[Lalucas]

First here is my situation/outlook on all of this... I have a daughter who is already in a sorority at IU... we have discussed the wackiness of the live out policies? how it limits how many can pledge, how some house do it and others don't.

1. She tells me that she and her friend have no say in the policies.. I say it must come up for a vote and she says no. She doesn't know who or win it gets decided but is sure seems like it is not a referendum from the members because the rank and file is not discussing it at hers.

2. Most of her friends would like to live out as seniors..most of them belong to sororities that even if they officially allow it... don't let it happen much or not at all.

3. the members work very hard during rush and many of them get frustrated too, and they can't even tell their mothers how it really works. But I do believe that if you aren't already "in" with a group that you have a very very uphill battle to get in.

4. Even in the around 40 size pledge classes all the girls don't end up best friends with everyone.. there are still girls they like better than others and some they don't like at all. The pledge class doesn't even really meet until that first bid nite as even in 3 party they are spread out among 4 parties.

5. PNM's have a whole semester to make an impression and stand out to a house... waiting until the actual events and thinking that will work out well is naive. that said I think the lack of pre-recruitment activities will prove out to be a bigger deal than anticipated. But I'm not sure in which way... more openness to new faces or more reliance on prior friends and connections.

and lastly from a $$$$$ point of view...it is my understanding that Greek alumni donations are very high especially in proportion to their numbers...so keeping them happy may be an incentive to the University admin. and the ones that are Greek got in the "old bad way"

I look forward to any discussions my post provokes.

Good luck to all - parents and girls with tomorrow. I too remember the stress of this night and the long day tomorrow waiting for that phone call from our daughters.