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nebraskadelt, i will try to explain the reasoning behind a letter of recommendation. first, think of it as the same sort of thing that you might be expected to acquire when you seek employment-a reference, so to speak. it can give insight into how a pnm might fit in with a chapter and how her special talents could enhance their group.
on a large campus, with many potential new members, it might benefit the pnm to have a letter of recommendation. on the first two days of recruitment, which on large campuses are duplicate days, the pnms are herded in and out of the houses at breakneck pace and many times, not much information is exchanged in conversation other than: name, hometown, major and where they are living on campus. this is because of time constraints. the recommendation provides the sorority with her gpa, her activities in high school, awards and honors, other things that might show the chapter how that girl might enhance and fit in with their group,her hometown and high school and campus address. this information can be used to facilitate conversation and if accompanied by a photo, it is easier to put the correct information with the right face. no one bases their decision to extend offers of membership to a pnm on one recommendation, but because of the extra information that might not have come up in 10 or 15 minutes of conversation, that pnm might be invited back to the next set of parties, where more could be learned of the pnm. and added bonus is that many chapter will pair their best rusher with a pnm who has a recommendation and that works in the pnms favor. the stellar rusher can make conversation with anyone and make them feel comfortable and at home.
now, there can be negative recommendations sent on a pnm. if an alumna felt that for whatever reason a pnm would not fit in with that particular chapter of her sorority, she might send a recommendation where she states that she does not recommend the pnm for membership. it is still up to the chapter to use that information or ignore it.
we alumnae take recruitment seriously, and while i cannot speak for everyone, i would only send a negative recommendation on a pnm if they were drug users or dealers, the high school slut, a drunk, a thief-in other words, someone i felt certain could ruin the reputation of the chapter singlehandedly.
by the way, you say that the sororities on your campus do not use recommendations. that may be so, but then again,the members you know may not know everything that goes on in their chapter. it may be that their chapter did receive a recommendation, that it was favorable and the person in charge of recruitment for that chapter filed it away. no chapter has to use the information they receive-they are free to make their own decision. but it is nice to have that extra information before the girl crosses their threshold.
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