Total Too Low???

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by Kansas City

First of all, I agree that the lowered total should have been advertised and voted on in a more open manner than it apparently was.

This being said, if your campus is moving toward a more structured recruitment, then total will mean a lot more to the chapters now than in the past. The total (30, 40 or whatever) helps to level the playing field between the three groups so that PNMs will be required to look at all of their options when it sounds like before each chapter could take as many people as they wanted no matter what their current membership numbers were. Also, with a more structured recruitment, you will likely be looking at a quota system that helps to maintain this level playing field that the campus total is being set to. Just because you had one semester or year of great growth in Greek interest does not equal a trend and this could be why your campus lowered total to 30.

In my opinion the lower total allows the one smaller chapter to attract more members to keep the numbers amongst all the chapters near the same level. PNMs who might have been closed minded and open to accept only one chapter may now have to expand their horizons a bit more and look at other options if they want to experience Greek life. The chapter that is now allowed to only accept 2 will have the option of being more selective when giving out bids.

With an enforced total number, it is more fair to all chapters because instead of each taking say 10 PNMs (a quota without total?), they are allowed to take the number that will get them to the 30 member total. Over the next few years I believe that you will find that the numbers will work themselves out where all three chapters are taking and loosing (through graduation, etc.) a similar number year after year.

And I would COMPLETELY agree with this... IF they were moving toward more structured recruitment right now. They say they will, but right now, it's not happening. PNMs are not encouraged to visit all of the chapters. They don't understand the "see everyone, find your home" concept, because they generally aren't familiar with the Greek system at all. I'll admit, when I first got involved with Greek life, I never thought that way, either. I was fortunate enough to end up where I belonged, but that doesn't happen with a lot of girls on our campus because they don't even really know that they have other options. That might sound weird, and it's hard to explain, but that's how it is. Because for 90% of the girls on this campus, they don't think "I want to be Greek!" Instead, they are generally asked to attend recruitment events by individual chapters.

I'm afraid that girls will visit only specific chapters, be left out, and not understand why. Greek life isn't a way of life around here, and the rules aren't understood by everyone.

I guess that the best way I can describe it is to relate it to fraternity recruitment.. with a total.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

And I would COMPLETELY agree with this... IF they were moving toward more structured recruitment right now. They say they will, but right now, it's not happening. PNMs are not encouraged to visit all of the chapters. They don't understand the "see everyone, find your home" concept, because they generally aren't familiar with the Greek system at all. I'll admit, when I first got involved with Greek life, I never thought that way, either. I was fortunate enough to end up where I belonged, but that doesn't happen with a lot of girls on our campus because they don't even really know that they have other options. That might sound weird, and it's hard to explain, but that's how it is. Because for 90% of the girls on this campus, they don't think "I want to be Greek!" Instead, they are generally asked to attend recruitment events by individual chapters.

I'm afraid that girls will visit only specific chapters, be left out, and not understand why. Greek life isn't a way of life around here, and the rules aren't understood by everyone.

I guess that the best way I can describe it is to relate it to fraternity recruitment.. with a total.

but aren't girls visiting specific chapters now, with the current mode of recruitment? with structured recruitment they would at least be expected to visit each chapter at least once(on my campus, they visit each chapter for two nights before any voting is done).

the panhellenic council would carry the brunt of the organizing and dispensing of information about recruitment-which it seems is being shouldered by each chapter right now.

you advisors need to meet asap, to share the info. that you know and to plan a strategy to present to the greek life advisor. you all also need to meet with the gl advisor asap so that you know what is going on and how recruitment will be held in the winter.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

but aren't girls visiting specific chapters now, with the current mode of recruitment? with structured recruitment they would at least be expected to visit each chapter at least once(on my campus, they visit each chapter for two nights before any voting is done).

That's my point. If they changed total AND changed the way they recruit, it might help. But they didn't. So for next semester, they still have informal recruitment and total at 30, making it impossible for that one chapter to get any more than 2 girls.

They are visiting specific chapters (in most cases, just 1) and they aren't exposed to all of them (hence why more structured recruitment would help). If they only visit that chapter that will only allow 2 new members for next semester, then they will REALLY be limiting their options, but they might not even know that. Why would they unless the chapter told them?

[Kansas City]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

And I would COMPLETELY agree with this... IF they were moving toward more structured recruitment right now. They say they will, but right now, it's not happening. PNMs are not encouraged to visit all of the chapters. They don't understand the "see everyone, find your home" concept, because they generally aren't familiar with the Greek system at all. I'll admit, when I first got involved with Greek life, I never thought that way, either. I was fortunate enough to end up where I belonged, but that doesn't happen with a lot of girls on our campus because they don't even really know that they have other options. That might sound weird, and it's hard to explain, but that's how it is. Because for 90% of the girls on this campus, they don't think "I want to be Greek!" Instead, they are generally asked to attend recruitment events by individual chapters.

I'm afraid that girls will visit only specific chapters, be left out, and not understand why. Greek life isn't a way of life around here, and the rules aren't understood by everyone.

I guess that the best way I can describe it is to relate it to fraternity recruitment.. with a total.

I understand but you cannot have it both ways. Either your campus sticks with the way things were or moves toward a change. It could be that your campus is moving to a more formal approach quicker than you anticipate (especially since they apparently left the chapters out of the reducing quota dialogue). The chapters should agree to take the lead and inform the PNMs of the new total during their recruitment events. For example, chapter A explains that they are only allowed to accept 2 new memebers while chapter B can take 6 and chapter C can take 14. I also think that by setting the campus total and sticking to it, you will see an increase in Greek life interest because all sororities are nearly the same size and a more positive Panhellenic spirit because they need to work together in their recruitment efforts.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by Kansas City

they need to work together in their recruitment efforts.

This is all it comes down to. I think it worries me more than anything because there haven't been any major, concrete ideas concerning this.

[Kansas City]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

This is all it comes down to. I think it worries me more than anything because there haven't been any major, concrete ideas concerning this.

Easier said than done ... it might take a few semesters to get it right but you've got to start somewhere. Good luck.