Longest Pledging?
 

With all of the changes that have happened over the last 20 years that have shortened the pledging period at various groups, I'm wondering what the longest pledging period is at this time. Alpha Phi Omega (service fraternity) has 6 to 10 weeks as part of the National Pledging Standards (If the school says it has to be shorter it is)

Are there Fraternities and Sororities where it is longer than 10 weeks?

My own fraternity, it sort of depends on when we feel they're ready. I saw one group go 9 months or so, but that included the summer.

I've heard of a story where a guy had come back to a chapter and noticed that the pledges that were there when he left, were still pledges a year later...and that there were even newer pledges. The pledge trainer said that the chapter stated that they were going to only initiate five people from that pledge class and that there was still 6 left over, someone had to drop out before they'd be initiated. Whether or not that's true, I don't know.

Are you saying that your nationals actually has a laid out process week to week for six to 10 weeks?

We have national pledging standards (PDF file) and one of the standards is that the process must be at least six weeks and not more than ten weeks. (Exceptions have been made for MIP-only campuses)

There is no national pledge process.

Each chapter devises its own pledge program, though. There are interesting variations among chapters.

Oh okay. I was going to say that is very interesting.

Chi Omega pledges for a whole semester and then is initiated usually the 2nd or 3rd week of 2nd semester.

I've heard this is the case with Chi Omega chapters. How do Chi Omega chapters do this when so many campuses have a maximum length for the new member period?

SigEp is now down to 8-10 weeks, but just a year or two ago, the restriction allowed for up to 12 weeks of pledging.

With the BMP, technically it's a year of "pledging" until you are eligible to experience the full rites of initiation.

That's really interesting, is there anything in that you could elaborate on?

Arkansas' does it.

I figured it was just a Psi chapter thing.

Arkansas does it to ensure grades.

I'm not sure it is just a Psi thing. I have friends are K-State, KU, and MU who all didn't get initiated until second semester. I wonder how many chapter do it before then. Also, it is partially about grades and the rest is a secret! ;)

When I pledged AXiD, I believe every sorority on campus held over for grades. My pledge period was 13 weeks, then final exams, then break.

Sigma Pi at my school also does about 12 weeks of pledging (I think they have to shorten it this year) but their pledges aren't initiated until the next semester.

Also, the local sororities here pledge anywhere from 12-14 weeks.

Drolefille: We go through stages of development with the first (all info following is solely based on my chapter) being the length of a pledge period (8-10 weeks) and the second consuming the rest of the semester plus the whole of the next semester. Then, during Winter or Summer break (depending on when you rushed) we go through the third stage which is the full rites of initiation.

Interesting. Thanks!

DF if you want I know that Sig Ep has posted a list of requirements for BMP. It also says that each chapter can make up other requirements, but it's an interesting read to give you an idea. I found it via a simple google search.