While some people may use college as a new beginning, during Recruitment a person's past (if someone knows them that well) is frequently the only way to determine what type of organizational contributor that person will be. While he/she may completely turn themselves around and be a different person entirely, they very well may not. I know when I'm referring to my letters, I don't want someone out there with an awful reputation continuing to be involved with awful things and representing me at the same time.
We all know people are looking for the smallest thing to peg greeks on, so all it takes is one bad behaving member to spoil an entire group's reputation. And if someone wants to be an individual then be an independent, because when joining a sorority, there are responsibilities that go along with it, such as behaving in a manner which demands respect for yourself and all of your brothers/sisters.
Having said that, and probably dropping a few jaws along the way, I feel like someone worthy of Phi Mu letters has to have respect for themselves, and in turn others, and must always try to represent themselves in the best light. I think if you do this, then everything else will fall into place. I do not, however, feel that someone needs to "earn" their letters because if we chose you, then you earned 'em, but I do feel they have a huge responsibility in reflecting MY fraternity well at all times and never waivering on their pledge to My fraternity. But members also have to keep this in mind when choosing their members, and if they don't feel a PNM could hold up to their end of the bargain, then perhaps this isn't the chapter for them.
I've started veering from what my original thought was, so I'll stop now. But I'll be back
Tara
i have a Phi Mu castle...