University of Alabama Recruitment 2007

[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!

[magnoliacurious]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

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!

So it sounds like you agree with me that fraternities as a whole would have lots more members if they historically had a more emphasized formal rush, am I right? I would think even if the individual ones didn't have a quota, and the popular ones knew about who they wanted already, the upshot of having more go through rush was that several more individual frats would end up taking more new members as well as the system as a whole than would have been the case with most of the recruiting done informally, no? In fact, when I told an Ole Miss fraternity alum who considered going to Alabama out-of-high-school recently about how Alabama frats recruit; he looked surprised and said "that's interesting, I assumed every school did it like this (formal fraternity recruitment)."

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by magnoliacurious

So it sounds like you agree with me that fraternities as a whole would have lots more members if they historically had a more emphasized formal rush, am I right? I would think even if the individual ones didn't have a quota, and the popular ones knew about who they wanted already, the upshot of having more go through rush was that several more individual frats would end up taking more new members as well as the system as a whole than would have been the case with most of the recruiting done informally, no? In fact, when I told an Ole Miss fraternity alum who considered going to Alabama out-of-high-school recently about how Alabama frats recruit; he looked surprised and said "that's interesting, I assumed every school did it like this (formal fraternity recruitment)."

Yes, I do agree. And Alabama DOES have a formal fraternity rush (they still call it rush), but it is extremely small compared to the sororities' formal process.

[magnoliacurious]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Yes, I do agree. And Alabama DOES have a formal fraternity rush (they still call it rush), but it is extremely small compared to the sororities' formal process.

Thanks, that's about what I thought! Yeah, I knew they had a formal rush, but it's been much less important as I understand it than informal recruitment. Although like I've been saying, they have been placing more importance on it, particularly for out-of-state guys and those who don't know which fraternity they want to be in. I guess they've felt they have a good enough number of members and pretty much all the clout and whatever else they may want. But it seems like they could be really, REALLY big!! Just my humble two cents. Thanks again!

[BamaPike]

MANY years ago, there was a "Second Circle" which was in the neighborhood of the Zeta and Phi Mu houses. It disappeared when newer houses were constructed and streets were moved.

As far as the Old Row thing is concerned, when I was at Bama in the mid 80's, the fraternities were Sigma Nu, Phi Gam, Phi, Deke, SAE and KA and the Sororities were Alpha Gam, KD, Chi O, Tri-Delt, Phi Mu and Kappa. If I remember correctly, I think that the Pikes, Sigma Chi's and Alpha Chi's took part in some of the Old Row parties and there may have been other houses like AOPi and Theta Chi.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by BamaPike

MANY years ago, there was a "Second Circle" which was in the neighborhood of the Zeta and Phi Mu houses. It disappeared when newer houses were constructed and streets were moved.

As far as the Old Row thing is concerned, when I was at Bama in the mid 80's, the fraternities were Sigma Nu, Phi Gam, Phi, Deke, SAE and KA and the Sororities were Alpha Gam, KD, Chi O, Tri-Delt, Phi Mu and Kappa. If I remember correctly, I think that the Pikes, Sigma Chi's and Alpha Chi's took part in some of the Old Row parties and there may have been other houses like AOPi and Theta Chi.

Must have been longer ago than 1970! I never heard of "First" or "Second Circle"...just "the Circle." Streets moved???? When? Where?

[AGDLynn]

Streets moved???? When? Where?

Well, hubby was born in Anchorage, AK and the streets had moved b/c of the ice or something decades later, lol.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by AGDLynn

Streets moved???? When? Where?

Well, hubby was born in Anchorage, AK and the streets had moved b/c of the ice or something decades later, lol.

Ah. OK. Are we talking about the University of Alabama or University of Alaska? I kinda doubt Tuscaloosa, Alabama streets would move because of ice!

[BamaPike]

When I said years ago, I meant YEARS like back to the 20's and 30's. I was looking through some old Corolla's (the yearbook not the car!) and saw a map of the old streets. Colonial Drive existed but Magnolia didn't. There was a cul-de-sac off of Colonial that ended in front of the Tri-Delt, Alpha Gam and KD houses hence "First Circle". There was another cul-de-sac off of Colonial somewhere close to the Phi Mu house and ended roughly where the southern part of Magnolia exists today. Don't bet the farm on my info because it's been years since I've seen this info. Also, I should have used "rerouted" instead of moved. We have tornados and hurricanes in Tuscaloosa but thankfully no earthquakes!

[RollTide08]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Must have been longer ago than 1970! I never heard of "First" or "Second Circle"...just "the Circle." Streets moved???? When? Where?

Really? I'm an active member at a UA chapter, and I've always heard it called "First Circle", never just "Circle". The First Circle consists of AGD, Tri-Delt, and KD, and they have a party every other year (the off years they put the money into a float for the homecoming parade.)

[lillylover3]

Originally Posted by BamaPike

MANY years ago, there was a "Second Circle" which was in the neighborhood of the Zeta and Phi Mu houses. It disappeared when newer houses were constructed and streets were moved.

As far as the Old Row thing is concerned, when I was at Bama in the mid 80's, the fraternities were Sigma Nu, Phi Gam, Phi, Deke, SAE and KA and the Sororities were Alpha Gam, KD, Chi O, Tri-Delt, Phi Mu and Kappa. If I remember correctly, I think that the Pikes, Sigma Chi's and Alpha Chi's took part in some of the Old Row parties and there may have been other houses like AOPi and Theta Chi.

OLD ROW [CURRENT]: DKE, SAE, KA, Phi Gam, Phi Delt, Sigma Nu
KD, Chi O, AXO, Phi Mu, AGD, KKG, Tri Delt

each fall and spring, 2 separate shirts are made and given to the designated old row fraternity/sorority. i guess it's snobby, but then again, it's tuscaloosa. also, they're fraternity's and sorority's that join up on a lot of things [ie- DKE/KKG, SAE/KD, KA/Chi O...etc.]

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by lillylover3

OLD ROW [CURRENT]: *DZ used to be on old row but was kicked off for some reason.

Is this statement appropriate?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Is this statement appropriate?

Umm...most of her statements in regards to R haven't been appropriate. Example: When she said that she was shocked that the girl from CT got a bid to KD, because they only take local girls. Way to perpetuate the stereotypes. Good going.

[aopirose]

Titchou, I think that she is talking about "Sip and Sees" and not actual recruitment events. In some areas, HS seniors and maybe their parents are invited to events where they get to meet collegiate and alumnae members. They usually take place in the spring.

[lillylover3]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Is this statement appropriate?

it's not whether it's appropriate, it's just a statement and true fact i was making. someone asked who old row was and i told them.