Rush at UofA - Page 3

Zillini · #31 04-30-2008, 10:01 AM

Speaking solely about Bama sorority recruitment, yes HS Seniors and to some extent even Juniors are recruited already in HS. There was a time when it was pretty much a free-for-all (my opinion anyways). Panhellenic finally realized some controls needed to be put in place both out of fairness in recruiting as well as the risk management issues. Now all recruitment functions such as spring teas and other summer get togethers should be registered with Panhellenic and the appropriate guidelines followed.

I can't say that non-registered functions don't still occur. But if a group is caught they face severe consequences. I know that a few years ago one sorority was placed on social probation by both the Univ and their Inat'l after getting caught taking pnm's to a summer fraternity party. That group's former recruitment chair spoke of the consequences they had to deal with at a recruitment advisors meeting.

As a parent I can't imagine sending my high school child to visit campus for a weekend of underaged drinking with my blessing. I've heard stories of some of these visiting pnms getting busted by the cops both for underaged drinking and MIL (minor in lounge). That's got to be fun, calling mom & dad for bail money then having to deal with the legal problems afterwards.

KSUViolet06 · #32 04-30-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zillini

Speaking solely about Bama sorority recruitment, yes HS Seniors and to some extent even Juniors are recruited already in HS.

You mean the sororities actually knew that they wanted someone and they were just a junior? Was this a mutual thing--like both XYZ and Julie Junior both know that Julie is going to be XYZ when she comes to Bama?

I can see where this could cause all SORTS of interesting drama.

For example, Julie is one of the most desirable "PNMs" (if you can even call them that in junior year of HS) junior year, but somehow becomes less desirable (small drop in grades or she quits an activity that made her desireable to the sorority), yet still thinks she is coming to Bama to be an XYZ (when unbeknownst to her, XYZ has moved on and is no longer really interested in her). Or Julie comes to Bama with the intent of going XYZ, but once recruitment rolls around, XYZ has found some new, better "rush crushes" and drops Julie halfway through because they only have so many invites to give out.

Do these sorts of scenarios happen often with the "pre-recruiting/dirty rushing" going on?

baci · #33 04-30-2008, 10:18 AM

IMO, this is so ridiculous and it is such an unfair playing ground for all. I am sure I would not want to be a part of this. I feel for the girls coming from out of state that just want a fair shot at recruitment.

I really wonder how any PNM at that age or even a freshman in college really know what it truly entails to be part of a sorority. So many young members have little clue about what membership really is about and how important being an alumnae is. It is not about being "chosen" at 17 or 18 in high school and being slected to be in a certain organization for social reasons or for connections. (that is the easy part) It really is about what happens at age 21 and older that keeps each organization strong. These women are the glue.

AnchorAlumna · #34 04-30-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Do these sorts of scenarios happen often with the "pre-recruiting/dirty rushing" going on?

Every year.

Daughter is now graduated, but she knew several local girls who were bombarded with notes and invitations to parties both their junior and senior years...invitations to stay at the sorority house and go to the fraternity parties...and many of them did go.
Her own group's alumnae hosted summer teas in Mobile and Birmingham, and they continued to send small gifts to top choices, even through recruitment. E-mails to members (she told me; I never looked myself) always admonished members "don't tell ANYBODY" because of Panhellenic sanctions.
If you're going to have a chapter at Alabama, you dirty rush or you die. It's just the way it is and always has been.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baci

I really wonder how any PNM at that age or even a freshman in college really know what it truly entails to be part of a sorority.

Of course they don't know! They might have a clue from an older sister or friend. Some of them think they know because they've been in a high school sorority. Somebody who thinks she knows where she's going could be right...but often she's wrong. It's one of the things I like so much about the new recruitment method where the bigger chapters are forced to drop more PNMs earlier. They then have to take another look at the smaller groups if they want a sorority. Unfortunately, many believe "it's XYZ or nothing" and they just drop out (see Ole Miss!). And that's why I wonder if UA would truly support another 2 groups.

nittanyalum · #35 04-30-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

If you're going to have a chapter at Alabama, you dirty rush or you die. It's just the way it is and always has been.

And yet that system seems to be held up in such high regard as a "great" and "strong" greek system. What are we teaching the kids in those systems about how to operate in their adult lives? Do whatever you have to do to get what you want, no matter how backhanded? And you can't tell me the national offices aren't fully aware of what's going on down there. Fish always stink from the head, as my grandfather always said.

KSUViolet06 · #36 04-30-2008, 10:38 AM

How often does it happen that a girl who is heavily dirty rushed and invited to events as a HS junior end up getting let down by the sorority who was "recruiting" her? Like my above example of XYZ dropping the girl they've been saying they wanted since she was a junior? Or XYZ "getting over" the PNM by the time she gets to college (for any number of reasons)?

baci · #37 04-30-2008, 10:44 AM

This is all so superficial! I was not born ages ago and I know there is some level of dirty rushing, but where I come from I have never heard of this. I really wonder what percentage of the these young girls will truly help their org once they graduate? Who will be "core" members and make a difference. I feel sorry for my little girl when I think about all this.

baci · #38 04-30-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

How often does it happen that a girl who is heavily dirty rushed and invited to events as a HS junior end up getting let down by the sorority who was "recruiting" her? Like my above example of XYZ dropping the girl they've been saying they wanted since she was a junior? Or XYZ "getting over" the PNM by the time she gets to college (for any number of reasons)?

If I had to guess, there is a larger percentage that she will not make it into that house. If a group dirty rushes, they probably do so with numerous girls and make countless promises. We all know that they can't take them all. They are offering a dream or a faint promise to a young girl. (who knows, these days maybe these PNM's are smarter than we think)

Elephant Walk · #39 04-30-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

And yet that system seems to be held up in such high regard as a "great" and "strong" greek system. What are we teaching the kids in those systems about how to operate in their adult lives? Do whatever you have to do to get what you want, no matter how backhanded? And you can't tell me the national offices aren't fully aware of what's going on down there. Fish always stink from the head, as my grandfather always said.

Are you serious?

I was going to ask about your chromosome count, but I decided to take the high road.

nittanyalum · #40 04-30-2008, 10:52 AM

^^^I'm talking NPC, here, EW, not fraternities.

AnchorAlumna · #41 04-30-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

How often does it happen that a girl who is heavily dirty rushed and invited to events as a HS junior end up getting let down by the sorority who was "recruiting" her?

Frequently...

Quote:

Originally Posted by baci

I really wonder what percentage of the these young girls will truly help their org once they graduate?

It's been my experience that about 5% of all members will participate as alumnae, no matter what their collegiate experience was.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Are you serious?I was going to ask about your chromosome count, but I decided to take the high road.

You've changed your ways, eh?

Elephant Walk · #42 04-30-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

^^^I'm talking NPC, here, EW, not fraternities.

I realize this.

Zillini · #43 04-30-2008, 10:57 AM

Please keep in mind that I am referring to officially sanctioned/registered recruitment functions. Perhaps it's the phrase "recruited while in HS" that gives such negative connatations. This is not dirty rushing and there are rules about what can be said/done. Honestly it's a positive thing.

These events are educational and often not limited only to one Univ. Typically they are hosted by alums in that area and actives are invited to attend. They are intended as positive Panhellenic contact as well as giving both actives and pnm's a way to get to know each other better than the 15 minutes allotted in the 1st round of recruitment. PNM's also get the opportunity to meet alums who they can then contact for help in securing recs.

These events occur all over the state in the larger cities and in the surrounding states. Off the top of my head I'm aware of teas that have been planned/held in Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville. Is it fair to someone coming in from say Texas or Calif? Not really, but attending one of these functions is not a pre-requisite to getting a bid. My chapter has extended a great many bids to women both both in-state and out that never attended any of these or even knew about them.

33girl · #44 04-30-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zillini

Please keep in mind that I am referring to officially sanctioned/registered recruitment functions. Perhaps it's the phrase "recruited while in HS" that gives such negative connatations. This is not dirty rushing and there are rules about what can be said/done. Honestly it's a positive thing.

I think people were referring more to AnchorAlumna's scenarios than yours.

Getting to know HS women outside of formal rush? OK. Giving them chances to meet multiple sororities? OK. Telling a 16 year old girl she's got a bid "locked up" and thereby probably preventing her from looking at all the groups? Not OK. Taking her to fraternity parties? Definitely not OK.

AnchorAlumna · #45 04-30-2008, 11:38 AM

These teas were definitely NOT Panhellenic-type teas...they were strictly 1-group recruitment events...hence the secrecy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think people were referring more to AnchorAlum's scenarios than yours...Telling a 16 year old girl she's got a bid "locked up" and thereby probably preventing her from looking at all the groups? Not OK. Taking her to fraternity parties? Definitely not OK.

I doubt they told her she had a bid locked up, but from their actions, she THOUGHT she had a bid. That's usually what happens. I was a bad mother for not letting my high-school aged daughter go to fraternity parties. Hey! I was that age once...I know what goes on there!

(Oh, and I'm AnchorAlumna...AnchorAlum is from a different part of the country!)