Are recs obsolete?

[KSUViolet06]

I've heard recs compared to a college application. Submitting an application is required for the school to consider you, but obviously doesn't guarantee you'll be admitted.

QUESTION:

Why do some Panhellenics say on their sites that recs are the responsibility of the CHAPTER when that clearly isn't the case? I can think of at least 2 SEC school's sites who say that.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by JocelynC

QUESTION:

Why do some Panhellenics say on their sites that recs are the responsibility of the CHAPTER when that clearly isn't the case? I can think of at least 2 SEC school's sites who say that.

I believe it is because Panhellenic wants to promote a sense that recruitment is fair and even - that there is no social elitism in Greek life. Plus, if taking a napkin from a rush party is an infraction, I am sure officially requiring a rec would be too. That would be hazing or some other horrible maltreatment of PNMs.

I am with Dani on this one. I do NOT think that the recruitment guides should say that ACB requires a rec and DEF doesn't - PNMs may take that to mean that ABC is more exclusive that DEF. I DO think that the recruitment guides should stop promoting the lie that chapters will get recs for you since it is technically their responsibility. The guidebooks should inform PNMs that although the procurement of recommendations is ultimately the responsibility of the sorority, it is in the PNM's best interests to obtain recommendations for each chapter before recruitment begins.

I don't see this as being any different from informing PNMs on what to wear. Actually, a chapter is more able to overlook a PNM who over or under-dresses for a party than one who does not have a rec when that chapter requires one for membership consideration.

My sisters (biological) frequently made comments like, "we really liked her but she just didn't have a rec and we had to let her go." PNMs need to know this is the case.

[AUAZD2001]

When I was a PNM (almost 5 years ago!) and I read the statement in my Recruitment Handbook "It it the responsibility of the individual sororities to obtain a reccomendation for a PNM," I took that statement to mean that if you made it through to the end of recruitment and they wanted to offer you a bid, that they would get a reccomendation. And I thought that maybe the chapter advisor or someone like that would write the rec.

That's just the way I imagined it would be. How naive I was back then. Those sure were innocent times.