Release From Bid?

ASTalumna06 · #1 10-09-2009, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kl10

I went through Formal Recruitment recently, and at our school they don't allow PNM to drop a sorority, we have to rank the final two after Pref Night. I ended up getting a bid from a sorority I didn't really feel comfortable with. (Great girls, just not the place for me) Well, I received the bid, and my rho gamma told me to go to the bid day, and give them another shot. I did, but that night after leaving bid day, I decided I really couldn't see myself in that GLO for life. So I declined my bid. I've read on some of the threads here that a sorority can release a PNM from a bid, making her eligible to participate in COB in the Spring. Is this true? Also, is it Panhellenic rules to not allow PNM's to drop a sorority? My #1 choice has had a few girls drop for various reasons, and I think they'll be participating in COB in the Spring, so I was really hoping I could try.

Thanks everyone! If I missed a specific thread about this sorry, but I didn't see one dedicated to a situation like this.

I've never heard of anyone being REQUIRED to rank a sorority before, and I wouldn't think that was the case. But someone correct me if I'm wrong.

If you went to bid day, I'm assuming that means that you actually did accept your bid, which means that you're not eligible to pledge another sorority for one year (i.e. Fall 2010).

littleowl33 · #2 10-09-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I've never heard of anyone being REQUIRED to rank a sorority before, and I wouldn't think that was the case. But someone correct me if I'm wrong.

When I went through recruitment, we were told we weren't allowed to suicide or we would be "disqualified"(??) from recruitment. There were only 4 chapters and one was reallyyy struggling, so I think it was to try to protect them from having no one on Bid Day. Whether that's Green Book kosher or not, I don't know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kddani

The only time I've ever heard of panhellenic releasing someone from a bid is in the event of a chapter being shut down, etc. for risk management violations. In that case, it wasn't fair to the new members to be obligated to a group for a calendar year that didn't exist on campus anymore.

When an NPC chapter on my campus closed due to risk management issues this Spring, their New Members were totally released from any obligation to that organization. One of the NMs did COB and join a different org this fall. I think the others may be holding out for FR this Spring. In any event, I think that's the only case in which you don't have to wait a year.

I'm sorry things didn't work out for you, OP, and I hope you find your home. Like many of the other posters I would have recommended you stick it out for a few weeks since you have to wait a year anyway, but at this point, what's done is done. I understand not wanting to go through FR again since it can be a pretty intense experience - but if you really want to be in a sorority, that may be your only option. You can ask if any groups usually do COB immediately following FR, but that's a gamble because if they have a good recruitment and go over chapter total (and therefore don't need to do COB), you're out of luck. Waiting until sophomore spring to COB may be too late depending on your campus.

PenguinTrax · #3 10-12-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I've never heard of anyone being REQUIRED to rank a sorority before, and I wouldn't think that was the case.

FSU requires PNMs to fill their rank cards with all available chapters. They are not allowed to 'drop' a sorority chapter, just rank them low.

BlueCarnation · #4 10-12-2009, 11:32 PM

If you are unsure about something so important, ask someone higher up than a rho gamma. You are signing your name to a binding document. This is a major decision, and it amazes me that so many young women think they can just be "released" and be done with it. When you sign your lease for next year, make sure you read the language in it so you know what you're getting in to. You won't be able to decide 2 days into living in your apartment that you don't like it and just pick a new one.

33girl · #5 10-12-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenguinTrax

FSU requires PNMs to fill their rank cards with all available chapters. They are not allowed to 'drop' a sorority chapter, just rank them low.

including at bid time?

PenguinTrax · #6 10-13-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

including at bid time?

No, when they sign their bid card, they can include as many or as few chapters as desired based on their invites for Pref.

33girl · #7 10-13-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenguinTrax

No, when they sign their bid card, they can include as many or as few chapters as desired based on their invites for Pref.

What if they don't put down any of the chapters they went to pref at and instead put down chapters that released them? Are they allowed to do that?

KSUViolet06 · #8 10-13-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

What if they don't put down any of the chapters they went to pref at and instead put down chapters that released them? Are they allowed to do that?

As far as I know, PNMs CAN do that.

I mean, you probably aren't going to get a bid if you do that, and it's best to only list where you went.

But as far as I know, you're allowed.

PenguinTrax · #9 10-13-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

What if they don't put down any of the chapters they went to pref at and instead put down chapters that released them? Are they allowed to do that?

No, I believe that they are not allowed to put down chapters that did not invite them to pref. That said, if they can only attend 3 Pref parties, but get invited to four, I suppose #4 could make it on the list, if they decided to pass on 1, 2, or 3. Not sure. I'll ask my local RFM specialist and see what she says.

MaggieXi · #10 10-14-2009, 05:31 AM

I think the fact that the bid is binding upon signing should be stressed throughout recruitment - not just at bid signing. Most bid signing happens right after Pref and many PNMs are emotional, confused, tired and are anxious to get signing, go hang out with their friends and relax after a LONG week. To ask a PNM to read the fine print and listen intently to exactly what is being said before they sign their bid card is asking a lot.

To be honest, I'm 30 years old and in the legal field - if I was emotional, confused, tired and anxious and someone shoved a piece of paper in front of me, made me listen to a potentially boring lecture on directions on how to fill out a form - I would probably tune them out too and might miss very important information.

WCsweet<3 · #11 10-13-2009, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I've never heard of anyone being REQUIRED to rank a sorority before, and I wouldn't think that was the case. But someone correct me if I'm wrong.

If you went to bid day, I'm assuming that means that you actually did accept your bid, which means that you're not eligible to pledge another sorority for one year (i.e. Fall 2010).

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenguinTrax

FSU requires PNMs to fill their rank cards with all available chapters. They are not allowed to 'drop' a sorority chapter, just rank them low.

There is a new PHC rule at my campus is that any PNM that skips a party or signs their pref card with one sorority is kicked out of recruitment.

33girl · #12 10-13-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCsweet<3

There is a new PHC rule at my campus is that any PNM that skips a party or signs their pref card with one sorority is kicked out of recruitment.

When you say "pref card" do you mean the card they sign before they go to pref parties, or the card they sign before bids are issued? Because NO ONE should EVER be forced to put a group on their bid card they don't want - they could be bound to that group for a year.

CutiePie2000's bid card signing from hell experience

KSUViolet06 · #13 10-13-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCsweet<3

There is a new PHC rule at my campus is that any PNM that skips a party or signs their pref card with one sorority is kicked out of recruitment.

See, I have heard of PNMs being released for skipping parties (because PNMs should at least attend all events they're invited to).

However, are you sure the "signing a pref card with one sorority= kicked out" thing isn't a myth?

I know that it is a common misconception that ICS (the computer program) kicks out those women who "suicide" or ISP.

That's actually NOT true.

No PNM should be released from recruitment for doing that. She may be excluded from being Quota Addition. But she is never to be kicked out of recruitment.

WCsweet<3 · #14 10-13-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

However, are you sure the "signing a pref card with one sorority= kicked out" thing isn't a myth?

I was told that by a girl in the house who is on PHC. She told us that it was part of the rule with the "no skipping parties" rule, but I will double check. I like the no skipping thing, but thought that part sounded a little crazy. We get our Rho Gammas back today and I will double check with them since they should know.

KSUViolet06 · #15 10-13-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCsweet<3

I was told that by a girl in the house who is on PHC. She told us that it was part of the rule with the "no skipping parties" rule, but I will double check. I like the no skipping thing, but thought that part sounded a little crazy. We get our Rho Gammas back today and I will double check with them since they should know.

Ok, because I know that alot of Panhellenics have the "no skipping" rule, but the "no suiciding" thing is typically myth. I haven't heard of a school having an official rule stating that. PNMs shouldn't be released for suiciding.

The myth typically stems from the fact that girls who suicide aren't eligible to be QAs. At alot of schools, that somehow turned into them being kicked out of recruitment.