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

[gee_ess]

Good thoughts, ADPiUCF

Maybe that is what is at play here. Some groups, as a whole, do not value alumnae recommendations. It is not the chapter, but the entire organization? This is something I really was not aware of and would make sense.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I think the difference may lie not only in how some schools value recs over others, but also in how one sorority values recommendations over another in membership selection. Every sorority has different criteria that they value over others. A recommendation doesn't guarantee someone a bid to a sorority, but it is something considered in the process and some organizations may place more weight on the rec than other sororities. I guess I am now understanding that for some sororities, a rec is just a rec, and for others, it carries varying degrees of weight in actual selection.

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Maybe that is what is at play here. Some groups, as a whole, do not value alumnae recommendations. It is not the chapter, but the entire organization? This is something I really was not aware of and would make sense.

I wouldn't say it's the entire sorority that doesn't put much weight on recs, but certain chapters. Location/campus seems to heavily determine the importance (unless you're in a sorority which requires recs of all PNMs, regardless of the chapter). Generally speaking.

Another question: Do recs come into play during COB at schools where they weigh heavily during formal? I would guess that they wouldn't be required, but someone correct me if I'm wrong. And if a girl went through formal and was released (or she dropped out), would a rec be carried over to COB? *If this is venturing into membership selection, feel free to say so*

How about with colonizations? Are recs required? I know very little about even my own sorority's colonization process, so I'm curious as to what is done.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I wouldn't say it's the entire sorority that doesn't put much weight on recs, but certain chapters. Location/campus seems to heavily determine the importance (unless you're in a sorority which requires recs of all PNMs, regardless of the chapter). Generally speaking.

Another question: Do recs come into play during COB at schools where they weigh heavily during formal? I would guess that they wouldn't be required, but someone correct me if I'm wrong. And if a girl went through formal and was released (or she dropped out), would a rec be carried over to COB? *If this is venturing into membership selection, feel free to say so*

How about with colonizations? Are recs required? I know very little about even my own sorority's colonization process, so I'm curious as to what is done.

Very recently a GC poster posted that her NPC doesn't even have a rec form. So, I would say it is very possible that some nationals don't value recs - they utilize other methods in their MS.

At many competitive schools, recs are used in COB and in many colonizations recs are used and even "required" just as much as they are in formal recruitment.

ETA: And no, recs are not "carried over" because groups destroy them after recruitment. (Maybe all of them don't. Ours did, so no new member could accidentally stumble upon them.)

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

At many competitive schools, recs are used in COB and in many colonizations recs are used and even "required" just as much as they are in formal recruitment.

This.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by Titchou

...I would venture most NPC groups began with the requirement that all new members be sponsored/recommended by another - like most organizations/clubs who restrict membership do.

I have been told that this is necessary to maintain single sex status, according to federal requirements and/or guidelines.

If so, then anyone insisting that their sorority or chapter doesn't "do" recs or doesn't have to consider them may be a) not following the requirements of their group b)jeopardizing the group's single sex status.

Maybe I have this wrong?

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

I'm just not convinced that a Bama pledge class that is about 78% OOS is dependent on "proper SEC recs," since OOS alums are far less likely to be familiar with such local concept or culture.

I've seen plenty of "SEC quality" recs from non-SEC alumnae...not all, but a good many. Also seen a lot of "non-SEC quality" from SEC alums...it's not your conference, it's your training.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

I have been told that this is necessary to maintain single sex status, according to federal requirements and/or guidelines.

If so, then anyone insisting that their sorority or chapter doesn't "do" recs or doesn't have to consider them may be a) not following the requirements of their group b)jeopardizing the group's single sex status.

Maybe I have this wrong?

I've seen plenty of "SEC quality" recs from non-SEC alumnae...not all, but a good many. Also seen a lot of "non-SEC quality" from SEC alums...it's not your conference, it's your training.

I don't think this is correct or maybe DG interprets this differently than other organizations do. AOII does NOT require a recommendation to be initiated. I know this for a fact. New Members are voted in by the group, so I think this is probably sufficient to maintain any single-sex status, exclusivity requirements mandated by the federal government.