Why are recs absolutely necessary at some schools, while not expected at others?

[IndianaSigKap]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Someone should forward this thread to all 26 NPC's!

I totally agree. I also agree with AST's post, what does the recommendation from an alumna who met the girl for an hour really mean in the grand scheme of things? I am very glad my campus is not one of those must have campuses or I might not have been Greek at all.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

I totally agree. I also agree with AST's post, what does the recommendation from an alumna who met the girl for an hour really mean in the grand scheme of things? I am very glad my campus is not one of those must have campuses or I might not have been Greek at all.

Without getting too much into membership selection... This is the only input many alumnae get into membership selection. If it's a lifelong sisterhood, our opinions should be heard, too.

I've worked recruitment at two different campuses (small chapters) that did not require recs. I assure you that recs were obtained for the PNMs that the chapter wanted. They were just obtained behind the scenes without input from PNMs. I think PNMs are better off if they obtain their own recs. It allows them to have input into who is giving them a rec.

[IndianaSigKap]

Originally Posted by KDCat

Without getting too much into membership selection... This is the only input many alumnae get into membership selection. If it's a lifelong sisterhood, our opinions should be heard, too.

Yes, if that alumna wants a voice. If the alumna volunteers to write the rec for a girls she knows, then great. We've all done it. That's the best case scenario. But what happens in the instances where the alumna does not know the girl, meets her for an hour or so and then writes the rec? Most of us could carry on a pleasant conversation with a stranger for an hour or so, but do we really know the stranger at the end of the encounter? What does a rec from a stranger really say? I know cases where the alum has written a rec for a girl they barely know because it's a friend's granddaughter. Then they come to find out that the granddaughter is the queen of the red solo cup on her social media. Not all alumnae still know how to search social media for such clues. This rec was taken seriously and another deserving girl was cut because she had no rec. Just playing devils' advocate, here.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by KDCat

Without getting too much into membership selection... This is the only input many alumnae get into membership selection. If it's a lifelong sisterhood, our opinions should be heard, too.

I can understand that -- for the PNMs who alums know very well. On the other hand, this can also lead to some conflict and hard feelings when an alum's favorite PNM or legacy is released.

I've written recs on girls whose parents I knew better than the girl herself, and on girls I haven't known all their lives. I also disclosed how well/long I knew the PNM -- and was content to leave the rest to the chapter (without feeling offended over my input one way or another). Most of the girls I know very, very well are daughters of close friends and family, and/or those who were clustered around my own daughter's age.

Maybe alums could still write personal letters of support if they wished, on their own (unsolicited), for the few girls they know well and are really passionate about.

Like I said, just thinking out loud (meandering mostly I guess).

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

I can understand that -- for the PNMs who alums know very well. On the other hand, this can also lead to some conflict and hard feelings when an alum's favorite PNM or legacy is released.

I've written recs on girls whose parents I knew better than the girl herself, and on girls I haven't known all their lives. I also disclosed how well/long I knew the PNM -- and was content to leave the rest to the chapter (without feeling offended over my input one way or another). Most of the girls I know very, very well are daughters of close friends and family, and/or those who were clustered around my own daughter's age.

Maybe alums could still write personal letters of support if they wished, on their own (unsolicited), for the few girls they know well and are really passionate about.

Like I said, just thinking out loud (meandering mostly I guess).

Realistically, it's not worse than collegiate members voting on PNMS who they have talked to for 20 -30 minutes. It helps with the vetting process.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by KDCat

Realistically, it's not worse than collegiate members voting on PNMS who they have talked to for 20 -30 minutes. It helps with the vetting process.

That really isn't much time to base decisions upon, for sure -- a difficult issue to address in these huge recruitments.

And thanks for the info on Wash U -- best wishes for a very successful recruitment there!