[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

What can a teacher, guidance counselor or principal speak to a girl's friendships?

I thought that was an odd choice of topic -- I'm not sure how anyone, alum or otherwise, could speak to that. As far as the general concept, however, I guess a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal would be considered a credible reference -- we do tell potential PNMs to tap these school resources when seeking alum rec-writers.

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

Can someone other than a "teacher, guidance counselor or principal" write one since they really aren't trying to address academics anyways? What about coaches, employers, the local mayor? How about Congressional appointment a la the academies? Where does it end?

Interpreting the statement as it stands, it appears that it ends with teachers, guidance counselors, and principals.

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

I would rather see a rec from an alumnae of another sorority than one from a random woman or man who knows nothing of the pressures of Greek Life.

Well, when you think about it, most alums around the country know little about the pressures of recruitment and Greek life on a campus like Bama, unless they have been involved on a campus with a similar recruitment and Greek atmosphere.

Again, just speculating, but the rationale/argument for including this option could just as easily be "I'd rather see a rec from a credible person who actually knows the PNM than a rec from an alum who knows someone who knows a credible person who knows the PNM."

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

These recs will fall into "Bless her heart" territory and could very well do more harm than good.

Not necessarily -- all chapters would receive the information uploaded, and no individual chapter would know if a PNM has recs to all chapters except one (theirs), no recs whatsoever, or recs to all chapters (and exercised this option anyway).

Clearly the best course of action is to obtain recs to all chapters if at all possible, as the info (gently) suggests ("While chapter specific letters of recommendation are preferred . . .").

What I find quite a bit more objectionable and misleading on the Letters of Recommendation info page is that this section is still there:

If you cannot find a letter of rec for each of the 17 NPC sororities recognized at UA, please do not worry! Recs are like extra credit—it’s great if you can get them, but they are not required by all chapters. If a sorority really wants to pledge someone and they have a policy that requires a PNM have at least one recommendation/reference form in order to be eligible for membership, they will find a recommendation for her. They won’t let her get away just because she can’t find her own recommendation!