University of Alabama Recruitment 2007

[triplefigs]

I was a charter member of GPhiB at Bama in 1988 (chapter was formally chartered in Feb 89). I am SO glad to see that the chapter is doing much better on recruitment. We live in Atlanta now, and I grew up in Athens, AL. I see several girls on the pledge list from both places!

Congrats to all the houses for a great year. Roll Tide!

[kk_bama]

Originally Posted by triplefigs

I was a charter member of GPhiB at Bama in 1998 (chapter was formally chartered in Feb 90). I am SO glad to see that the chapter is doing much better on recruitment. We live in Atlanta now, and I grew up in Athens, AL. I see several girls on the pledge list from both places!

Congrats to all the houses for a great year. Roll Tide!

I am on the advisory board, so if you ever want any updates, feel free to contact me! You do mean 1988, right? Or just trying to fudge a decade?

[triplefigs]

Originally Posted by kk_bama

I am on the advisory board, so if you ever want any updates, feel free to contact me! You do mean 1988, right? Or just trying to fudge a decade?

Yes, that would be 88! Geez, told you I was old. I get the update emails (haven't in a while). I'm sorry I missed the 15 year party last Feb. Go Gamma Phi!

[LXA SE285]

Is First Circle the first three sororities to build houses on campus or the three oldest continuously operating chapters? I've heard both ...

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by LXA SE285

Is First Circle the first three sororities to build houses on campus or the three oldest continuously operating chapters? I've heard both ...

I truly never heard of "First Circle." It's just "Circle," and it was the sororities which were located on or very near the circle bounded by KD, AGD, DDD, and AXOmega. The term has pretty much fallen out of use in favor of "Old Row." And true, "Old Row" is not synonymous with the Machine. The fraternities of the Machine use to pretty much tell the sororities what to do, and NEVER backed a sorority member for an SGA office. That has changed...some. Really, the sororities have WAY more members than fraternities and ought to take over the Machine! (And yes, I admire Minda Riley for standing up to them!)

[MVisKD]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

I truly never heard of "First Circle." It's just "Circle," and it was the sororities which were located on or very near the circle bounded by KD, AGD, DDD, and AXOmega. The term has pretty much fallen out of use in favor of "Old Row." And true, "Old Row" is not synonymous with the Machine. The fraternities of the Machine use to pretty much tell the sororities what to do, and NEVER backed a sorority member for an SGA office. That has changed...some. Really, the sororities have WAY more members than fraternities and ought to take over the Machine! (And yes, I admire Minda Riley for standing up to them!)

The First Circle sororities are KD, DDD & AGD. I don't really remember the history behind it, I just remember thinking that it was because those were the first sororities on campus. But seeing as how I only know KD's history I cannot vouch for that. First Circle had a private party every year and that was pretty much the extent....I don't know if they still do this or not but I am certain no one refers to them as "First Circle" in everyday chatter.

[Flora]

Originally Posted by MVisKD

The First Circle sororities are KD, DDD & AGD. I don't really remember the history behind it, I just remember thinking that it was because those were the first sororities on campus. But seeing as how I only know KD's history I cannot vouch for that. First Circle had a private party every year and that was pretty much the extent....I don't know if they still do this or not but I am certain no one refers to them as "First Circle" in everyday chatter.

The UA Alpha Gam website says, "The Psi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta was founded on the University of Alabama campus on November 18, 1921. As one of the first three sorority houses on campus, Alpha Gam is a member of First Circle." http://bama.ua.edu/~alphagam/history.html

[magnoliacurious]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

I truly never heard of "First Circle." It's just "Circle," and it was the sororities which were located on or very near the circle bounded by KD, AGD, DDD, and AXOmega. The term has pretty much fallen out of use in favor of "Old Row." And true, "Old Row" is not synonymous with the Machine. The fraternities of the Machine use to pretty much tell the sororities what to do, and NEVER backed a sorority member for an SGA office. That has changed...some. Really, the sororities have WAY more members than fraternities and ought to take over the Machine! (And yes, I admire Minda Riley for standing up to them!)

I've wondered for a while why Alabama sororities often have significantly more members than fraternities. Do y'all think if they traditionally recruited most of their members at a fall formal rush instead of informally over the spring and summer they would be much bigger? It would definitely seem so if they saw everybody and everybody saw them. Certainly with the Machine and all, it would seem they would be popular for those who could get in. They have been growing steadily since 2003 when they put more emphasis on formal rush and went to potential members in Alabama cities instead of having them come to them.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by magnoliacurious

I've wondered for a while why Alabama sororities often have significantly more members than fraternities. Do y'all think if they traditionally recruited most of their members at a fall formal rush instead of informally over the spring and summer they would be much bigger? It would definitely seem so if they saw everybody and everybody saw them. Certainly with the Machine and all, it would seem they would be popular for those who could get in. They have been growing steadily since 2003 when they put more emphasis on formal rush and went to potential members in Alabama cities instead of having them come to them.

Fraternities rush in a totally different way...dare I say, DISORGANIZED way? LOL!!
Sororities are way more organized, both individually and as a group. NPC-style recruitment is geared toward placing as many PNMs as possible. Most fraternities sign up their pledges at summer rush parties. Very few pledge through formal recruitment. IMHO: stupid, but that's the way it's always been. And gosh darn, they aren't about to change!

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by magnoliacurious

I've wondered for a while why Alabama sororities often have significantly more members than fraternities. Do y'all think if they traditionally recruited most of their members at a fall formal rush instead of informally over the spring and summer they would be much bigger? It would definitely seem so if they saw everybody and everybody saw them. Certainly with the Machine and all, it would seem they would be popular for those who could get in. They have been growing steadily since 2003 when they put more emphasis on formal rush and went to potential members in Alabama cities instead of having them come to them.

That's not just an Alabama thing - Sororities almost always have way more members than fraternities do.

[kk_bama]

Originally Posted by magnoliacurious

I've wondered for a while why Alabama sororities often have significantly more members than fraternities. Do y'all think if they traditionally recruited most of their members at a fall formal rush instead of informally over the spring and summer they would be much bigger? It would definitely seem so if they saw everybody and everybody saw them. Certainly with the Machine and all, it would seem they would be popular for those who could get in. They have been growing steadily since 2003 when they put more emphasis on formal rush and went to potential members in Alabama cities instead of having them come to them.

There's also just math involved... Bama has more female than male students. Also, there are 14 sororities and 20-some odd fraternities.

[bamabelle99]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Really, the sororities have WAY more members than fraternities and ought to take over the Machine! (And yes, I admire Minda Riley for standing up to them!)

Most of the sororities are already members of the machine. It doesn't matter how many members you have...each house has one representative that's 'tapped' each year...most members never have a clue who that person is.