Separate Quotas

[AXOrushadvisor]

I was talking to another Advisor about this the other day. Which Universities have implemented separate quotas for upperclassmen? Also, are they used just for juniors and seniors or do some Universities do it for sophomores? What is the driving factor in instituting these quotas? I haven't looked at a green book in a while, but has NPC come up with any standards and rules for a separate quota? And finally, last question I promise, has having a separate quota effected the ability to fill your housing requirements?

[KSUViolet06]

It's primarily used at bigger schools with competitive recruitment where upperclassmen generally have a hard time getting bids.

The rationale behind having the upperclassman quota is that it allows a chapter to bid some upperclassmen without them counting in regular quota and taking a spot that could be filled by a freshman.

At many of the schools that don't use upperclass. quota, chapters might be hesitant to bid a soph or junior that they really like because that means one less freshman (which are preferred because they = 4 years of dues and participation).

It just takes away from the "taking Jamie Junior means one less freshman" thing.

Some schools have junior quota, while others have it so that it includes any upperclassmen (sophs AND juniors).

[Zillini]

Alabama has had a separate upperclassmen (any non-freshman) quota for several years. Prior to this, it was nearly impossible for anyone who wasn't a freshman to receive a bid unless she was a campus superstar with a gazillion in-house friends. The number of upperclassmen participating in Recruitment has grown every year since its implementation.

It is my understanding that NPC does not have any specific rules/policies governing a separate quota at this time. However, they encourage campuses that face those non-freshmen prejudices to look into and considerate it.

At Alabama, it's treated like 2 separate Recruitments that occur simultaneously (i.e. 2 sets of invite numbers, 2 bid lists, etc.) For the first time this year ICS provided separate upperclassmen screens which made it even easier to manage.

As to effecting housing requirements, I don't understand your question. Then again, at Bama the houses typically sleep between 40-60 and Chapter Average is just shy of 270. So filling the houses isn't usually a problem. That's what happens when Total skyrockets, yet the physical houses remain the same size.

[DubaiSis]

So swerving in a bit here, how does it work when you have a pledge class of 80 and only 60 beds? Who lives in? I mean, I'm assuming the executive board lives in, but beyond that is it a reward or punishment to live in?

[Titchou]

Pledge class - actually New Member classes now - don't usually live in. Normally you have to be initiated to live in. Chapters usually design their own live in policies, based on whatever their national organization has a requirement. So it could be based on a set number of terms ( 2 semesters, 6 quarters, whatever), office held, year in school, etc. It's generally up to each chapter to design the program as it works best for their campus.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

So swerving in a bit here, how does it work when you have a pledge class of 80 and only 60 beds? Who lives in? I mean, I'm assuming the executive board lives in, but beyond that is it a reward or punishment to live in?

It varies I think. They might have all upperclassmen who want to keep their beds get first dibs, then all freshmen turning into sophomores put in and either lottery, first come first serve or have another method for determining who gets to live in. Many juniors or seniors want apartments or off-campus housing so there's fairly good rotation.

Most places have a "we can make you live in if we want to/have to" clause and if for some reason living in the house isn't popular then it's going to be more like a punishment.

So to answer your question, it depends on the perspective of the members. Usually it's a good thing, if not quite a reward, but sometimes it could feel like a punishment even if it's just that someone had to live in and they drew your name.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

So swerving in a bit here, how does it work when you have a pledge class of 80 and only 60 beds? Who lives in? I mean, I'm assuming the executive board lives in, but beyond that is it a reward or punishment to live in?

In the overwhelming majority of housed NPC chapters, only a fraction live in, usually less than half. Generally, the exec board is required to live in.

As for whether it is a reward or punishment, that's subjective. Some women want to live in. Others don't. I lived in my chapter house for 3 years and loved it. It's not for everyone though.

If there are more members who want to live in than there are beds, my chapter has everyone fill out a "point sheet" which quantifies involvement, awards, GPA, number of semesters in the chapter, etc. The members with the most points choose rooms first. Everyone who doesn't get a spot can be placed on a waiting list for spring (since there are almost always women who go abroad in the spring) if they place a deposit.

If fewer members want to live in than there are spots available, the "responsibility" to fill the house lies with the newest members.

[violetpretty]

Back to the original topic, I like this idea even though there isn't a huge bias against non-freshmen at Maryland. There are chapters who take fewer non-freshmen and take them less frequently than others. It seems like most sophomores are split between fewer chapters, leading to more of a "boom and bust" cycle of membership, with varying sizes of graduating classes.

Freshmen would only compete against other freshmen, which would actually make it more competitive for them. Non-freshmen would be more likely to join a chapter that best fits them rather than choosing from chapters that only take freshmen.

I like this idea mainly because it removes the stigma that non-freshmen NMs=undesirable. It's like we say that not being a freshman is bad so many times we start believing it even though most people don't think about the reasoning behind it. The only thing undesirable about them is that they have to be replaced sooner, but that issue is resolved when everyone is entitled to the same number of freshmen. And if a chapter doesn't want to take upperclassmen, that's their prerogative, but they are missing out on dues, and potentially great members.

[CarolinaPhi]

USC (South Carolina, that is) just started doing this I think last year. There is a freshman quota & upperclassmen quota which includes soph, juniors, & seniors.

[Cheerflyer]

Hi all,

I am a high school senior and I will graduate with 33 semester hours of college credit. These are from AP classes and “Dual Enrollment”. I am planning on attending UoA next year.
Should I rush as a freshman or as a sophomore? Is one more competitive than the other or do I even have an option?

Thanks

[Titchou]

Which U of A???? And Greek Life usually determines your classification but they will know you just graduated from HS from your registration for recruitment.

[AZTheta]

AXOrushadvisor, I'm really interested in this topic. Hope that many GCers from all over the US will post. Can't help thinking that this would benefit Arizona, considering the recent recruitment figures.

[UA2015]

I am also interested

[Cheerflyer]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Which U of A???? And Greek Life usually determines your classification but they will know you just graduated from HS from your registration for recruitment.

Sorry for not being specific.
My UoA = University of Alabama

Roll Tide!

[FSUZeta]

i don't think you can chose whether you will rush as a freshman or sophomore. that will be determined by(probably) by the office of admissions and/or greek life.