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

[AOII Angel]

The rec issue in the SEC predates RFM, greekdee. I have many friends that rushed at LSU and I nearly did. I had two recs lined up for each chapter at LSU way before RFM was ever even a glimmer in the NPC's eye. Friends of mine without recs were cut across the board day 1 when they showed up without recs. It's been a tradition in the SEC for a long time...maybe because of number of PNMs, maybe just because of tradition. Smaller Southern schools don't do this so I don't know what the exact answer is, but it may be a combination of many things.