pledging as a senior - Page 3

shinerbock · #31 02-01-2006, 02:29 AM

My problem with this, is that if you're joining a half decent fraternity, half of your last year will be pledging. Pledging is a character building experience, so if you want to do that, go for it. Being in a fraternity, I can't imagine someone coming in for one semester, not really being close with anyone, and making a big difference. Sorry, just don't think it is feasible.

mcellpe · #32 02-01-2006, 11:22 AM

Geez, some of the posters here sound like they would't dare pledge and upperclassman because they wouldn't be able to haze the crap out of them. Better to get the young, naive ones, right?

Bottom line here is you will never know if you fit in unless you give rush a try. If a house wants you, you will know. If you get blackballed for one of the silly ass reasons that are posted in this thread, then you should feel fortunate, because you probably wouldn't want to be a member of such a shallow group anyway.

Again, best of luck to you. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Little E · #33 02-01-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shinerbock
My problem with this, is that if you're joining a half decent fraternity, half of your last year will be pledging. Pledging is a character building experience, so if you want to do that, go for it. Being in a fraternity, I can't imagine someone coming in for one semester, not really being close with anyone, and making a big difference. Sorry, just don't think it is feasible.

Come on. Older pledges can bring something to a generally younger pledge class.

We are always getting pissy on here because people generalize the greek experience and consider it something that is only for college. Fact of the matter is that your experience is what you make of it.

Quala67 · #34 02-01-2006, 12:04 PM

I pledged Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity as a Junior, and my senior year I was a program chair (Girl Scouting).

I've been an Alumni Volunteer for over 10 years, so I've definitely been able to make a difference and be close to many Brothers over the years.

OPhiARen3 · #35 02-01-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Little E
Come on. Older pledges can bring something to a generally younger pledge class.

We are always getting pissy on here because people generalize the greek experience and consider it something that is only for college. Fact of the matter is that your experience is what you make of it.

My fiance is a fourth year who is pledging now (granted, he won't graduate until May '07 because of the program he's in, so he's not your standard fourth year), and he seems to be enjoying himself. He's the oldest pledge, but I think he likes being able to help the other guys with their homework

Besides, they've had fourth years pledge the past few pledge classes, so they're used to it.

I'm really proud of him for doing this - it's something different that he never thought he'd do

adpiucf · #36 02-01-2006, 12:45 PM

I wonder if the OP has been back at all since he posted this...

shinerbock · #37 02-01-2006, 01:40 PM

Haha no, my problem is that we wouldnt get to "haze" them. They would get treated like all the others. There are no free passes.

TSteven · #38 02-01-2006, 02:01 PM

While pledging a senior may not be the norm, it certainly isn't unheard of. The usual scenario is that he is either a transfer student (maybe transferred in as a junior and waited a year to get acclimated to the campus etc.) or he is friends with members of a specific chapter or chapters. But there are also men who come to realize that they would like to be part of a fraternity and decide to seek membership.

Most fraternity chapters do not have to worry about being over quota or over total. So pledging a senior (upperclassman), who is a good fit with the chapter and worthy of membership, should not be an issue.

shinerbock · #39 02-01-2006, 02:36 PM

I think we've taken a couple of guys who just got to school at an older age. I think you're right though, there are several factors. One of my buddies worked a couple years before college, so he was older when he got here. I just don't like the idea of someone being here for only a year. Basically, it would be the same idea as having someone switch from a mediocre school to a prominant one, at the very end, just for the diploma. Not saying their motives are bad, but I think thats the impression many others would get. On another note, we don't take anyone who has ever pledged anywhere else, so that would be another thing to consider.

PhoenixAzul · #40 02-01-2006, 03:42 PM

my roommate (and my former RA) pledged my sorority as a Junior. While it was difficult at times for her to bond with the pledge class, they learned a TON from her. We put her in charge of scholarship because she allready knew the ropes, knew the contacts, and was kick-ass at organization because she had allready experienced all the pitfalls that come with college life. I think too much emphasis can be placed on the freshman to upperclassman interaction, and not enough on the upperclassman to freshman connection. Don't know if that made sense, but the basic thing is that the upperclassmen bring a completely new set of skills to the underclass pledges, and this can be EXTREMELY helpful in the hectic pledging schedule.

Little E · #41 02-01-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shinerbock
Not saying their motives are bad, but I think thats the impression many others would get.

You choose your members based on what others think? And it has enough emphasis that you would seriously consider not bidding a senior?

Rudey · #42 02-01-2006, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by g41965
I not sure why you think a Sr. couldn't contribute, I guess the more interesting question Mr. Frathole is what you think the real purpose of greek life is, I bet that would start a very interesting thread.

A senior that is concentrating on finishing up school, applying to grad school/getting a job, just dealing with senioritis? I think those would be pretty good reasons.

-Rudey

Rudey · #43 02-01-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Little E
You choose your members based on what others think? And it has enough emphasis that you would seriously consider not bidding a senior?

Funny how you care about what others (shinerbock) use to select their members.

You repeatedly come out with these ridiculous moral arguments against people in this forum. It's pretty funny.

-Rudey

KSUViolet06 · #44 02-01-2006, 04:04 PM

Sororities on my campus do bid seniors, though mostly through COB. You don't get very many seniors in formal recruitment.

We've bid seniors before. It just depends. One of my closest sisters' lil sis pledged us a senior and graduated after only one semester as an active (She was a new member in August 2004 and graduated May 2005). She goes to graduate school an hour away, is planning her wedding, and STILL shows up to help with events. She is also active with her area alumnae group.

In contrast, we bid another senior a semester before her (who had a full year of school left). Mind you, during COB she was all about joining and was really excited. She got initiated, all but disappeared, then proceeded to take 5th year alum status the next year. We haven't seen her since.

Moral of the story: It just depends on the person. Being older does not neccessarily mean you won't get as much out of it. But it's also a gamble, because you could take a senior who could end up sucking hardcore.

shinerbock · #45 02-01-2006, 04:17 PM

I absolutely care about what others think. They're my FRATERNITY BROTHERS. We all have a say in this. I'm sure bidding an upperclassman would have advantages that could help the pledge class, however, we keep our pledges on the same plane. Praised together, punished together. Not to mention the incredibly huge difference in joining a sorority, and pledging a fraternity.