Senior Apathy?

[DoctorD]

Several GLOs have developed Senior specific programming as a way to increase senior retention, to honor our seniors, to help them transition to alumnae opportunities, etc.

Alpha Gamma Delta is formally implementing Senior specific programming next fall.

[HDL66]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

It depends on when elections are held. Many chapters hold mid-year elections, thus Sophomore and Juniors almost need to take over the roll. Otherwise, a graduating senior will need to vacate her office half-way into the term.

Originally Posted by 33girl

I agree that putting offices on a calendar year (as opposed to academic year) is a contributor to senior apathy and I think it's a really stupid idea that should be disposed of.

If I understand, 33girl, you prefer putting elections on an academic year. I don't agree; I think that mid-year elections are the better alternative. Of course there are pros and cons to any scenario, but I think you may have trouble getting seniors to commit to leadership positions for their entire senior year. Also, no matter how committed a girl is to her house, a last semester senior inevitably changes focus to job or grad school interviews, upcoming marriage plans, location changes etc., all of which commonly follow a final year of school.

Additionally, I think it would be difficult for everyone to come back after the summer to new office responsibilities in the midst of rush. You would also lose the "overlap transistioning" available to new officers who still have the outgoing officer in the house spring semester.

IMHO, one of the most detrimental things to losing senior (and even junior) involvement has been so many upperclassmen living out-of-house. When I was in the house (OK so I'm old--this was the early 80's), no one lived out unless you were doing an internship. Now, almost the only Juniors and Seniors that live in are the officers. Sure we can pledge more girls, but I think it negatively impacts "bonding" with your sisters and also commitment to the organization.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by HDL66

If I understand, 33girl, you prefer putting elections on an academic year. I don't agree; I think that mid-year elections are the better alternative. Of course there are pros and cons to any scenario, but I think you may have trouble getting seniors to commit to leadership positions for their entire senior year. Also, no matter how committed a girl is to her house, a last semester senior inevitably changes focus to job or grad school interviews, upcoming marriage plans, location changes etc., all of which commonly follow a final year of school.

Additionally, I think it would be difficult for everyone to come back after the summer to new office responsibilities in the midst of rush. You would also lose the "overlap transistioning" available to new officers who still have the outgoing officer in the house spring semester.

Not everyone has rush before the school year even starts. And for those groups that do, my understanding is that there's usually a summer work week beforehand.

Students today communicate across hundreds/thousands of miles CONSTANTLY and don't think about it. If an incoming officer has questions, an answer is as close as an email or text.

If an officer has properly transitioned her successor, her not being around shouldn't make a difference. In fact, sometimes having the "past president" (officer, rush chair, etc) around can be bad instead of good, especially if she doesn't want to move on and wants everything to be done the way she did it (even if that way sucked).

If you are carrying 21 credits, trying to get into grad school and planning your wedding, should you be president? Probably not. Could you handle being parliamentarian? Yes, probably.

The more we say "you don't have to do {x, y, z} because you're a senior" the more people will give the least amount they have to give. I feel like we're almost pushing them out the door. I understand you have to have some amount of "letting go" but I think that allowing seniors to have reduced responsibilities should be the exception rather than the norm. Juggling everything is part of life. One of my coworkers is going to school for her masters. She doesn't have reduced responsibilities because of it.

[denitta]

Originally Posted by DoctorD

Several GLOs have developed Senior specific programming as a way to increase senior retention, to honor our seniors, to help them transition to alumnae opportunities, etc.

Alpha Gamma Delta is formally implementing Senior specific programming next fall.

Doctor D -- is there anything you can share with me as to some ideas for Senior specific programming that has been implemented by your organization?

Thanks so much in advance!

[AGDee]

I'm not DoctorD but I am her sorority sister. One piece of the program is that seniors can opt out of certain chapter events and attend some alumnae club/chapter events instead. This part is to transition them into being involved as an alumna! I'm really excited about that part of it because I think it will put more emphasis on lifelong membership. DoctorD knows more about the programming aspect.