*** Please Note: The following is all approved by Alabama Panhellenic. It is NOT considered "dirty rushing". For more specifics on all of these, particularly Panhellenic Preview Weekend, check out Alabama's Recruitment Rulebook (last revised 2008, so don't be confused by the title there) on the
UA Greek Website under Policies.
Spring Teas: Starting in mid to late fall, Recruitment teams ask members (older and recently initiated) and alumnae to turn in names and addresses of HS seniors attending the University the following year. Actual Recs shouldn't be sent until late spring or summer, but alumnae can give contact info to a Chapter for these events. These are then used as invitation lists to Spring Teas.
These Teas are hosted by alumnae with actives and pre-PNMs invited. They are usually held in a major urban/central locations, i.e. Alabama (Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa), Georgia (often Atlanta), Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida. The number and locations depend on how active/willing the alumnae are. Teas typically start around Christmas through the end of the spring semester when the "No contact" period starts (often May 1).
Panhellenic Preview Weekend: This is held around the first weekend in April. Invitations are mailed by Panhellenic to all female students who have already been accepted by the University. There is then a sign up on the UA Greek Life website to accept the invitation.
On the Friday night most Chapters hold invitational "Meet 'n Greets". Many pre-PNMs attend more than one. On Saturday there are Panhellenic presentations on what to expect in Recruitment as well as the Greek system as a whole. There is also a presentation for parents. Starting last year each Chapter set up a table at this main event with actives present to field questions and provide financial obligation info.
A tour of all Chapters is held afterwards. Each Chapter is allowed a certain number of actives in their house to meet and field questions from pre-PNMs and parents. Another social event may be hosted that evening by the Chapter provided there is no alcohol or men invited, but these are less common.
Active members can invite pre-PNMs to stay with them for this weekend. Each Chapter must turn in a list of those pre-PNMs and the actives they are staying with. Pre-PNMs cannot stay in a Chapter house.
FYI - Last year Preview Weekend and a Greek BBQ/block party (Saturday) were scheduled the same weekend. It went over very well and I suspect a similar schedule will be adopted this year.
How can a PNM get on a Chapter's radar to be invited to these Spring Teas or Meet 'n Greets?
- Just like with finding Rec writers, start reaching out to as many Greek people you can. Look for Greek alumnae you know in all areas of life and girls you know from HS that went Greek. While it is better if they attend(ed) Bama (mostly because they know about this spring process), it is not necessary. Any alumna or active can forward contact info to a Chapter.
- Last year was the inaugural year of
Crimson Tidings. I am not sure if a date has been set for this year yet, but it should be just prior to or shortly after Thanksgiving (due to finals being right around the corner.) This is a Panhellenic and IFC wide event supported by the University Administration. (NPHC was invited but did not participate.) Promos were sent (hard copies and emails) to Greek and University alumnae, identified pre-PNMs, High Schools, ads were placed in newspapers, etc.
Crimson Tidings is a walking tour of all Chapter houses to see them decorated for Christmas. Anyone can attend who is interested and buys a ticket (maybe $10 per?). All proceeds are divided amongst the participating Chapters for their I/natl philanthropy. Actives are present in each house and this is a good time for pre-PNMs to meet them.
- Most incoming freshmen visit/tour a campus. Contact Panhellenic or alumnae you know to try to set up a tour of sorority houses. Often times they can set this up and you can meet some members.
Will it hurt a PNM's chances if she doesn't attend/get invited to these events?
Maybe yes, maybe no. The purpose of all these are to let the actives get to know PNMs and vice versa. This way decisions aren't based only on the stressful and ridiculously short 15 minutes of an Open House party (and for the Chapters Recs, resumes, and grades). Decisions can be made more accurately based on personality and "fit".
Many PNMs who do not attend any of these functions and weren't on anyone's "radar" still receive bids to great Chapters. They have sparkling personalities that shine through in the limited time of Formal Recruitment, have great resumes, GPAs, Recs, etc.
On the flip side, I know of many PNMs that actives felt based on knowing them from the Spring function(s) would not be a good fit. PNMs need to remember these spring activities are part of Recruitment. You need to show your best side at all times. This is especially true if invited to spend Panhellenic Preview Weekend with an active. I've heard some real horror stories about PNM antics on these visits.
Point being, just because someone is invited/attended spring events is not a guarantee of getting a bid or even not getting released early in the process.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna
Weighing in here until Zillini (the authority) can post
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I am honored.
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