Capitalist vs. Socialistic
 

I heard once an interesting comparison between NIC Fraternity rush and NPC Sorority Rush.

The Fraternities rush capitalistically, the Sororities rush socialistically.

At most schools I've seen, the fraternities don't care at all (at least not officially) if one of the other fraternities don't manage to rush anyone in a given semester. And I've never seen any situation where fraternities put limits on their own rush to help keep another chapter alive.

OTOH, the sororities make sure that at least at the beginning that all of the sororities get the same number (or close) and only after everyone has gotten to that number is there any opportunity for additional recruitment.

Comments?

Not all guys rushes are the same way.

At Arkansas, ours is set up fairly similar to very strict girls rush. In fact, there is not too much difference between the rules besides guys drink alot more during the formal.

Where I'm going it seems like naraht's description is pretty accurate, at least on the fraternity end. Although, one thing I've noticed when asking my friends in various orgs how their rush went is that they all gave out an identical number of bids. Don't know if that's coincidence or an IFC-mandated thing or what.

Interesting concept.

Although I think DePauw has a quota for fraternity recruitment. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm know that whatever school it is has a Delta Chi chapter.

ETA: It is DePauw : http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=102885

Since I never understood the "we all have to be equal" mentality, I've always advocated for an end to quota and total as artificial limits. It's been my experience that chapters will go through cycles, with some strong years and some weaker years.

But I don't get to make NPC rules.

**whew**

Yes, they will- and that happens regardless of quota or total. But if a chapter is going through a weaker time and there is no quota, the stronger chapters get more women and the weaker get less. Then the chapter doesn't get enough new members and after a period will have to close. You may not feel it as much at a larger university with quotas of 50, 75, or 100 women.

On my campus with a small Greek system of 3 sororities, this was felt very strongly. Total was 50 but average chapter size was 30 and quota was often around 9-10. One chapter got down to 6 members. If they didn't pull through with a strong recruitment, they were going to close the chapter. Another chapter had a rule that they couldn't be on a campus with two or less. They would have had to close, even though they were strong. The last chapter had a rule that they couldn't be the only one on campus. There goes the Greek system.

Because of quota and the sororities supporting each other as Panhellenic sisters, that small chapter pulled through and all three chapters are strong today. I was one of the new members of the 6 person sorority that tripled the membership size. I can't imagine the campus without sororities, nor my college or adult life without it. Is this an extreme example? Perhaps. But it was my experience.

On a lighter note, the capitalist v. socialist comparison is amusing. And not that far off from what I've seen! I've always been amazed with the way sorority recruitment is SO formalized with full out schedules, people there to lead you through the process & walk you from door to door, and requirements on how many parties you can go to and whether or not you can cut.

Fraternities generally are more of a free-for-all, less structured, visit who you want when you want. My husband went through at the same time as me and his recruitment was basically "hey, we played soccer together. Want a bid? Come to the house and we'll give you one." Granted, I think that was pushing things a bit and was likely much more casual than most, but it was a stark difference from what I went through.

And even my school had a fairly casual recruitment compared to others. Now even moreso, they're doing a mix between formal recruitment and COB. Basically wander into whatever chapter room you want and talk to people. No singing, no themes, just hang out and get to know people. So I suppose that's closer to how I picture the men's... but still a bit more structured in that it all happens at the same time & same place.

Interesting and I hope my question as an outsider isn't inappropriate:

In you all's opinion (or based on evidence), which is more conducive to lifetime membership and involvement versus "I'm just here to have fun while at school...because we played soccer together" (:p) and "I WAS an XYZ?"

Hmm, that's hard to say. My school doesn't have a formal sorority recruitment process, but I think both systems work well. I have heard the I WAS an XYZ from both NIC and NPC members so it's really hard to say.

That's an interesting question. I think I would say both, or neither.

I think it depends on the individual's experiences and the chapter's focus on alumni involvement. For example, with NPHC (from what I've inferred from some friends and GC, so correct me if I'm wrong) you have an "informed consumer" pursuing membership and this person should already understand the lifetime obligation they are about to accept. With NIC/NPC your new member is likely rather clueless to the majority of the greek experience, and it's up to the chapter and its membership education program to enstill these values. So I would say that it is less about recruitment and more about education.

I disagree with your last statement in that we don't make sure every group gets the same number, we make sure each group has the opportunity to take that number, they have to do the work (ex: showcase their chapter, sisterhood, and membership and mutually select women).

Part of the reason we rush the way we do is that though annoying at times, our practices and rules protect the health of the entire system, and therefore our chapter. It has been said many times that if one chapter is at the bottom or in danger of closing, and does, another chapter will take their place, and it could be ours.

I think some of that depends on where the alumna/us lives after they graduate (near campus, near an active school or greek association or club), their connections with other people, their experience while in school (on double secret probation, closed for risk management or low numbers), whether the membership in an international or national group is emphasized, and their personality.

Thanks.

I ask because some think that how you come into the organization is important because it ideally sets the tone for the education and overall experience as a member. For example, if your recruitment is structured and perceived as being based on set criteria and expectations, that may shape how you perceive membership in the chapter and the organization. If you think it's kind of willynilly and essentially a drinking party with Greek letters attached then you may treat it as such. [ETA: I don't think fraternities, in general, are drinking parties. That was just the example that I used.]

I know it isn't so cut and dry, so thanks for your answers.

^^^ It depends, and I wouldn't say fraternity recruitment is essentially a drinking party, at least not for everybody. It's really common to have events when you can spend time talking to the rushes as well as whatever else you may being.

I don't think fraternities, in general, are drinking parties. That was just the example that I used.