Capitalist vs. Socialistic

[Zillini]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Defer recruitment until spring. PNMs begin to sign up for recruitment the first day of fall semester. Allow chapters/Panhellenic to invite registered PNMs to philanthropy events, to watch Greek Week/Homecoming events, Panhellenic speakers/programs, etc. basically anything that wouldn't be weird to have non-members attend. Registered PNMs bring friends, friends register, they bring their friends. A semester of authentic interaction (and a semester to prove yourself academically on the college level) and then formal recruitment for efficiency.

While I agree with the benefits thetygerlily states, there is a major problem with deferring Recruitment to spring on large Greek campuses, particularly for those with physical houses. The financial loss of just one semester's income from a new member class can be devastating. It wouldn't just be the loss of dues that pays for socials and such, but more importantly meals, staff salaries, house maintence costs, etc.

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by Zillini

there is a major problem with deferring Recruitment to spring on large Greek campuses

It can be a problem for small campuses too. I came from a system of deferred recruitment. Yes, it helps fit the casual atmosphere of the college. Yes, I was able to meet a couple of women from the chapter I wound up joining. Yes, I had time to wonder "should I go through recruitment?" and make a semi-educated decision. Yes, I had time to "find myself" (or at least start figuring it out) before going through recruitment.

With that being said, I really feel that deferred recruitment hurts the sororities at my alma matter. It's a small school- 1300 students, with 3 sororities. Total is at 50 but for the past 10+ years most chapters haven't broken 40, & hover around 30. Quota is usually 6-9. A quota of 6 means only 18 signed bid cards! Out of 350ish freshman! That's incredibly low.

Freshmen have time to get involved in other clubs & activities, get overwhelmed with studies, and make other friends. It's a 100% residential campus, so dorms are great fodder for friendships. That lends itself to freshmen not seeing the value in the Greek system, because they already have friends and clubs and activities and way too much schoolwork. It also gives them time to talk themselves- and their friends- OUT of going through recruitment. It's funny, being Greek on that campus is like being a member of any other club... except that you're sometimes frowned upon. Most people could care less, though, who is and isn't Greek.

Perhaps "standard" recruitment would make sense for smaller schools, who can spend more time getting to know each PNM during the parties- after all, if you're only voting/whatevering on 20-30 women, you get to know them all. You really do. Or, at least, we did.

I was a Rho Chi one year and we had the HARDEST time getting freshmen interested during first term. We would have events in the dorm lounges (common for our campus) like mani/pedi night, movie, game night, etc- we were lucky if 2 people showed up. I actually wound up dropping out of being a Rho Chi and we replaced me with someone who had been studying abroad first term. The sad thing is that we don't think any of the freshmen noticed that I was on the chapter side (as President instead of a disaffiliated Rho Chi) or that she hadn't been around first term. Perhaps it's just an apathetic issue with my school (also had relatively low school spirit in the sport realm). I don't know. But deferred recruitment certainly didn't feel like it was helping sustain the Greek system.