Auburn University Recruitment 2014

[HQWest]

I believe they are trying to reduce the worry of PNMs and encourage first generation PNMs while reducing the perceived competitiveness, especially given the current sheer volume (over 1300) of PNMs. However, I agree - a well prepared PNM should try to have 1 rec per chapter, but if that is not possible, it is still likely they can have a successful recruitment at Auburn - especially if they have good grades and overall package.

I think the question is in the age of internet - how can we encourage participation while not the perceived hurdles to finding a Panhellenic home? Make it easier for PNMs, chapters, and Alumnae groups?

[TXGreekMom]

Originally Posted by HQWest

I think the question is in the age of internet - how can we encourage participation while not the perceived hurdles to finding a Panhellenic home? Make it easier for PNMs, chapters, and Alumnae groups?

(emphasis mine)

Here's my question, just for philosophical purposes: are the hurdles actually "perceived"? We know that PNMs who read this information on the Auburn website are literally being misinformed as to the reality of the situation -- which is that it's a competitive campus where the sheer number of registered PNMs means that recs are all but required for a student who wants to make it through the first RFM-mandated round of no-brainer releases (GPA, etc).

If that hurdle is real, why should NPC take the position that the best option is to hide the truth? It can't be because they are afraid to discourage registration; registration is hitting record highs at the competitive campuses.

Is it because there is the need to maintain an elaborate facade the sorority recruitment is not in fact a process that still is heavily informed by network, family relationships, and hometown?

If NPC wants to make the experience better for first-generation Greeks, then the place to effect that outcome is not by encouraging the CPCs to dissemble. It's by strengthening the community education resources available to APHs, so that we can more effectively catch those 1st-gen girls during their senior year, and provide that fraternal education and preparation which makes all the difference between a great recruitment experience and a miserable one.

To tell a PNM in July that rush is this super-easy, "just show up and be yourself! the paperwork is extra credit!" situation, in an attempt to make the NPC community more inclusive when you know it's not true, is like locking the barn door after the horse has already been stolen. Because the "old girls network" of PNMs who already know all the secrets were finished on May 15 and are sitting pretty; meanwhile anyone who stumbles across the AU site right now is reading "you don't need recs to go through recruitment!!!!" as "you don't need recs to have a successful recruitment"... and I think us alumnae can wearily admit that it's simply not true, even if NPC will not.

Ignore my ranting if it's out of line. I've just spent so many weeks this summer talking to 1st-gen area girls and giving them the "real" story about their chosen SEC/Texas/Big 12 process -- and that their first experience with their College Panhellenic Council is a wishy-washy soft-pedaling of mistruth, doesn't feel very Panhellenic to me at all.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

I realize I'm piling on here -- but that is really, really terrible information about recommendations.

And the PNMs it might (negatively) affect the most are the ones who most need accurate information, like those who are first in their families to participate in recruitment.

It's fun when you and I agree.



That whole website is so chock full of bad info I had to make sure it wasn't an Onion production. The snack part!!

•If I want to bring a snack with me like some goldfish or some triscuit crackers is that ok?
•That would be a great snack idea! Also, carrots with hummus, pretzels, a granola bar, and some water would also be good choices! We really encourage bringing snacks, you will get hungry and might not have time to get anything.

Let's come up with more foods that will stick in your teeth and give you hideous breath. I don't know why they didn't just tell them to bring a bag of spaghetti with anchovies.

Originally Posted by TXGreekMom

If that hurdle is real, why should NPC take the position that the best option is to hide the truth? It can't be because they are afraid to discourage registration; registration is hitting record highs at the competitive campuses.

Is it because there is the need to maintain an elaborate facade the sorority recruitment is not in fact a process that still is heavily informed by network, family relationships, and hometown?

If NPC wants to make the experience better for first-generation Greeks, then the place to effect that outcome is not by encouraging the CPCs to dissemble. It's by strengthening the community education resources available to APHs, so that we can more effectively catch those 1st-gen girls during their senior year, and provide that fraternal education and preparation which makes all the difference between a great recruitment experience and a miserable one.

To tell a PNM in July that rush is this super-easy, "just show up and be yourself! the paperwork is extra credit!" situation, in an attempt to make the NPC community more inclusive when you know it's not true, is like locking the barn door after the horse has already been stolen. Because the "old girls network" of PNMs who already know all the secrets were finished on May 15 and are sitting pretty; meanwhile anyone who stumbles across the AU site right now is reading "you don't need recs to go through recruitment!!!!" as "you don't need recs to have a successful recruitment"... and I think us alumnae can wearily admit that it's simply not true, even if NPC will not.

Ignore my ranting if it's out of line. I've just spent so many weeks this summer talking to 1st-gen area girls and giving them the "real" story about their chosen SEC/Texas/Big 12 process -- and that their first experience with their College Panhellenic Council is a wishy-washy soft-pedaling of mistruth, doesn't feel very Panhellenic to me at all.

NPC can't say "recs are required" because they aren't required to participate in rush, which is a Panhellenic production. They also can't say they are required to get a bid, because they do not have certified knowledge of what each group requires. (They might know by word of mouth, but that treads on MS territory to assert it as a fact.) There is a way to put across the importance of recs correctly without crossing the Panhellenic line - Alabama usually does it VERY well on their website. This website is doing it very wrong and either written by someone who really is trying to keep the unknowing out, or else by someone who lives in Happy Unicorn Rainbow Village.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by 33girl

It's fun when you and I agree.




That whole website is so chock full of bad info I had to make sure it wasn't an Onion production. The snack part!!

lol.

It probably deserves a parody. Like replacing recs and recruitment with resumes and job interviews. Or maybe even shoes and job interviews.

And Cheetos.

Originally Posted by 33girl

This website is doing it very wrong and either written by someone who really is trying to keep the unknowing out, or else by someone who lives in Happy Unicorn Rainbow Village.

But the someone is very enthusiastic! Very! And all about proclaiming this good news!

hmm, how to overcome adamant exclamation with accurate information?