Quote:
Originally Posted by IUHoosiergirl88
As an active in a non-SEC school, recs meant absolutely nothing to me. Sure, we knew if a girl had a rec, but I cared more about if that PNM was going to fit in with our chapter than if they had a rec. A rec doesn't tell me anything about that girl's personality, her likes/dislikes/desires in a chapter, or what she stands for as a person. Those are things that mattered most to me as an active, and I felt I could only find out through conversation, not on a piece of paper.
|
This is EXACTLY what a good rec contains. it is a written recommendation to join the group, AND also attempts at broadening the picture of the pnm for the actives. The standard rush application provides the facts - the rec fills in the blanks for the chapter. Anecdotal information, intangibles, personality traits, etc are all conveyed in a good rec because (hopefully) the alum is doing the early leg work for you. (not always, obviously, but a lot of the time)
And those of you from non competitive recruitments who keep telling us you didn't know what a rec was - we get it. But do not turn your nose up at the process simply because you didn't experience it. Neither the "SEC" nor the others are worse for it. It simply IS part of recruitment in this region, and the chapters find a way to make it work for them.
And one final thought - This very rec issue is also a product of the adult alumnae environment in the South. ( I am using the South loosely but am obviously talking about competitive recruitments wherever) Sorority is important in the adult world in this region. People do not graduate and never think about Kappa again. They join the alumnae club, and usually right away. So, it would stand to reason that a role for alumnae during recruitment would be strong and an integral part of the process.