Quote:
Originally Posted by UGAalum94
I didn't know it myself, but apparently based on what was said here, at some campuses, the pressure is on some chapters not to drop anyone. The invite targets for them would include the whole remaining pool of PNMS and since they can be penalized for not sticking to them if they cut too many (which I didn't know before), they are in a tough spot.
But absolutely, some chapters are compelled to release outstanding PNMs. And I'd say at some very competitive recruitments, almost all chapters have to release some highly qualified PNMs at one point or another.
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To answer FSUZeta's question and also to build on UGAalum94's comments, there are definitely chapters that are "recommended" to invite back 100% of all PNMs all nights of recruitment. This would, in an ideal world, ensure 100% placement. How "strong" this recommendation is varies based on campus. At some places there are penalties, at some there's nothing more than a stern chat with the Panhel advisor. The thing is the advisor knows that anyone the chapter cuts is likely to completely "fall through" recruitment and not get a bid. I'll speak to my own chapter's situation. We would cut a variety of girls - some of whom were just really really rude and condescending to us because they didn't want to join. Panhel didn't so much care if we cut them because they were going to go somewhere else anyway - or if they got cut elsewhere they still certainly weren't joining us. It was the questionable awkward obese girls (to be frank) that the Panhel advisor got really worked up about because she knew someone was going to have to break it to them they'd been cut everywhere. Pretty much if we cut them that was sure to be what would happen.
Release figures, I believe, really help mid-tier groups (which is great!) more than the lower-tier groups. Sadly many PNMs will just not consider them, even if they're cut from the top-tier houses sooner.
Having said all that, I actually believe it's a much better idea to stick to the release figures and cut as few people as possible. I think a lot of chapters get the "quality over quantity" mentality and dig themselves into a numbers hole they'll never get out of (depending somewhat on the support level and philosophy of their national office). My philosophy is that you can CREATE the quality, but you have to have numbers in order to just be there and compete. You can really structure programming that increases the quality of some of your "marginal" PNMs. That said, there does have to be a balance. I don't think any chapter should be forced to take a PNM they don't want. I just think some chapters get too cut-happy thinking "quality quality quality"... They expect a lot from freshmen women, frankly, and aren't using the member development process enough to really create the women they want to have.
/soap box