Should Chapters Reveal Probations

[UAzetadude]

Should Chapters inform potential member/rushees if they are on some sort of social suspension in the Fall? What I mean is a young lady pledges only to find out a week later that they will be limited in swaps/socials for the coming year even though they are expected to fund the social budget.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by UAzetadude

Should Chapters inform potential member/rushees if they are on some sort of social suspension in the Fall? What I mean is a young lady pledges only to find out a week later that they will be limited in swaps/socials for the coming year even though they are expected to fund the social budget.

I would say YES.

We had a situation similar to this when I was an active. A chapter was placed on social probation and was not allowed to have social events. I am pretty sure they were told not to discuss it. Panhellenic told the other chapters on campus not do so either (if asked about it by a PNM). They took a quota sized class during recruitment, but I know that there were some girls who chose not to stay in the sorority when they were told about the probation. Others were upset because they were not told before they joined.

So I think that honesty is the best policy here.

[UGAalum94]

I would think it important that the group itself have to disclose the probation. I would look pretty terrible and probably fire up the rumors if other groups were talking about it.

This is one of those issue when your GLO headquarters will likely know the most.

I would think that if the group has a good reputation generally, it will still be able to recruit even if people know about some social limitations, especially if they know what the group plans to do instead.

[AXOrushadvisor]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I would say YES.

We had a situation similar to this when I was an active. A chapter was placed on social probation and was not allowed to have social events. I am pretty sure they were told not to discuss it. Panhellenic told the other chapters on campus not do so either (if asked about it by a PNM). They took a quota sized class during recruitment, but I know that there were some girls who chose not to stay in the sorority when they were told about the probation. Others were upset because they were not told before they joined.

So I think that honesty is the best policy here.

I completely agree with you KSUViolet. It seems like every year there is at least one Chapter that is on some sort of probation. Panhellenic tells us not to discuss it and I think that is right. I think the Chapter that is on probation, if asked, should answer appropriately and honestly.

[DGTess]

If you want your sisterhood to be based on honesty and respect, isn't it only fair to disclose the information? It's not necessary to make a big deal of it; it's possible to stress other aspects of sorority life. I would think a woman who joined without knowing the facts would have reason to be suspicious of the entire organization.

[33girl]

Also, I'm not sure, but it may be that the "social budget" entails things other than mixers with fraternities - it may include the formal and things that are sisterhood functions only. I'm sure everyone's different on that score.

I do agree it should be disclosed to rushees by the sorority, for the reasons DGTess mentioned. Maybe not at the first round (Hi! Welcome to ABC! We can't have mixers for a year!) but the second or third party.

It can also be a hell of a good weeder-outer to get rid of the women who only wanted to join for the mixer/party aspect - and sometimes the groups on probation are the ones who do have the biggest party reputation (warranted or not). As much as it sucks, it's a chance for them to regroup with people who really want to be there for the girls, not for the boys.