Bama recruitment in the "off season"

[Zillini]

*** Please Note: The following is all approved by Alabama Panhellenic. It is NOT considered "dirty rushing". For more specifics on all of these, particularly Panhellenic Preview Weekend, check out Alabama's Recruitment Rulebook (last revised 2008, so don't be confused by the title there) on the UA Greek Website under Policies.



Spring Teas: Starting in mid to late fall, Recruitment teams ask members (older and recently initiated) and alumnae to turn in names and addresses of HS seniors attending the University the following year. Actual Recs shouldn't be sent until late spring or summer, but alumnae can give contact info to a Chapter for these events. These are then used as invitation lists to Spring Teas.

These Teas are hosted by alumnae with actives and pre-PNMs invited. They are usually held in a major urban/central locations, i.e. Alabama (Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa), Georgia (often Atlanta), Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida. The number and locations depend on how active/willing the alumnae are. Teas typically start around Christmas through the end of the spring semester when the "No contact" period starts (often May 1).

Panhellenic Preview Weekend: This is held around the first weekend in April. Invitations are mailed by Panhellenic to all female students who have already been accepted by the University. There is then a sign up on the UA Greek Life website to accept the invitation.

On the Friday night most Chapters hold invitational "Meet 'n Greets". Many pre-PNMs attend more than one. On Saturday there are Panhellenic presentations on what to expect in Recruitment as well as the Greek system as a whole. There is also a presentation for parents. Starting last year each Chapter set up a table at this main event with actives present to field questions and provide financial obligation info.

A tour of all Chapters is held afterwards. Each Chapter is allowed a certain number of actives in their house to meet and field questions from pre-PNMs and parents. Another social event may be hosted that evening by the Chapter provided there is no alcohol or men invited, but these are less common.

Active members can invite pre-PNMs to stay with them for this weekend. Each Chapter must turn in a list of those pre-PNMs and the actives they are staying with. Pre-PNMs cannot stay in a Chapter house.

FYI - Last year Preview Weekend and a Greek BBQ/block party (Saturday) were scheduled the same weekend. It went over very well and I suspect a similar schedule will be adopted this year.


How can a PNM get on a Chapter's radar to be invited to these Spring Teas or Meet 'n Greets?

- Just like with finding Rec writers, start reaching out to as many Greek people you can. Look for Greek alumnae you know in all areas of life and girls you know from HS that went Greek. While it is better if they attend(ed) Bama (mostly because they know about this spring process), it is not necessary. Any alumna or active can forward contact info to a Chapter.

- Last year was the inaugural year of Crimson Tidings. I am not sure if a date has been set for this year yet, but it should be just prior to or shortly after Thanksgiving (due to finals being right around the corner.) This is a Panhellenic and IFC wide event supported by the University Administration. (NPHC was invited but did not participate.) Promos were sent (hard copies and emails) to Greek and University alumnae, identified pre-PNMs, High Schools, ads were placed in newspapers, etc.

Crimson Tidings is a walking tour of all Chapter houses to see them decorated for Christmas. Anyone can attend who is interested and buys a ticket (maybe $10 per?). All proceeds are divided amongst the participating Chapters for their I/natl philanthropy. Actives are present in each house and this is a good time for pre-PNMs to meet them.

- Most incoming freshmen visit/tour a campus. Contact Panhellenic or alumnae you know to try to set up a tour of sorority houses. Often times they can set this up and you can meet some members.


Will it hurt a PNM's chances if she doesn't attend/get invited to these events?

Maybe yes, maybe no. The purpose of all these are to let the actives get to know PNMs and vice versa. This way decisions aren't based only on the stressful and ridiculously short 15 minutes of an Open House party (and for the Chapters Recs, resumes, and grades). Decisions can be made more accurately based on personality and "fit".

Many PNMs who do not attend any of these functions and weren't on anyone's "radar" still receive bids to great Chapters. They have sparkling personalities that shine through in the limited time of Formal Recruitment, have great resumes, GPAs, Recs, etc.

On the flip side, I know of many PNMs that actives felt based on knowing them from the Spring function(s) would not be a good fit. PNMs need to remember these spring activities are part of Recruitment. You need to show your best side at all times. This is especially true if invited to spend Panhellenic Preview Weekend with an active. I've heard some real horror stories about PNM antics on these visits.

Point being, just because someone is invited/attended spring events is not a guarantee of getting a bid or even not getting released early in the process.

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Weighing in here until Zillini (the authority) can post

I am honored.

[DubaiSis]

Do you want to know why the SEC schools Greek systems are so big? THIS. I'm astounded reading this. Every girl who has any interest in joining a sorority must be jumping out of her skin by the time recruitment actually starts. Now, how do we get the Big 10 schools to take heed?

Of course, I can see a lot of potential for dirty rushing, and I can also see 17 year old girls misinterpreting a get-to-know-you invitation as an early invitation for membership, but I'm sure the members and alums take care to minimize this. Otherwise this board wouldn't have several complaints; they'd have hundreds.

And why don't you have every sorority represented on your campuses? It sure sounds like you could absorb them.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Do you want to know why the SEC schools Greek systems are so big? THIS. I'm astounded reading this. Every girl who has any interest in joining a sorority must be jumping out of her skin by the time recruitment actually starts. Now, how do we get the Big 10 schools to take heed?

Of course, I can see a lot of potential for dirty rushing, and I can also see 17 year old girls misinterpreting a get-to-know-you invitation as an early invitation for membership, but I'm sure the members and alums take care to minimize this. Otherwise this board wouldn't have several complaints; they'd have hundreds.

And why don't you have every sorority represented on your campuses? It sure sounds like you could absorb them.

What for????? I am assuming this remark comes because your school does not have deferred recruitment.

At my school and I would never want it that way. Big 10 schools are different, period! And remember, not every Big 10 school has fall recruitment, so what would be the point?

I won't speak for the other 10 universities, but I would really get on my soap box if Panhellenic did something like this because. Frankly, we don't see the "ABC girls are all blonde and from Metro Center and the poor EFG girls are sociallly awkward and from Podunkville". Girls from out of state have an equal chance of pledging the way it is. Also, with deferred recruitment, PNMs have three months to meet students, line up their recs (which are not needed) and attend "meet the Greek" events.

If OSU with its 52,000 students had greater than 5% in the Greek System, one of two things would happen.

1. Students would go bidless where now a bid is nearly guaranteed to anyone who keeps an open mind (many houses don't take quota, nor are they at total)

2. The Greek System would need to expand and there is no physical space to do so. Many of the houses of chapters that have left campus have been sold and converted to apartments and are now a wreck (SDT and Phi Mu come to mind) or purchased by a Fraternity and smell of beer (old ADPi and ZTA houses). Apartment owners won't sell back to the Greek system because they have been salivating for property on 15th for decades.

I have said this before and I'll say it again, many of the schools in the Big 10 are in large metro areas where students don't need the Greek system to find something to do. Granted, your school may not be in that category, but don't assume the entire Big 10 is in your shoes.

I can't speak for the other Big 10 schools, but Greek Life at OSU is pretty laid back and that is the way we like it. Students don't get stressed out about not getting into the "right" house, Sophomores/Juniors can easily get into solid chapters and friendships are made before recruitment and last throughout your four years.

Is there dirty rushing? Absolutely. Does it happen in every house? No.

I love the system at DePauw. First semester Freshman are permitted to attend lunch one time in each chapter. I'm not sure how they schedule it, but it gives all girls an equal chance of getting to know the chapter before recruitment. Besides the group house tours, this is the only time PNMs can go into a house during the first semester.

Maybe, instead of suggesting that 'the Big 10 take heed', suggest they move recruitment to spring at your school.

ETA...when I went through "rush", we did not have deferred recruitment and I would rather have had it deferred. Right now, I work with a local chapter and will help at Pref next Saturday and it's just too complicated having it so soon.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

I have said this before and I'll say it again, many of the schools in the Big 10 are in large metro areas where students don't need the Greek system to find something to do. Granted, your school may not be in that category, but don't assume the entire Big 10 is in your shoes.

That's actually rather foolish.

The Big 10 average city size is approximately (and this is a pretty rough estimation 189,000.) The SEC average city size is only 155,000.

I guess a tiny town the size of 34,000 reallllly makes a different.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

That's actually rather foolish.

The Big 10 average city size is approximately (and this is a pretty rough estimation 189,000.) The SEC average city size is only 155,000.

I guess a tiny town the size of 34,000 reallllly makes a different.

Would you look at Northwestern as Evanston or Chicago? Yes, if you are using the 74,000 population, I can see where you get your numbers. Evanston is in Cook County, hence Chicago;

• Cook County = Chicago = 2.8 million people.
• Columbus > 3/4 million
• Madison: 1/4 million
• Ann Arbor is less than one hour from Detroit
• Iowa City - You win; it's not a metro area.

You do the math.

[DubaiSis]

I didn't mean to touch a nerve. What I was getting at is by having all of these early events the southern schools are building interest and enthusiasm in sorority life. I don't see it as a way to weed out girls or make it scary. I think it must make girls excited to be part of it.

But I don't accept the fact that Greek systems are only good in small cities and towns. Raleigh-Durham isn't exactly waiting for cable tv these days, as an example.

I understand that Greek systems in the Midwest are not the same as those in the South, but a good marketing plan is a good marketing plan. I think there must be some way to adapt this process of informational parties in the spring of a girl's senior year of high school while she's talking with the other girls who are also making their plans for next fall.

Again, I apologize for offending anyone.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I didn't mean to touch a nerve. What I was getting at is by having all of these early events the southern schools are building interest and enthusiasm in sorority life. I don't see it as a way to weed out girls or make it scary. I think it must make girls excited to be part of it.

The enthusiasm is already there. They do these events because they have a zillion Greek alum parents and prospective members contacting them every day asking for it.

A good comparison: department stores in Pittsburgh don't sell Steelers gear to "build enthusiasm" for the team. They sell it because people are already psychotically excited about the team and they'll make beaucoup bucks. This is simply giving the people what they want.