Indiana University 2014 Recruitment

[33girl]

I think the thing is that women who hate the idea of living in the house are for the most part not rushing at IU to begin with because they know it's a requirement. Just like women who would not want to be in a large chapter wouldn't rush at an SEC school.

[silver_blue]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think the thing is that women who hate the idea of living in the house are for the most part not rushing at IU to begin with because they know it's a requirement. Just like women who would not want to be in a large chapter wouldn't rush at an SEC school.

I agree to a point, though IU is such a wonderful school especially if you're in state. Purdue and IU don't have a ton of overlap in programs offered (this is on purpose, so the two schools don't compete in the same areas), so I think not attending IU is probably good advice if you don't want to live in a house, but what if you're a music major from Indianapolis? Seems kind of ridiculous to not attend IU and if you want to go greek you're screwed? The system needs to be fixed.

[33girl]

Devil's advocate post.

Say IU did change to quota/total, made everyone's house capacity the same and Greek life in general became less elite? Would there still be as many women rushing?

Everyone is yelling that the sorority women like their elite status and that's why they don't want to change. I would say that there are women out there rushing only to gain that status and if it diminished, so would their interest.

And if you're reading this thread don't get your panties in a bunch thinking I'm talking about you or your daughter because I'm not...unless, of course, I am, and that's something you have to be honest with yourself about.

[stbemtpynest]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Devil's advocate post.

Say IU did change to quota/total, made everyone's house capacity the same and Greek life in general became less elite? Would there still be as many women rushing?

Everyone is yelling that the sorority women like their elite status and that's why they don't want to change. I would say that there are women out there rushing only to gain that status and if it diminished, so would their interest.

Devil's advocate response . And I am not trying to offend anyone or say one side is right or wrong...

So what if Greek life at IU became less elite? So what if fewer women rushed? Is that really a bad thing?

[Sigmapsimom]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Devil's advocate post.

Say IU did change to quota/total, made everyone's house capacity the same and Greek life in general became less elite? Would there still be as many women rushing?

Everyone is yelling that the sorority women like their elite status and that's why they don't want to change. I would say that there are women out there rushing only to gain that status and if it diminished, so would their interest.

And if you're reading this thread don't get your panties in a bunch thinking I'm talking about you or your daughter because I'm not...unless, of course, I am, and that's something you have to be honest with yourself about.

I doubt it. There would still be a social pecking order of chapters. Some will always be considered more elite than others, just like at OU or Alabama.

[silver_blue]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Devil's advocate post.

Say IU did change to quota/total, made everyone's house capacity the same and Greek life in general became less elite? Would there still be as many women rushing?

Everyone is yelling that the sorority women like their elite status and that's why they don't want to change. I would say that there are women out there rushing only to gain that status and if it diminished, so would their interest.

And if you're reading this thread don't get your panties in a bunch thinking I'm talking about you or your daughter because I'm not...unless, of course, I am, and that's something you have to be honest with yourself about.

I honestly don't think it would diminish the girls going through. Look at Alabama and Ole Miss where being greek is still seen as incredibly elite: they don't all live in the houses and interest in their recruitments is growing, not waning.

If you want to compare to a more similar school, I think Illinois is a really good comparison to IU and they're doing just fine. I think the elitist mindset kicks in once PNMs become new members, but I don't think it's as much of a thing before they actually join.

[DubaiSis]

I think you're on point that SOME girls wouldn't be interested because of the loss of the extreme level of exclusivity the system now holds. But based on the success of Greek systems around the country of all different sizes and stripes, it would still be wildly successful in anyone's estimation. Would it leave out the huge byotch who is only in it because it proves she's better than everyone else? Maybe. Loss to anyone? Absolutely not. Instead of 1600 girls rushing, maybe 1575 would. Let's even say 1500 would. But then what about the girls who won't rush now because this system is lunacy? Then we go right back to 1600 and my guess is it would jump to 1700.

While we can only speculate what would happen in real life if IU got its act together, I think its demise might be overstated. (not by you, 33girl. I know you're not saying a change in rules would destroy their currently fabulous system.)

[Rhomom]

Originally Posted by Lalucas

It should be at least informed consent... all of these girls volunteer to put themselves in this situation...I think the travesty is that they don't realize what it will be like.. both emotionally and the "numbers game".

And unfortunately the rho gams can't tell them the full story...can't tell them that they have "no chance at DDD because you are brunette and since they got in trouble for having too many brunettes/NYC/Jewish girls...take your pick... last year they are only looking for blondes this year... tall skinny blondes...

or you don't' come from the "right" neighborhood for that sorority...they all come from Chicago or Carmel etc... yes they can google and zillow your home to see if you have enough money to join Visa-Visa-MasterCard sorority.

Unfortunately, the low down on the sororities is not transparent.. enough to be a level playing field.

But then again who said it was supposed to be?

Wow--just wow. As someone who comes from a bi-racial background, and lives in a very diverse community, I have to say that I have never heard a tirade like that. Significantly, my daughter is my daughter--so she reflects that diversity as well. The statements above are not only patently false, but border on outright bigotry.

Beyond that, I will only address one of these incredibly negative and provocative statements. This year, more than any other year, the IU system--with its many horrible flaws--- was discussed ad nauseam with PNM's. It was in fact, as transparent as the process can be. It sucks, it is completely arbitrary and unfair and it results in unbelievable angst. The pain is amplified by the fact that the system is slow to change--and we can postulate on the reasons and those responsible, but that is not productive.
My daughter chose to be a rhogam;and she spent many hours preparing pnm's for the grind of recruitment and the possible outcome. I can assure you, that they were told to "put it all out there", this year. Unfortunately there is nothing that can really prepare an 18 year old for the emotional roller coaster that may--and often at IU, results in profound disappointment. The women who take on the responsibility of guiding PNM's through the process do it because they care.They sweat, cry and they too were devastated by bad news and were joyful when the news was good. To paraphrase her, there is no rhyme or reason to this process, it is about connection, timing, and most importantly luck. And BTW--she related to me that it was also the "worst week of her 21 year old life".

As far as your comments Lalucas; I do not know you, and I certainly don't presume to know your situation. I hope that this does not reflect your approach to life, will assume you are having a bad day and that you felt safe in making those comments because you are online and anonymous. The best to you.

I am wondering if it is time to end this thread.......

[BlueCarnation]

I'm sorry for the young women at IU--or anywhere--who didn't get bids into a sorority. Sorority membership has made me a better person and has introduced me to some of my best friends. I am still active as an alumna.

That said, some of the posts in this thread makes me cringe. Sure, we may not like how things are done at IU or some other school--I personally can't imagine a pledge class of 100 girls--but who am I to say that something MUST change? You know what? Sorority membership is, and always has been, exclusive. Isn't that part of the reason why people want to be in them? Each sorority was founded on a particular premise: mine was initially a professional music society. By the mere practice of "membership selection," a sorority is exclusive.

Why should we force any chapter to take girls it doesn't want? What if your group was told "well, you have to take 20 extra girls because the girls who didn't get bids are sad so we need to make them happy." I don't think you'd be too happy about it.

You know what? Life stinks sometimes. If you go to IU and you want to join a sorority, you know you might now get a bid. If not getting a bid is going to ruin your college experience, then that is not AXO or ZTA's or Panhellenic's fault.

Big companies only have a certain amount of spots for jobs. Should we force them to hire more people than they have work for?

Again, I'm sorry that a large number of girls didn't get bids. Hopefully they will find other ways to get involved or will strongly consider joining the new Delta Phi Epsilon chapter. But for any of us who are not a part of the current system to say that it needs to be changed is insulting to the current members and their organizations. We would not appreciate outside involvement in our organizations, so why do we feel we have the right to get involved in theirs?

[silver_blue]

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

I'm sorry for the young women at IU--or anywhere--who didn't get bids into a sorority. Sorority membership has made me a better person and has introduced me to some of my best friends. I am still active as an alumna.

That said, some of the posts in this thread makes me cringe. Sure, we may not like how things are done at IU or some other school--I personally can't imagine a pledge class of 100 girls--but who am I to say that something MUST change? You know what? Sorority membership is, and always has been, exclusive. Isn't that part of the reason why people want to be in them? Each sorority was founded on a particular premise: mine was initially a professional music society. By the mere practice of "membership selection," a sorority is exclusive.

Why should we force any chapter to take girls it doesn't want? What if your group was told "well, you have to take 20 extra girls because the girls who didn't get bids are sad so we need to make them happy." I don't think you'd be too happy about it.

You know what? Life stinks sometimes. If you go to IU and you want to join a sorority, you know you might now get a bid. If not getting a bid is going to ruin your college experience, then that is not AXO or ZTA's or Panhellenic's fault.

Big companies only have a certain amount of spots for jobs. Should we force them to hire more people than they have work for?

Again, I'm sorry that a large number of girls didn't get bids. Hopefully they will find other ways to get involved or will strongly consider joining the new Delta Phi Epsilon chapter. But for any of us who are not a part of the current system to say that it needs to be changed is insulting to the current members and their organizations. We would not appreciate outside involvement in our organizations, so why do we feel we have the right to get involved in theirs?

Sorry, but no. I know how their system works as I went through recruitment there before transferring. It is absolutely Panhellenic's fault. They are so attached to their antiquated bed rush system that it leave FORTY PERCENT of women who want to be in a sorority without bids. I'm guessing you didn't go to IU and know nothing about how it works there.

These groups wouldn't be taking 20 girls "they don't want." It's not like they'll have full pledge classes and then just take 20 random girls that didn't end up somewhere. They'll just invite more girls to pref and take a larger pledge class out of women they obviously liked enough to invite to pref.

Is this so hard to understand? It shouldn't be. It's how EVERY OTHER SCHOOL conducts recruitment.

[WhiteRose1912]

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

Why should we force any chapter to take girls it doesn't want? What if your group was told "well, you have to take 20 extra girls because the girls who didn't get bids are sad so we need to make them happy." I don't think you'd be too happy about it.

They're cutting girls they invited to pref. They DO want these girls, they just don't want to lose the reputation of exclusivity. It's not a Tufts situation.

[BlueCarnation]

Originally Posted by silver_blue

Sorry, but no. I know how their system works as I went through recruitment there before transferring. It is absolutely Panhellenic's fault. They are so attached to their antiquated bed rush system that it leave FORTY PERCENT of women who want to be in a sorority without bids. I'm guessing you didn't go to IU and know nothing about how it works there.

These groups wouldn't be taking 20 girls "they don't want." It's not like they'll have full pledge classes and then just take 20 random girls that didn't end up somewhere. They'll just invite more girls to pref and take a larger pledge class out of women they obviously liked enough to invite to pref.

Is this so hard to understand? It shouldn't be. It's how EVERY OTHER SCHOOL conducts recruitment.

If joining a sorority is your main reason for going to college, then go to one of those OTHER SCHOOLS. I have plenty of friends from IU who were in sororities. I know how it works.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I think you're on point that SOME girls wouldn't be interested because of the loss of the extreme level of exclusivity the system now holds. But based on the success of Greek systems around the country of all different sizes and stripes, it would still be wildly successful in anyone's estimation. Would it leave out the huge byotch who is only in it because it proves she's better than everyone else? Maybe. Loss to anyone? Absolutely not. Instead of 1600 girls rushing, maybe 1575 would. Let's even say 1500 would. But then what about the girls who won't rush now because this system is lunacy? Then we go right back to 1600 and my guess is it would jump to 1700.

And it might jump even higher if girls knew they didn't HAVE to live in the house. Not everyone wants to have 40+ roommates.

[silver_blue]

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

If joining a sorority is your main reason for going to college, then go to one of those OTHER SCHOOLS. I have plenty of friends from IU who were in sororities. I know how it works.

I agree, and I would encourage high school ladies lurking around GOMI to go somewhere other than IU if sorority membership is crucial for their college experience (nothing wrong with that, that's how I felt and still feel, hence why I transferred).

However, I don't think that IU gets a free pass on never changing their stupid bed quota system. First of all, I don't think a lot of potential freshmen know just how competitive it is or they are typical 18 year olds who know that THEY can get into a sorority. Unfortunately the numbers aren't on their side.

Sort of beating a dead horse in this thread at this point, but the only way things will ever change is if the IU administration makes panehl change things, and I just don't see that happening.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

If joining a sorority is your main reason for going to college, then go to one of those OTHER SCHOOLS. I have plenty of friends from IU who were in sororities. I know how it works.

Not everybody has $15,000 - $20,000 extra dollars to spend every year to go to an out-of-state school or a private school. IU is a deal for in-state students. They shouldn't be forced to choose between tuition dollars and Greek Life.

Not when this problem is an artificially created problem that can be easily corrected.