Bama recruitment in the "off season"
 

It has come to my attention, that the chapters at Alabama begin to gather information on the next class of PNM's immediately after fall rush. Such as legacy introduction forms, recomendations, and general information from upperclassmen friends and family. Is this true to anyone's knowledge?
Shoud PNM's be sending info in preparation for winter events and April preview weekend? How does this impact out-of -state PNM's?
Any information and suggestions would be helpful.

The most important thing for a High School senior to do is to enjoyr her senior year and concentrate on her grades and volunteer work.

And participate in pre-rush activities

Most members are focused on football season - i.e. tomorrow's game against VA Tech.

So how do girls participate in pre-rush activities if they don't have a connection to the chapters? Are all admitted girls invited to all pre-rush events though the office of admissions?
I really appreciate your responses.

They should have their recs sent in the spring before preview weekend so that they might get invites to the individual functions.

I'm not in a sorority nor am affiliated with Alabama Greek-Life.

But I imagine in April or thereabouts there will be some sort of "Greek Week" or something. Make it to that. It's important. It'll give you a good handle on everything.

You need to get in things as soon as they're allowed to be sent in, whenever that start time is. They'll be learning names of everyone during the summer and pinpointing their targets for rush. They have a better idea of their targets for in-state girls, which is why you might want to give the greek office your stuff early.

Sorry for the lane swerving, Bama girls/guys can correct me.

I feel dumb that I didn't realize this before. I always assumed that the girls invited to early events were invited because they knew active undergraduate members.

The idea that PNMs can also be invited because of recs makes the whole thing more inclusive than I thought.

It still might put girls without any Greek connections who can't find recs at a disadvantage, but if we're honest, they're at a disadvantage at Bama anyway.

My daughter is a jr. this year at Bama---I can safely say that recs are NOT sent in until right after graduation in May or in early June. There is no need to send recs for the Greek weekend in the Spring. And....there are quite a few out-of-state girls that get bids and pledge. In-state girls do have somewhat of an advantage regarding invitations to teas in various cities around the state given by most all of the houses. However, Panhellenic Weekend is advertised and information is readily available on the website. My daughter did NOT attend Pan. Weekend because it was during Spring Break of her sr. year in high school and we opted for time at the beach. I do believe the weekend is becoming more and more popular and gives the PNMs and their parents a great overview of Greek Life (they tour all the houses, etc.) at Bama.

Weighing in here until Zillini (the authority) can post...a number of girls get invitations to spend a night or a weekend at the house, and sometimes more than one house. I got the impression it was mostly girls who had buddies in the house. Personally....my daughter never got an invitation but I wouldn't have let her go. After all...I was a college student myself, albeit a thousand years ago. :p

I only said spring because I've been asked by many a PNM to help them get recs in the spring so they would be in early. I was at Bama a hundred years before AnchorAlumna (1960's) so things were somewhat different in my day but I still had to have the recs in.

*** Please Note: The following is all approved by Alabama Panhellenic. It is NOT considered "dirty rushing". For more specifics on all of these, particularly Panhellenic Preview Weekend, check out Alabama's Recruitment Rulebook (last revised 2008, so don't be confused by the title there) on the UA Greek Website under Policies.



Spring Teas: Starting in mid to late fall, Recruitment teams ask members (older and recently initiated) and alumnae to turn in names and addresses of HS seniors attending the University the following year. Actual Recs shouldn't be sent until late spring or summer, but alumnae can give contact info to a Chapter for these events. These are then used as invitation lists to Spring Teas.

These Teas are hosted by alumnae with actives and pre-PNMs invited. They are usually held in a major urban/central locations, i.e. Alabama (Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa), Georgia (often Atlanta), Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida. The number and locations depend on how active/willing the alumnae are. Teas typically start around Christmas through the end of the spring semester when the "No contact" period starts (often May 1).

Panhellenic Preview Weekend: This is held around the first weekend in April. Invitations are mailed by Panhellenic to all female students who have already been accepted by the University. There is then a sign up on the UA Greek Life website to accept the invitation.

On the Friday night most Chapters hold invitational "Meet 'n Greets". Many pre-PNMs attend more than one. On Saturday there are Panhellenic presentations on what to expect in Recruitment as well as the Greek system as a whole. There is also a presentation for parents. Starting last year each Chapter set up a table at this main event with actives present to field questions and provide financial obligation info.

A tour of all Chapters is held afterwards. Each Chapter is allowed a certain number of actives in their house to meet and field questions from pre-PNMs and parents. Another social event may be hosted that evening by the Chapter provided there is no alcohol or men invited, but these are less common.

Active members can invite pre-PNMs to stay with them for this weekend. Each Chapter must turn in a list of those pre-PNMs and the actives they are staying with. Pre-PNMs cannot stay in a Chapter house.

FYI - Last year Preview Weekend and a Greek BBQ/block party (Saturday) were scheduled the same weekend. It went over very well and I suspect a similar schedule will be adopted this year.


How can a PNM get on a Chapter's radar to be invited to these Spring Teas or Meet 'n Greets?

- Just like with finding Rec writers, start reaching out to as many Greek people you can. Look for Greek alumnae you know in all areas of life and girls you know from HS that went Greek. While it is better if they attend(ed) Bama (mostly because they know about this spring process), it is not necessary. Any alumna or active can forward contact info to a Chapter.

- Last year was the inaugural year of Crimson Tidings. I am not sure if a date has been set for this year yet, but it should be just prior to or shortly after Thanksgiving (due to finals being right around the corner.) This is a Panhellenic and IFC wide event supported by the University Administration. (NPHC was invited but did not participate.) Promos were sent (hard copies and emails) to Greek and University alumnae, identified pre-PNMs, High Schools, ads were placed in newspapers, etc.

Crimson Tidings is a walking tour of all Chapter houses to see them decorated for Christmas. Anyone can attend who is interested and buys a ticket (maybe $10 per?). All proceeds are divided amongst the participating Chapters for their I/natl philanthropy. Actives are present in each house and this is a good time for pre-PNMs to meet them.

- Most incoming freshmen visit/tour a campus. Contact Panhellenic or alumnae you know to try to set up a tour of sorority houses. Often times they can set this up and you can meet some members.


Will it hurt a PNM's chances if she doesn't attend/get invited to these events?

Maybe yes, maybe no. The purpose of all these are to let the actives get to know PNMs and vice versa. This way decisions aren't based only on the stressful and ridiculously short 15 minutes of an Open House party (and for the Chapters Recs, resumes, and grades). Decisions can be made more accurately based on personality and "fit".

Many PNMs who do not attend any of these functions and weren't on anyone's "radar" still receive bids to great Chapters. They have sparkling personalities that shine through in the limited time of Formal Recruitment, have great resumes, GPAs, Recs, etc.

On the flip side, I know of many PNMs that actives felt based on knowing them from the Spring function(s) would not be a good fit. PNMs need to remember these spring activities are part of Recruitment. You need to show your best side at all times. This is especially true if invited to spend Panhellenic Preview Weekend with an active. I've heard some real horror stories about PNM antics on these visits.

Point being, just because someone is invited/attended spring events is not a guarantee of getting a bid or even not getting released early in the process.




I am honored.

Do you want to know why the SEC schools Greek systems are so big? THIS. I'm astounded reading this. Every girl who has any interest in joining a sorority must be jumping out of her skin by the time recruitment actually starts. Now, how do we get the Big 10 schools to take heed?

Of course, I can see a lot of potential for dirty rushing, and I can also see 17 year old girls misinterpreting a get-to-know-you invitation as an early invitation for membership, but I'm sure the members and alums take care to minimize this. Otherwise this board wouldn't have several complaints; they'd have hundreds.

And why don't you have every sorority represented on your campuses? It sure sounds like you could absorb them.

It definitely isn't for the faint of heart!

Great post, Zillini...thanks for all that you do!

What for????? I am assuming this remark comes because your school does not have deferred recruitment.

At my school and I would never want it that way. Big 10 schools are different, period! And remember, not every Big 10 school has fall recruitment, so what would be the point?

I won't speak for the other 10 universities, but I would really get on my soap box if Panhellenic did something like this because. Frankly, we don't see the "ABC girls are all blonde and from Metro Center and the poor EFG girls are sociallly awkward and from Podunkville". Girls from out of state have an equal chance of pledging the way it is. Also, with deferred recruitment, PNMs have three months to meet students, line up their recs (which are not needed) and attend "meet the Greek" events.

If OSU with its 52,000 students had greater than 5% in the Greek System, one of two things would happen.

1. Students would go bidless where now a bid is nearly guaranteed to anyone who keeps an open mind (many houses don't take quota, nor are they at total)

2. The Greek System would need to expand and there is no physical space to do so. Many of the houses of chapters that have left campus have been sold and converted to apartments and are now a wreck (SDT and Phi Mu come to mind) or purchased by a Fraternity and smell of beer (old ADPi and ZTA houses). Apartment owners won't sell back to the Greek system because they have been salivating for property on 15th for decades.

I have said this before and I'll say it again, many of the schools in the Big 10 are in large metro areas where students don't need the Greek system to find something to do. Granted, your school may not be in that category, but don't assume the entire Big 10 is in your shoes.

I can't speak for the other Big 10 schools, but Greek Life at OSU is pretty laid back and that is the way we like it. Students don't get stressed out about not getting into the "right" house, Sophomores/Juniors can easily get into solid chapters and friendships are made before recruitment and last throughout your four years.

Is there dirty rushing? Absolutely. Does it happen in every house? No.

I love the system at DePauw. First semester Freshman are permitted to attend lunch one time in each chapter. I'm not sure how they schedule it, but it gives all girls an equal chance of getting to know the chapter before recruitment. Besides the group house tours, this is the only time PNMs can go into a house during the first semester.

Maybe, instead of suggesting that 'the Big 10 take heed', suggest they move recruitment to spring at your school.

ETA...when I went through "rush", we did not have deferred recruitment and I would rather have had it deferred. Right now, I work with a local chapter and will help at Pref next Saturday and it's just too complicated having it so soon.

Sounds like someone is angry.

That's actually rather foolish.

The Big 10 average city size is approximately (and this is a pretty rough estimation 189,000.) The SEC average city size is only 155,000.

I guess a tiny town the size of 34,000 reallllly makes a different.

I view Bama's spring Recruitment events as comparable to a campus that has deferred Recruitment in the spring. Presumably those sororities are using the fall months to get to know pre-PNMs and vice versa so that educated decisions can be made during actual Recruitment. Bama is doing this too, except it occurs in the spring with HS seniors since Recruitment takes place before classes start in August.

The SEC has a heritage and so does the Big 10. Why would someone make a blanket statement that the Big 10 should follow what works in the south? They are different cultures and that is why we love where we went to school.

If a girl went to an OSU or UofM football game in a Lily Pullitzer dress, she might get stares, but not in a good way. Likewise, if I showed up at a Bama game in my game-day gear (football jersey, shorts and Mardi Gras beads), they would run me out of town. You won't see me in a sundress at a football game and I would never tell a Bama lady to wear what I would to game day.

Should I make the blanket statement that Iowa should change to Spring Recruitment? Nope! The OP can complain all she wants and live vicariously through the SEC, because it's doubtful her Panhellenic is going to do something because an alumni read something on Greek Chat that she thought was a good idea.

Speaking of football, I have a Bama game to watch.

Would you look at Northwestern as Evanston or Chicago? Yes, if you are using the 74,000 population, I can see where you get your numbers. Evanston is in Cook County, hence Chicago;

• Cook County = Chicago = 2.8 million people.
• Columbus > 3/4 million
• Madison: 1/4 million
• Ann Arbor is less than one hour from Detroit
• Iowa City - You win; it's not a metro area.

You do the math.

I didn't mean to touch a nerve. What I was getting at is by having all of these early events the southern schools are building interest and enthusiasm in sorority life. I don't see it as a way to weed out girls or make it scary. I think it must make girls excited to be part of it.

But I don't accept the fact that Greek systems are only good in small cities and towns. Raleigh-Durham isn't exactly waiting for cable tv these days, as an example.

I understand that Greek systems in the Midwest are not the same as those in the South, but a good marketing plan is a good marketing plan. I think there must be some way to adapt this process of informational parties in the spring of a girl's senior year of high school while she's talking with the other girls who are also making their plans for next fall.

Again, I apologize for offending anyone.

Thanks to Zillini, Anchor Alumna, and everyone else for your helpful post. D and I plan on attending the april preview, and learning more. I have friends and family ready to write recs when needed for all but 2-3 houses. Need to find some Phi Mu and AXO friends. AXO doesn't have Ky chapters so that may be hard.
The house where my daughter is a legacy (my Mom), posted on Facebook that they are identifying class of 2010 girls now. So I wanted to make sure we had the correct timetable for recrutiment events and sending recs.
Thanks again,

If every football team and playing style was that of the SEC it wouldn't be nearly as exciting. Same with sorority recruitment, kinda. I like hearing about different types of recruitment, but I wouldn't change a thing about how I joined and how members are joining my chapter now.

And, uhh... I like Pitt. IDK.

Good luck with things catfan.

The enthusiasm is already there. They do these events because they have a zillion Greek alum parents and prospective members contacting them every day asking for it.

A good comparison: department stores in Pittsburgh don't sell Steelers gear to "build enthusiasm" for the team. They sell it because people are already psychotically excited about the team and they'll make beaucoup bucks. This is simply giving the people what they want.

Ask your Greek friends if they know a Phi Mu or an AXO...quite often Greeks know other Greeks. Good luck!

I think it helps perpetuate things though, and it does channel the interest. It feeds it, rather than just reflecting it.

I mean think it through:
contrast the level of administrative support you'd have to have to pull off the Bama pre-rush stuff with levels at places where Greek Life struggles.

At schools where there are different, and yet self-sustaining traditions, I think differences among campuses is one of the strengths of Greek life.

But if participation is waning or has waned in the past, maybe looking at what other schools has value. (I'm not saying that everyone should aspire to be like the SEC by any stretch because it has its drawbacks too.)

And in a kind of unrelated point, it seems to me that at least half of SEC schools are either in pretty decent sized metro areas or are within an hour of one. I mention this because the size of the metro area being used to explain interest in Greek Life might not go as far as just looking at what role Greek Life typically plays in campus life, regardless of the size of the city. Sure, having nothing else to do probably makes people more interested in joining, but not every SEC school is in a town like Starkville.

ETA: neither of these schools is SEC, but Georgia Tech, which you probably know is in Atlanta, is about 25% Greek and Emory, which is technically in Decatur, is about 30% Greek.

The administration at Georgia Tech is very supportive of the greek system. In fact, they used to run a PSA on the radio narrated by their dean of students touting the greek system at Tech and how fraternity and sorority members had higher grades, better graduation rates and long term financial contact with the Institute as alumni than unaffiliated students.

One thing that's different with my kids and their friends (living in a big city as opposed to a college town) is that more social life actually happens on campus because it's not so easy to "go out" in Atlanta as it is in Athens where everybody has a fake.

So I really don't know if the argument that you don't need to be greek if your campus is in a large city and there are other things to do really holds true or not. Just an observation.

alright what if youll be a sophmore? (not in a sorority) can you still attend panhellenic weekend?

Oh, they probably have fakes in Atlanta too, they just don't work at the "good" bars - my son has had 2 fake id's confiscated on 6th Street in 2 years, consequently he spent most of his time partying at the fraternity house. Now that he's 21, he's crawling the bars with his "of age" buddies.

Austin- 656,562 souls, percentage of Greeks at UT - 11% (according to Wikipedia); whereas Dallas - 2,412,827 souls, percentage of Greeks at SMU - 30%.

I think it is the culture of the university that dictates the size of, and enthusiasm for being a part of, Greeklife.

Yes and I would highly encourage it!