Mizzou Recruitment

[Just interested]

I personally ,SO WISH, other groups would add weeks before initiation. I understand the why it was shortened but so much is lost and one of those is the incentive to make grades and demonstrate the importance of grades.

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by Just interested

I personally ,SO WISH, other groups would add weeks before initiation. I understand the why it was shortened but so much is lost and one of those is the incentive to make grades and demonstrate the importance of grades.

If there were a way to ditto this infinitely and shout it from the rooftops, I'd be there.

[TheGreenHeart]

Originally Posted by Just interested

I personally ,SO WISH, other groups would add weeks before initiation. I understand the why it was shortened but so much is lost and one of those is the incentive to make grades and demonstrate the importance of grades.

THIS! I think the shortened new member period doesn't allow for a good balance--it's all such a whirlwind.

[Katmandu]

I hate the 6 week new member period my org instituted. As a former advisor, I can attest to the fact that in that truncated time, new members do not adequately learn the history, founders, values, philanthropy, creeds, purposes or even the names of the actives in a large chapter, nor do they have time to adjust to being in an organization. If it's worth joining, it's worth learning and preparing for membership.

Bring back the semester system! It's only a few more weeks, and I can't be convinced that those few weeks make such a difference in retention or the propensity to haze. However, our nationals think it is great. Me, not so much.

[NWguy]

Although I was relieved to complete our quarter-long pledge period, late September through early January, I was able to really appreciate what had transpired during that time when we were initiated. Our PC grew close, I bonded with my Big Brother (who was so important to me during my freshman year), and it gave me time to consider if it was something I wanted to make a longtime commitment to.

You don't get this kind of experience in 6 to 7 weeks. I'm not sure that gives new members/pledges enough time to experience what true brotherhood and sisterhood is.

[33girl]

Personally I think that saying x weeks is the right amount of pledge time for both chapters of 30 and 300 is beyond ridiculous.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Katmandu

I hate the 6 week new member period my org instituted. As a former advisor, I can attest to the fact that in that truncated time, new members do not adequately learn the history, founders, values, philanthropy, creeds, purposes or even the names of the actives in a large chapter, nor do they have time to adjust to being in an organization. If it's worth joining, it's worth learning and preparing for membership.

Bring back the semester system! It's only a few more weeks, and I can't be convinced that those few weeks make such a difference in retention or the propensity to haze. However, our nationals think it is great. Me, not so much.

I feel the same way. I was a pledge for 14 weeks (106 days!). I think we had a very solid foundation on what to expect from membership with that!

Originally Posted by 33girl

Personally I think that saying x weeks is the right amount of pledge time for both chapters of 30 and 300 is beyond ridiculous.

Agreed.

Even as I complain at how short the New Member period is now, I have to say that my Southern Belle Sixth Grade Teacher taught us to say the Greek Alphabet (backwards & forwards) in such a way that I hadn't forgotten when I pledged. Most of my pledge class were behind that very first day because of that. (Thank you, Mrs. Bridges!)

[pbear19]

I'm ok with an 8 week new member period. I actually like it.

Why? Because I think that our members should continue to be educated about their organization and learn about it throughout their entire membership. I don't see any reason why learning has to stop at the end of 8 weeks. We voted them into our sisterhood already. New member period is already chaotic, and that extra meeting a week doesn't need to continue through finals IMO.

Again, that doesn't mean that the learning stops. We have the opportunity to continue to teach them what it means to be a Gamma Phi Beta every single time we interact with them, whether it be as active members or as new members.

Considering how little is usually retained from one's own initiation, and how much one learns about ritual through post-initiation reviews and future initiations, I think it's clear that not everything can be absorbed when one is brand new. Whether that period is 6 weeks or 15 weeks, it's not all going to be absorbed. So we continue to educate all the way through their collegiate years and as an alumna, too.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Personally I think that saying x weeks is the right amount of pledge time for both chapters of 30 and 300 is beyond ridiculous.

Agreed. Also, academic calendars, housing situations, campus culture, local advisor support, etc. can all affect the appropriateness of a longer new member period.

I also think, if hazing is a concern, NM's should be told on DAY ONE just what would have to happen for them not to be initiated. I think a lot of NM's have a perception that they could be blackballed or something, and I don't know of any NPC group that actually allows such a thing. I don't think breaking a pledge is easy in any group.