Quota Additions at Super Competitive Schools

[Drolefille]

Isn't it arguable though that the less popular chapters would be doing just as poorly, if not worse without RFM since they never would have gotten the new members in the first place otherwise? Obviously it's not a perfect solution - and honestly, what will be if campus culture has solidified social tiers that just will not be moved no matter what. So overall we're still helping chapters with this method - and it gives the least popular chapters a chance to convince their new members that they have an awesome sisterhood too. Because they do, social stratifications or not.

[carnation]

I feel sorry for the chapters that have to do the convincing job, often dealing with a combination of happy girls, stunned girls, crying girls, and the realization that a large number of NMs never showed up for Bid Day. It's supposed to be such a happy time and I have no clue, even though I've observed it on several campuses, how they handle all this at once while trying to celebrate their new members.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by carnation

I feel sorry for the chapters that have to do the convincing job, often dealing with a combination of happy girls, stunned girls, crying girls, and the realization that a large number of NMs never showed up for Bid Day. It's supposed to be such a happy time and I have no clue, even though I've observed it on several campuses, how they handle all this at once while trying to celebrate their new members.

I've seen it, and it relies a lot on older members who don't get hung up on the ego who can split off and talk to the upset NMs. But it's that or not have any chance to convince at all.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Isn't it arguable though that the less popular chapters would be doing just as poorly, if not worse without RFM since they never would have gotten the new members in the first place otherwise? Obviously it's not a perfect solution - and honestly, what will be if campus culture has solidified social tiers that just will not be moved no matter what. So overall we're still helping chapters with this method - and it gives the least popular chapters a chance to convince their new members that they have an awesome sisterhood too. Because they do, social stratifications or not.

How well this works at bigger schools I don't know, but rather than concentrating on QAs the day of bid day, such chapters might be better served to have parties and give out open bids a few days after when everyone's had the time to realize that life really doesn't go on when your favorite sorority doesn't bid you. And to realize that the girls they talked to at Icky Iota weren't as icky as they thought.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by 33girl

How well this works at bigger schools I don't know, but rather than concentrating on QAs the day of bid day, such chapters might be better served to have parties and give out open bids a few days after when everyone's had the time to realize that life really doesn't go on when your favorite sorority doesn't bid you. And to realize that the girls they talked to at Icky Iota weren't as icky as they thought.

I agree, I don't think most chapters complain about QAs.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by 33girl

How well this works at bigger schools I don't know, but rather than concentrating on QAs the day of bid day, such chapters might be better served to have parties and give out open bids a few days after when everyone's had the time to realize that life really doesn't go on when your favorite sorority doesn't bid you. And to realize that the girls they talked to at Icky Iota weren't as icky as they thought.

typically, quota additions go to chapters who do not need to cob, and the chapters who do cob do begin cob events as soon as they catch their breath and get organized.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

typically, quota additions go to chapters who do not need to cob, and the chapters who do cob do begin cob events as soon as they catch their breath and get organized.

Yep, and whether they do so exhausted and worn down by years of expectations from HQ or energized and feeling awesome depends on them.

[carnation]

We've talked on GC about forced prefs. These days, prefs are rarely forced but the PNMs have that carrot of QAs if they maximize their options. Still, I think that many, many girls are going to some pref parties unwillingly and that could account for the flood of 'rude PNM' stories that we've gotten on the Weird Rush Stories thread (maybe if I flip off the undesirable group, they'll cut me!")

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by carnation

We've talked on GC about forced prefs. These days, prefs are rarely forced but the PNMs have that carrot of QAs if they maximize their options. Still, I think that many, many girls are going to some pref parties unwillingly and that could account for the flood of 'rude PNM' stories that we've gotten on the Weird Rush Stories thread (maybe if I flip off the undesirable group, they'll cut me!")

yes, they do dangle the quota addition carrot and the sip kiss of death rumor, too.

let's face it, if someone's heart is set on a bmw, but they end up with a pacer, some will end up making the best of things and appreciating the fact that they have a car, while others would rather walk than be seen in a pacer.

[OleMissGlitter]

I agree with you all and what Barbie originally posted.

Do you all think that those chapters who do struggle to "keep" their new members after Bid Day need to step up their NM Education programs? If you are "awkward alpha" shouldn’t you have the best NM Program on campus?

I have also witnessed firsthand where women who did not get a bid to their first choice end up very happy. Obviously every PNM is different. I do disagree with forcing a PNM to attend a pref party. However, I think most Panhellenic Councils really push the "maximize your options" advice.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by OleMissGlitter

I agree with you all and what Barbie originally posted.

Do you all think that those chapters who do struggle to "keep" their new members after Bid Day need to step up their NM Education programs? If you are "awkward alpha" shouldn’t you have the best NM Program on campus?
I have also witnessed firsthand where women who did not get a bid to their first choice end up very happy. Obviously every PNM is different. I do disagree with forcing a PNM to attend a pref party. However, I think most Panhellenic Councils really push the "maximize your options" advice.

I think so.

Retention is key.

I think many of the Awkward Alpha type groups don't focus on it enough.

For example: I've heard many stories of girls being really bummed about getting a bid to ABC, but perking up when they get to Bid Day and everyone is SO HAPPY to see them.

If you show up to ABC and the actives are all about their recruitment results and not enjoying themselves, you are automatically going to panic and think you made the wrong decision to accept.

I think it's important to engage the NMs as quickly as possible and show them that women on campus are PROUD to be ABC.

Of course at some schools, retention is easier said than done. If you're coming from a place with more fliud reputation structures (ex: a pledge class can really change a reputation.)

[dukedg]

I don't think the current structure of formal recruitment (short period of time to place as many women as possible) is set up to help a struggling chapter (one that is significantly smaller than others). It is set up to place as many women in chapters as possible in a short period of time.

RFM may give the struggling chapter a chance to win over PNMs on bid day, but I don't think the chapter can convince that many women to take the gamble who wouldn't have otherwise considered joining.

[Mevara]

Originally Posted by carnation

We've talked on GC about forced prefs. These days, prefs are rarely forced but the PNMs have that carrot of QAs if they maximize their options. Still, I think that many, many girls are going to some pref parties unwillingly and that could account for the flood of 'rude PNM' stories that we've gotten on the Weird Rush Stories thread (maybe if I flip off the undesirable group, they'll cut me!")

This might not be a popular idea but maybe PNMs should be allowed to "cut" chapters before pref. If you think about it as much as we say it is a mutual selection process it really isn't for the PNMs, unless they get invited back to more chapters than they can attend.

[33girl]

As far as maximizing options goes...

It's one thing when you have to go to one pref party you don't want and two that you do like. You are lucky enough that you should be able to suck it up for an hour and be nice to the sorority you want no part of.

If you are going into pref with only one group (who you detest) left, I hate to break it to you, but unless your dream group REALLY effed up their RFM and cut too many people, you're probably not going to be a QA for them. You might as well drop out of rush if you're dead set you don't want to be in this group and you don't believe anything will happen at pref to change your mind. You might be wrong, but it's up to you.