Indiana University Recruitment 2017

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by tlynn

Forever, I think your point is valid, and there are definitely women out there who think that way, but as an IU parent of a member of an lower tiered chapter, I think some of the blame needs to go to the Greek Life community. My daughter has made some really good friends in her sorority - her 3 besties especially, and her sorority has some really socially active, smart, creative, beautiful girls, but the Greek community does promote the idea that they are one of the "red headed step children" of the system. I hope women stick with it and join wherever they end up, because there are many good experiences to be had, but I do get why they drop. Some PNMs are able to ignore this and not let it bother them, but others maybe are not so confident and for a multitude of reasons they can't handle the disrespect or aren't prepared to be the target of it. We have to remember that we are adults with years of experience and they are 18 year olds trying to figure out who they are. And IU doesn't help themselves by still setting an artificial quota of 55 (better than when my daughter went through and some chapters took <40 but I wish they'd use RFM throughout and set a true quota, which would probably be 70-80) As an greek alum of a different university who has helped with many recruitments over the years and with a greek daughter at a different large university, I can say I have major reservations about IU's Greek Life. Still lots of good things, but much more based on social tiers and status than most universities I have worked with and that disappoints me. I encourage SL&L/Panhel/IFC to continue to work on creating a more cooperative, supportive community.

I was having this discussion with a few of my actives last night. And MY personal biggest issue with the IU sorority system is the fact that fraternities are the ones that seem to determine the "tiers". Certain fraternities will refuse to "pair" with some of the sororities. And if the sorority ticks off the fraternity in some way, they will threaten to stop "pairing" with them. It is ridiculous.
The women were shocked when I told them how at my school, greek week pairs were a random draw- so you had to pair with whomever you were assigned or you didn't participate. I believe that is how my alma mater does homecoming pairs now as well.

[tlynn]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

I was having this discussion with a few of my actives last night. And MY personal biggest issue with the IU sorority system is the fact that fraternities are the ones that seem to determine the "tiers". Certain fraternities will refuse to "pair" with some of the sororities. And if the sorority ticks off the fraternity in some way, they will threaten to stop "pairing" with them. It is ridiculous.
The women were shocked when I told them how at my school, greek week pairs were a random draw- so you had to pair with whomever you were assigned or you didn't participate. I believe that is how my alma mater does homecoming pairs now as well.

Spot on comment with the fraternities having the power to make or break the sororities. I like the idea of a random draw. I think many of the sororities and fraternities would be surprised by each other. IU sororities need to take that power back. That's a big reason less secure women drop.

I do understand IU using RFM for invitations (my post was unclear) - but I would like to see quota total as (almost?) every other Greek life community uses. IU Panhel has done "just enough" to end the majority of the criticism they were facing even just 2 years ago, but I hope they keep moving forward with recruitment and community.

[IUpnmmom]

Originally Posted by tlynn

Spot on comment with the fraternities having the power to make or break the sororities. I like the idea of a random draw. I think many of the sororities and fraternities would be surprised by each other. IU sororities need to take that power back. That's a big reason less secure women drop.

I do understand IU using RFM for invitations (my post was unclear) - but I would like to see quota total as (almost?) every other Greek life community uses. IU Panhel has done "just enough" to end the majority of the criticism they were facing even just 2 years ago, but I hope they keep moving forward with recruitment and community.

Sounds more like the good ole boys club to me I thought Indiana University had a lot more vision. Apparently in this area, I have been clueless

[BUDelta4Life]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

I was having this discussion with a few of my actives last night. And MY personal biggest issue with the IU sorority system is the fact that fraternities are the ones that seem to determine the "tiers". Certain fraternities will refuse to "pair" with some of the sororities. And if the sorority ticks off the fraternity in some way, they will threaten to stop "pairing" with them. It is ridiculous.
The women were shocked when I told them how at my school, greek week pairs were a random draw- so you had to pair with whomever you were assigned or you didn't participate. I believe that is how my alma mater does homecoming pairs now as well.

At my university, Student Life had (and still has) a set rotation for pairings for homecoming and other similar activities. You pair with whom you are assigned, and it's different each year for every activity. Better yet, they include all the student housing units, so a dorm or the apartment village will also be grouped with a fraternity and sorority. It really helps foster community spirit and inclusion and helps get rid of some of the stupid "rankings."

[IUpnmmom]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

I was having this discussion with a few of my actives last night. And MY personal biggest issue with the IU sorority system is the fact that fraternities are the ones that seem to determine the "tiers". Certain fraternities will refuse to "pair" with some of the sororities. And if the sorority ticks off the fraternity in some way, they will threaten to stop "pairing" with them. It is ridiculous.
The women were shocked when I told them how at my school, greek week pairs were a random draw- so you had to pair with whomever you were assigned or you didn't participate. I believe that is how my alma mater does homecoming pairs now as well.

While I understand that many IU PNM do not maximize their options.

I feel that the above statement is more of the driving force at IU! I would like to see Mandatory Policy of ALL Fraternities having pairs on a rotation system. This would stop many girls from just dropping out all together. Just because they received invites from lower tier sororities. Once this stops, maybe we can obtain a better idea of statistics for recruitment. Just a thought...........