Quote:
Originally Posted by DZRose
Ok, I'll bite, because I'm genuinely curious. So how is "soliciting" membership as an AI different from "soliciting" membership as a woman going through rush? Would seeking AI be any less selective?
This woman didn't get cut from rush earlier in her life, she never pledged or sought membership (or at least didn't state that she had in the original post) at another time. Because she decided to attend college later in her life, beyond an age someone would typically feel comfortable pledging a sororirity, we should penalize her for that by completely eliminating the opportunity to have sisterhood with women of her own age/common interests?
I realize that there are some VERY heated opinions on AI, and I'm really curious as to why that is. I know a couple women who were AI because they did not have the opportunity to be in a sorority as collegians but made excellent members after AI. I feel like the sorority is strengthened by the experiences and enthusiasm they brought with them.
Most of the posts on GC I've read opposing AI seem to indicate that NO ONE should be AI. Why is it there then?
|
I don't understand that whole thing either. It really depends on the type of organization this woman is trying to join. Among the NPHC, alumnae initiation (although we don't refer to it as "AI," just alumnae or grad) is encouraged and supported. While the interested persons might be more carefully selected for membership, there is nothing weird or odd about joining an NPHC org at the alumnae level. In fact Alumnae chapters (which include undergrad and grad initiates) are highly valued so much so that new undergrad chapters cannot be chartered unless there is an alumnae chapter close by to advise them. So it's important for the alumnae chapters to increase in membership. Ultimately it's the alumnae chapters that manage the business of the organizations at the local level.
So my advice...if she's interested in an NPHC org and she's 40 years old, I would suggest that she do her research and pursue membership at the grad level once she has achieved her bachelor's degree unless she can tolerate being around a bunch of young'uns all the time. I'm in an alumnae chapter (inducted as an undergrad) and we advise 5 undergrad chapters and we are very close to them. I love them dearly but I can't imagine being around them 24/7 now that I'm 30+.