[honeychile]

Originally posted by honeychile
While I don't think a school could require them, I do think that, IF this is a school where a rec matters, it should be STRONGLY recommended.

STRONGLY!!!! As in, "if you can't find a rec on your own, please call So-and-So and she will help you find the proper sources."

I'm repeating this because I really do think it necessary!

Most GreekChatters who have followed more than one rush thread have seen the heartbreak NOT having a rec can cause!

This is a crude example, and I do hope y'all will forgive me in advance, but at a school where a rec is strongly advised, it is as irresponsible to allow someone you know to try to rush without recs as it is to send a sexually active teen out on a date without protection!

What needs to be done:

ALL schools/Panhellenics should put into words exactly how much a rec is needed prior to the beginning of the school year and/or rush, perhaps using one of the following:

a) If it's not important at College A, put that into words!!: "While a recommendation from a sorority alumnae is always welcomed, we have found that not having recommendations will not hurt your chances during recruitment." How hard is that?

b) If it IS important at College B, warn the PNMs, AND advise them as to obtaining them!!: "A written recommendation from an alumnae from each sorority at College B will greatly improve the PNMs' chances during recruitment. If you are unsure of the procedure for obtaining a recommendation (or rec), please notify (Panhel person) at (email/phone) and she will suggest ways of obtaining recs."

Simple. Easy. Honest.

Then, make sure that the contact person has a standard list of the local Panhellenic, local alumnae groups, people the PNM may already know (teachers, church members, etc), even GreekChat. AND make sure that the list is kept up to date!


If I can meet a PNM, or get a good feeling about one through telephone conversation and internet chat, I would be happy to write a standard rec - which, after all, means soley "Please take a second look at this PNM. I have made no guarantees to her." If it's someone I really know, or have gotten to know, needless to say, I'll pump that rec up as much as possible - as long as I'm being honest about it.

You may differ in how you feel about writing a rec, but the bottom line is, why penalize someone who doesn't know the system? It's that type of attitude that gets us called elitest.


ETA: Yes, this flies in the face of the Green Book. But maybe that part needs to be rewritten. I honestly feel that every woman who signs up for rush should be given at least a sporting chance!