Classification v. "Years Left"

[lyrelyre]

I have been thinking about this for a while, but I haven’t wanted to potentially hijack someone else's thread.

I’m not sure how much a chapter will consider that a PNM has more years left prior to graduation than her classification indicates. I know that I don't take it into account and, without going into MS, I have never experienced it being offered as a reason to give more consideration to a PNM.

Of course, it never hurts to let members know. However, I don’t want PNMs to think that simply by saying, “I know I’m technically a sophomore (or junior, or senior), but since I transferred (or changed my major, or planned poorly, or whatever) I have four (or however many) years left” that they will be on equal footing with a PNM who is actually in that younger class. On the other hand, I also don’t want upperclass(wo)men to be paranoid about their chances of membership. It depends on the campus, the chapter, and the individual PNM.

I’m a recruitment advisor at a somewhat competitive, “southernish” school. It is merely my experience that fifth year members are often inactive or on alumna status, regardless of what year they became new members. Further, I would say that a good number of our “problems” come from members who were not freshmen when they became new members. Naturally, I also have examples of upperclass(wo)men joining and becoming exemplary members.

I would like to end by saying this is purely my experience. I’m sure that many Greekchatters may disagree with me and offer numerous examples of Susie Sophomore, Jennifer Junior, or even Sally Senior joining the most elite and prestigious chapter at LSU, Ole Miss, or UGA.

It’s just my opinion and I wanted to put it out there.