[Kevin]

^I disagree with all of what 33girl said..

I was just coming back to add that y'all might also look at having a wider committee finally deliberate in secret over big/little selection so that you alone don't shoulder the blame and you can just sort of keep what happened a secret and say "oh well, that's what the committee decided...." Lots less hurt feelings that way.

Your pledge and that particular member will have plenty of opportunity to be friends. The big/little pairing is (for me) more about membership retention and culture building. Potential big could be a great guy, but if he sucks at follow-through and needs hand holding, he's likely to make a terrible big.