Too fat to recruit: or, DePauw, the Sequel

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

Actually, National Panhellenic is moving away from Recruitment "parties," meaning that it will be a lot less shallow, and primarily only based on conversation, as opposed to the glitz of decorations, make up, and skits. In the next few years, they just might be holding recruitment events in "warehouses," so to speak, because they won't be allowed to show off; they will only be able to have conversations with PNMs. Of course, this will be difficult for chapters to transition into, but it could be beneficial in the long run for the Greek System.

I realize. It's called no frills, and that's what we do. It doesn't mean that PNMs don't judge on appearance. No frills does not mean no makeup, either.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

I realize. It's called no frills, and that's what we do. It doesn't mean that PNMs don't judge on appearance. No frills does not mean no makeup, either.

I know it doesn't mean NO make up; if you read what I wrote, I said it would be LESS about those things, not that they won't occur at all...

[cuteASAbug]

Let's be honest. Girls are petty. It's a known fact. It's why the guys still can't figure sorority rush or why we have all the rules that we do. No matter what you do, some girls are going to judge sororities based on superficial things. Take away decorations and door songs, they will judge on the cutest mascot, prettiest colors, number of cheerleaders, best dressed girls, etc.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by cuteASAbug

Let's be honest. Girls are petty. It's a known fact. It's why the guys still can't figure sorority rush or why we have all the rules that we do. No matter what you do, some girls are going to judge sororities based on superficial things. Take away decorations and door songs, they will judge on the cutest mascot, prettiest colors, number of cheerleaders, best dressed girls, etc.

Even if this is true, that doesn't mean that these women should be members of sororities, if they are petty. And I refuse to believe that ALL girls are petty--anytime someone makes a generalization like that I am apprehensive.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

I know it doesn't mean NO make up; if you read what I wrote, I said it would be LESS about those things, not that they won't occur at all...

KathyKD, why do you think that will be?

(I'm not just being contrary, but since I honestly never heard a women join a group because she liked the food or decorations unless she had absolutely nothing of merit to make a decision on, I can't figure out why eliminating the remaining "frills" will cause her to use deeper standards. I can totally see why it frees up the members to focus exclusively on the PNMs, which seems great, but it doesn't ensure that they will focus on the "right" things.)

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

KathyKD, why do you think that will be?

(I'm not just being contrary, but since I honestly never heard a women join a group because she liked the food or decorations unless she had absolutely nothing of merit to make a decision on, I can't figure out why eliminating the remaining "frills" will cause her to use deeper standards. I can totally see why it frees up the members to focus exclusively on the PNMs, which seems great, but it doesn't ensure that they will focus on the "right" things.)

I didn't say it forced them to have morals or to have higher standards, just that some of the outside forces, like how impressive their house seemed or how many girls were able to perform in a skit, or what kind of food they ate are eliminated. We were discussing that unfortunately, some young women ARE quite self-centered and petty, and a no-frills recruitment cuts down on that effect, and helps chapters with lower funds compete. I never said that it gives people better ways of thinking; it simply lets the sorority focus more on TALKING to the PNMs than on impressing them.

[UGAalum94]

It's so weird to me to learn that people actually cared about the quality of the frills of groups during rush. My campus was so heavily tipped toward prior reputation, I can't imagine door chants making a difference.

ETA: thanks, KathyKD for your response.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

It's so weird to me to learn that people actually cared about the quality of the frill of groups during rush. My campus was so heavily tipped toward prior reputation, I can't imagine door chants making a difference.

Sometimes at smaller schools, that is what gives a chapter the leg-up. Sad, but true. This is why so many chapters spend so much money on Recruitment, because they are attempting to undermine the rumors that the PNMs have heard on campus about each house.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

Sometimes at smaller schools, that is what gives a chapter the leg-up. Sad, but true. This is why so many chapters spend so much money on Recruitment, because they are attempting to undermine the rumors that the PNMs have heard on campus about each house.

Oh, I'm not from a small school.

There's a very strong tradition at many big campuses too. And tradition is often a function of reputation earned or unearned.

Frills, no frills, dress up, dress casually, I don't think you're ever going to really get people to consider what you want them to.

But you can make it less wasteful, and that's a positive end right there.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

Oh, I'm not from a small school.

There's a very strong tradition at many big campuses too. And tradition is often a function of reputation earned or unearned.

Frills, no frills, dress up, dress casually, I don't think you're ever going to really get people to consider what you want them to.

But you can make it less wasteful, and that's a positive end right there.

Exactly! Just think about some of the money these chapters waste on recruitment, when they could use the money for something worthwhile, or something that furthers their deeper purpose!

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

It's so weird to me to learn that people actually cared about the quality of the frill of groups during rush. My campus was so heavily tipped toward prior reputation, I can't imagine door chants making a difference.

ETA: thanks, KathyKD for your response.

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