RFM and New Chapters
 

So, I was curious if anyone out there who knows more about RFM than NUKayDee and myself can enlighten us. I know that the number of cuts a chapter must make each round is dependent upon their return rates historically for each round. However, I am unclear how this works for newly installed chapters going through their first formal recruitment. How are the number of NMs for each round determined for new chapters?

Thanks in advance!

It looks like we're not the only ones who aren't sure how it works...

I've been told that new chapters are not forced to make any cuts. They can take anyone. They release those that do not meet their standards but don't have a release number.

That was my understanding as well.

I don't think there is a hard and fast rule about where a new chapter "starts" in RFM. As in all things, I think campus culture, how the new chapter is doing, and other things go into the decision of where their original return figures land in RFM. This is another area were the RFM specialist has some training, and its one of those things that she ultimately decides (taking into consideration various factors). However, this is one of the reasons why there are flex lists. Since most new chapters have consultants who start on campus during a chapters 1st formal recruitment, hopefully these chapters are well advised on the importance of these and why should be used wisely.

My personal experience with new chapters and RFM was with a very different situation. The year this particular chapter was colonized, two other new chapters were joining campus with an existing chapter and they basically did an accept/regret formal recruitment (non-RFM). They eventually moved to RFM (if I can remember right, it was one more additional year of "old school" before RFM started), and by that time they chapter I advised were the top recruiters on campus (with only 2 chapters on campus (the other 2 who colonized unfortunately didn't make it), everyone gets 100% return rates (PNMs are required to accept invites to all chapters invited through pref), and they had fantastic returns on their Bid lists).

The only other new chapter RFM situation I am familiar with is Arkansas from this fall, and that was a little different due to the variable quotas on campus. That obviously affected RFM numbers in a different way than most campuses.

Hopefully someone else can enlightened you guys a little better :)

They generally are not bound to release figures unless during the course of the week the RFM specialist sees that need be adjusted...at least for the first year. Usually the third year is when they start making more hard and fast numbers for them - though it is certainly up to the RFM specialist.

This makes total sense when applied to the situation Sigmagirl and I were discussing. I'm going to try to apply it in a hypothetical and could someone please correct me if I am wrong?

So AAA is a brand new chapter. AAA does not need to release a certain number of women throughout the week and therefore 150 women attend preference at their chapter when campus average at preference is 100. 25 of these women only attended preference at AAA. Quota on campus is determined to be 50. AAA matches their first 50 and now there are 21 women left who only attended AAA for pref...these women could be added to AAA as quota additions, yes?

Yes. (provided they meet the other requirements of membership of AAA)
This give the benefit of the doubt to new chapter.

Yes but normally some of those 25 would be on AAA's first list and some of the 50 would be further down....so of those some may match elsewhere...and AAA may find out that one of the 25 is an ax murderess and drop her...(just joking here, folks)....

Got it. I tried to factor that in by saying that only 21 women were left, but I probably should have made the number lower to clarify.

Yes. That is correct. It is done this way to make sure the new chapter can "catch up" with the established groups on campus. Of course, this is the best case scenario.

And for clarification to those who may be lurking here, the fact that AAA may not HAVE to make cuts doesn't mean they WON'T make cuts beyond those who don't meet their standards - grades or other requirements they may have. Particularly for a first formal rush, the gals from headquarters may (rightly) be even bigger sticklers on the types of girls they want forming their campus legacy.

This is an interesting take. I'll check with the advisors in question to see how RFM was handled regarding lists.