glamorous houses are you going to tell the herd? Probably not. You are going to sit there and listen to the rumors and keep your mouth shut. And then you are not going to want to wear those greek letters around on campus. So instead of pledging those houses when the glamous ones drop you, you are going to drop out of rush instead. Maybe we have created the very problem we want to fix.

I only know about Panhellenic Formal Recruitment and nothing else for a small school with a large greek system. The thing with NPC is that it has to apply its rules to a wide number of colleges all sizes and shapes, while respecting the schools greek life, the individual NPC group and take into consideration any locals that may be at the college. The rules set by NPC (as i understand it) are blanket rules to cover the average college/greek life system.

really the only people who can change this system is NPC delegates. the only way you can let them know how you feel is to write them or talk to them. they can change the rules in the "green book".

As for people saying that NPC "commercializes" recruitment, IMHO without NPC, IFC, and NPHC greek life would most likely not exsist even on the local level. So without NPC's support and promotion, in essence, you would not have a sisterhood. And there are many advantages to having NPC, IFC, or NPHC on your campus, such as: they pay an annual fee to your school, thereby helping the institution financially, they have rules, guidelines and regualtions that keep orgs. from going insane and hazing people to death (and ya can't say it doesn't happen cuz it does, but if NPC weren't there, I believe it would be more prevelent), and they support the community by helping individual chapters with philanthropic charities.

My only beef with rush/recruitment (and can we please just call it rush so we don't have to type as much!) is that i don't believe a PNM should be forced to go to a house she doesn't like after 1st round. If there are 6 houses on campus, and she only really likes 1 of them and is invited back to all, and she drops all but 1, thats her fault if she doesn't get a bid. but then again, i also believe in ISPing too.

but thats just my 0.2 cents.

Yeah Fuzzie's idea sounds very similar to what I went through spring semester last year. We had open house... where you learned the rules.... and you met each org. Each org. then had a party you could go to every night for three days. You chose which ones to attend or not attend and they could be off campus. My chapter went to dinner one night, did a philanthropy of card making combined with movie night, and an ice cream party. It was a lot more relaxed, and def. let the chapter's personality show through a little more because you were hanging out with these woman in the way you would if you were part of the sisterhood already, going out to dinner, hanging out watching videos etc. There was no bidmatching or invitation round, and at the end of the week girls could receive bids from multiple organizations, which made it VERY hard sometimes on PNMs. NPC still had the no contact rules in place as well as no bids, or promise of a bid before bid day... ( I know my friend went through something similar but orgs. could give bids before the end of the week.) I'm still not convinced about how well a system like this would work at a large greek school though. The idea of formal and the way it's set up is to keep all the NPC sororities alive by letting each get at least some members. If it was more every org. for themselves, some of the "unpopular" houses might cease to exist, because girls would just go to "the one" everyone wants, and if they got dropped never think about joining another house.

mmm ...
 

That's just what I was wondering?!?

Jen, any word on who is having COB events at USC?? Please keep us posted - we can't wait to hear how your year turns out :)

- Jen :)

Hmmm...here is what I know....
As most of you know, I went ADPi at USC and although I really wish Enna would have been in my pledge class, I do think that there is a chance that we will be doing COB, and maybe she can join through that. My pledge class is 43 and I know some of the larger houses had at least up to 55, so quota is right around in the mid to high 50's.

From what I have heard, there really arent that many COB events but occasionally a spring informal rush is held if the houses so desire. However, the last few years spring rush has not been held.

Also, Enna, many of the houses at SC are allowed to take "free juniors" meaning that they can take a certain number of junior girls that do not count towards quota to replace girls that transfered or left or whatever. So maybe, if you could get up the energy, rushing as a junior might be a little easier than as a sophomore.

And as for the discussions over "the system" apparently 85% of girls at USC are offered bids. It is awful that a girl like Enna fell through the cracks this time, but she is a great person and if she decides she still wants to go greek, I think she would make a good member of any house.

Chloe, find out for sure if your chapter is doing COB; then find Enna on campus and make sure she attends!

Fuzziealum
What you propose is called Modified Forms of Recruitment and has been on the NPC table for a while now. Minnesota had been using the system but went back to a more 'traditional' system. My own undergrad RPI went to it and I need to tell you its a disaster. Recruitment is three almost four weeks long and at a highly rigorous academic school. None of the members or pnm's can get any real schoolwork done for a month! Imagine having four weeks of formal recruitment and that's how my chapter members feel. Just because the environment is more casual for the pnm's does not mean less effort or prep on the chapter's part.

RPI is scaling back this year its only two weeks.

It may work on some campuses but the two I have seen it on it has not worked.

Well I went thru rush at a large school and am now an advisor at a small one. I still believe formal recuitment can work and there does need to be quota. Why? To have a strong Panhellenic, each member group needs to be strong too. If you don't have some restictions on numbers, that can't happen.

But when I went thru at my university, we had the right to refuse to go to any party we didn't want to and not be hassled about it. Sure, the counselors tried to encourage us to go to as any as possible but we were allowed to make up our own mind. Now, this rule about having to go wherever you're invited just makes for bad feelings when you're forced somewhere you don't want to be. Many women have no clue what to do during he process and how to react. Maybe the solution is that first semester freshman can't pledge and formal rush should take place in the Spring. I have helped on a campus where this happens and the women are ready to go thru it all and find the right place for them.

COB --?
 

Still haven't heard anything *official* about COB, except for what Chloe has said. My rho chi never called me back, but I've been talking to a few of my friends who are in ADPi, and I let them know that I'm still interested. Right now, I think telling them that I'm around is vital to any chances of COBing.

I don't think I'll do formal recruitment again, even if the "free juniors" thing is applicable. It was just too stressful, especially since the fall is such a busy time for me. However, if ADPi has spring rush, then I'd be up for it. And as soon as I hear anything about COB events, then I'll definitely attend those.

But like I said in a previous post, I'm not too worried about it right now. Football season is in full swing, my classes are getting crazy, and I need to go grocery shopping for a big potluck that I'm holding on Sunday. ;) So, I'm just being a normal college student.

BTW, did I mention that GCers are great? Because you are! :)

~Jen

Jen, you are TOO COOL!!!

Good luck with whatever you do, and have a great time with your potluck. Keep us posted!!! :)

Your attitude is amazing! I love it! Enjoy yourself and make the most out of college because the time really flies!

I haven't read the responses yet so forgive me if I repeat something, but on big campuses there is usually a large house to pay for. Fraternities on my campus had different sized houses-some had fancy ones (the larger fraternities) and some had small regular houses. We had a sorority row and all the sororities had huge houses-if you only have 30-40 women in your chapter that is not going to pay the rent and there is no way in hell you will be competitive with the larger chapters that have 140 women. It depends on the campus but on mine you could not just be the *smaller* house and survive. i think comparing fraternities to sororities at least on my campus is like comparing apples to oranges-you just can't say well we have 20 frats why can't we have 20 sororities and why can;t some of them be small and some be large.

Re: Redesign of rush
 

That is why we have rush before school starts-that is how we make the time.

Back on the topic of ENNA'S Recruitment...
 

Enna/Jen, I think that you should definitely continue to try to get in touch with your Rho Chi or another Rho Chi if that is possible. There is no reason why you can't try this semster if the sororities are having COB. You have absolutely nothing to lose. I continue to wish you the best!!! :D

Enna, we're so proud of you for being so strong and continuing to look into Greek Life after a hectic Structured Recruitment experience! Are you considering COBing anyone other than ADPi?

Other COB possibilities...
 

ADPi is up there right now, but so is Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Chi Omega. I know I really liked those three sororities, and my rho chi said that all of them made just below quota. I'm definitely keeping my options open here.

About COB info - I think I'm just going to call the Panhellenic Office on Monday. My rho chi still hasn't gotten back to me. I don't know if she forgot about me or just couldn't find out any information and is waiting until she knows. I'm thinking it's the latter, especially because she seemed so concerned about my situation.

Absolutely call the Panhellenic office Monday. You have three fabulous choices, Enna. You could close your eyes and point to pick one, and you couldn't go wrong.

Enna, definitely call the Panhel office, but remember that sometimes they won't tell you that certain chapters are COBing if they are very close to ceiling. This is because those spots are usually filled up quickly by friends of sisters and NMs. If you know any of the NMs of these houses, have them ask their recruitment chairs about COB. Best of luck with COB...it sounds like you'd be an awesome addition to any of these chapters.

I know that on my campus, calling/e-mailing the membership directors of the individual sororities would be perfectly acceptable.

Jen,
I'm so glad that you're contacting Panhellenic, I think other GCers would agree with me when I say that you have an wonderfully open-hearted and accepting personality. Your friends are lucky people. And any chapter would be fortunate to count you among their sisters.
Good luck with Football season!
violets

COB at USC
 

I didn't spend much time at AChiO this rush, but I have friends from my rush group who have gone there and are thrilled to be there. I know my rho chi was from there and she was just the most stunning girl and so I think you have a great selection.

As for the other two, I loved the girls at ADPi, and when I went through the unity days, while I loved all the houses and all the girls, the girls at ADPi seemed like the most sincere and geniune. I loved them, and they were so great to me.

Lastly, Gamma Phi, is a fantastic house. They went out of their way to be nice to me, and I really felt welcomed there. I haven't seen any of the actives since rush ended, but I hope to because there are so many girls in that house that I would love to stay friends with.

You have three wonderful choices and wish you the best of luck. I'm so sorry that you were cut, but just like everyone else has said - you have a great attitude and sound like a great girl. Let us know how COB is going. I don't think my house is doing any unfortunetely. I think Quota was 54 at USC this fall, and we took 60!

I still don't know how this all works though, and don't see why girls don't get bids if some houses take 60 and others 43?? I think it's all too complicated, but wish you the best of luck. If you need anything please PM me, because I'm always around for you.

Honey

p.s. I just rushed as a Junior, and found the girls were very open to me!! So don't dismiss it just yet. But please let me know about COB, and hound your Rho Chi!! :)

get on that phone....
 

sweetie...call panhellenic as quickly as you can monday to find out what's going on. then, go for it. you are too good to not battle through this if possible. plus a heck of a flag, which we know.
lol
:D

Good luck with the Panhellenic office, Enna! I can't wait to hear what happens next!

" but so is Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Chi Omega. I know I really liked those three sororities, and my rho chi said that all of them made just below quota. "

I know they'd LOVE to have you! i think COB is a great idea since rush is such a hectic and emotional time. ( and alittle BS too!)
So, best wishes for COB!
i cant wait to hear how it goes!
have u met any one named Victoria? :)
Love
Ashley

Enna, Please come back and give us an update!

Yes, I know we'd love to hear from you and see how your semester is going. I'm sure you're giving 'em hell at half time!
Go FLAGS!!!
violets

hi
 

bumpty ...bumpty...boo
i pm'd you.
:)

epilogue
 

i happen to know the COB process didnt work out for her either....




did you guys ever think that, regardless of your good intentions, telling her to keep thrusting herself in front of the USC recruitment firing squad was actually BAD advice?


i rushed the same year as she did, so i had no concrete means of helping her....
but even if i had been able to try... i now know that rush here is RUTHLESS.

likely my hands would have been tied.




(besides, contrary to what others have said, gamma phi does not C-O-B.)

Re: epilogue
 

There are too many overzealous rush fanatics who like to blow sunshine up a PNMs ass. I'm serious.

I don't know what's more appalling -- the sunshine committee or the fact that they were getting excited about a psycho PNM.

Don't know if you searched through dnagirl's 12 posts, but she ended up forming her own sorority--ODB. RIP ODB.

Every year during rush it's the same -- the same people will keep on encouraging a rejected PNM to keep going. At first it was "you could always COB". Now some people are friggin ridiculous when they suggest "you could always AI". :rolleyes:

It's so easy to blow sunshine up the ass, but unless they're 100% familiar with the campus (and I know at least 3 GCers here are familiar with USC rush as current/former advisors), then everyone else should just shut the fcuk up.

ditto OTW.

Look, if you did not go to the school, or have a good friend who did, you have NO IDEA what the rush process is.

USC is EXTREMELY competitive by any standards. People who rush again and again are not exactly looked at as prime rushees. That's just the way it is.

bumping this thread is like making me live through ODB's death all over again.

I'm sad. :(

I'm sorry, Sheila. I didn't mean to make you sad.

We should observe another moment of silence for the late great ODB.

Ghetto Superstar, that is what you are... Come away with me ... To another place...

In all seriousness, to all PNM's: sorority life is wonderful and fun, and we'd be very happy for you if you all join sororities.

BUT ...

As with all extracurriculars, some people are just a better fit for sororities than others. Before you go flaming me for that statement, also consider that some people are a better fit for the school newspaper, Student Government, the dance team, school choir, etc. All are worthwhile activities where you'll make wonderful friends. But you have to be right for the organization, and it has to be right for YOU. (You'll learn the same is true of a professional career-- if you're not a good fit with the people you work with, it doesn't matter how plush your office and 401K-- you still have to get up every morning and play with people who you view as challenging.)

The POINT: If you've gone into sorority recruitment a couple of times and it hasn't panned out, TRY ANOTHER ACTIVITY! If you're cut multiple times, take it as a sign to give something else a try. There's no shame in not being a member of a sorority. There's nothing wrong with you. Every chapter of every sorority varies. Seriously! (You might want to read the book "Maybe He's Just Not That Into You" and apply it to your sorority situation.)

You're in college to get an education. There are dozens of extracurriculars that will give you a sense of belonging and lifelong sisterhood. You don't need to transfer universities just to get into a sorority, nor do you need to beat yourself up over why you were cut from recruitment.

Throughout your life, you will experience both great joy and great rejection. Allow yourself to experience those full range of emotions and move on. Rejection hurts. But get up and get over it -- you have too many great gifts to share with the world. So get out there and discover your passion-- and be happy! Just quit beating yourself over the head, and badgering us for "why was I cut" scenarios. We don't know. No member of the sorority that cut you is going to tell you. So just have your cry, get over it and get on with your life. Carpe Diem!

ETA: Also take a step back before you go posting on GC. You're probably not a psycho, but somehow can come off that way when you ask the same question 37 times. So to be kind yet firm: Get over it offline or take the speculation to your best friends, who will while away the hours, pouring over your every move at recruitment. WE are not your best friends. We're an online community-- we shouldn't be your primary support.