Indiana University Recruitment

[VAgirl18]

Originally Posted by IUHoosiergirl88

I really have no opinion on the bed versus quota debate, I think there are advantages to each, and if we went to quota...quite frankly I think we'd have no choice but to add another chapter due to the number of girls that have to be placed.

VAgirl leaves out one crucial group though: the sophomore rush group, which I was a part of last year. I saw girls get cut from all houses after the first round, all but one, or all but two, and they were the one or two that they wanted to cut because they didn't click with them. As a sophomore, unless you ARE that girl with the friends/money/looks/etc, it's a very very tough road, often full of tears. I was in half-sophomore half freshman rho gamma group (so ~10-12 sophomores), and of the sophomores...only 2 of them got bids, 3 if you count my COB later. One actually was rushing for a second time because she wanted to go greek that bad, got cut again, and transferred out of IU. She's now a member of a house at an SEC school (don't ask me how, I have no idea, haha).

I just think that IU's system does have some flaws, and I'm saying that as a current member. We change the party structure this year, but I really don't necessarily see that helping much. It gives a chance for houses to invite back girls that they are borderline on, but does that translate to bids? I really don't think so.

You can't add another house when there are houses that still have space. It will never happen. Before that, a house would have to close and would most likely be given the chance to recolonize a few years later. They would probably form an agreement with a closing house so that no other houses will open during their dormancy.

Being a sophomore seriously isn't much of an issue. The problem stems from many women going through the process for a second time. Though people deserve second chances, many women acted horribly immature to the point of being remembered the next year and automatically getting cut. Another huge faux pas is getting invited to a few homes and then deciding not to continue with rush. They're most likely going to get those houses back during their second time through and why would a house want someone who didn't even have the respect to attend the party they were invited to the year before? THAT'S where the cuts stem from. That and if you're a sophomore, more people know you from seeing you around campus or being around class. Remember to be nice to everyone. If we hear you talking about people during class or being less than classy at frats, chances are you're getting cut for that reason.

The fact is that not all people are meant to be in houses and just because one wants to be in a house doesn't mean they are a good fit for any of the houses on campus. Its unfortunate that they can't find a fit, but they're naive to think that they automatically deserve a spot because they participated.

The other think I think is going to backfire is increasing the number of invites. Its already a daunting task to go from 12, 6, and 3 parties in a few days. Adding more parties is just going to increase fatigue. People may not be putting their best foot forward just for the simple fact that they're tired. Another flaw is that people think just because they only got 3 houses instead of invited back for 12 that they're not sorority material. Obviously someone thought something of you to invite you back. There are no houses that automatically invite everyone back, contrary to popular belief.

[IUGreekGirl]

VAGirl,
There are a good number of women that go through rush and decide to drop out. Like you said, not everyone can be Greek. But rush is the time where girls who are considering Greek life find out if it's a community they want to be a part of. And some of those girls get houses back and chose not to go through with it, not because of petty reasons. But because they have decided that Greek life in general isn't for them. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But the numbers show that the majority of women who are left without a bid on bidday have gone though the process as far as the process would allow them to go, have made grades, and have had a good clean rush. Our Rho Gammas strongly advise us against suiciding, and out of all the girls I've met who've gone through rush- I only know one who suicided. And she got that house.

I take issue with the sentiment that it's PNMs who have problems, and not the system. PNMs are completely educated by the Rho Gams as to the wrong ways to act, and the fact that just because you know a girl in a house or are a legacy there is no sure way into a bid. We all know how competitive rush is, so we put our best foot forward and hope that we either get a bid, or decide that it isn't for us. As a collegiate who has recently been on both sides of recruitment, I think that most of the PNMs understand fully what is good taste and bad taste during rush. That isn't to say that there are exceptions, there are rude girls, but with 1500 PNMs and you're trying to narrow that down to 40 girls for a new pledge class, it isn't difficult to weed out.

As to the bed quota system, I've decided for myself that it's a necessary evil, but ultimately fair, way to determine quota number. The fact that all our chapters are different sizes is truly an asset to the uniqueness of each chapter, and the IU Greek Community as a whole. However, out of the 19 chapters, only one has in recent years not made quota. The rest have more girls interested in the house that they can possibly take. While I think the bed quota system should stay, it is increasingly evident that another chapter should be invited to colonize on campus. There is more than enough interest in Greek Life to support another chapter, and I have faith that IUHoosierGirl88 and VAgirl's house will be again making quota very soon.

[xp2k]

Originally Posted by VAgirl18

You can't add another house when there are houses that still have space. It will never happen. Before that, a house would have to close and would most likely be given the chance to recolonize a few years later. They would probably form an agreement with a closing house so that no other houses will open during their dormancy.

This actually isnt the case.

A struggling chapter should rarely (if ever) be used as an excuse to hold off expansion.

IU (re)added AOII in 99/2000. Not only was the colony able to get 150 girls, but the excitement that they generated encouraged MORE women to go through recruitment which in turned helped increase pledge size classes for a few chapters that were a little shy of the numbers they needed.

The chapter that was struggling didnt die...but still continues to struggle.

Had the university held off on adding a sorority to "help" the struggling group...that would be another 50+ women per year who would not have the opportunity to go greek.

A good friend of mine is helping the struggling chapter and I think they're going to be on a great upswing in the next few years. This year's recruitment will be very crucial. Keep the momentum going ladies!

I think IU could maybe add one more sorority for the time being.