Indiana University Recruitment 2020

[GreekOne]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

I have read through the posts regarding pairing and wanted to add a few comments to mix. I was social chair back in the day and I went out of my way to have events with different fraternities so that our chapter could get to know theirs. Never once did I have a fraternity not want to plan an event nor did we ever have a fraternity not show up. Maybe times were different or people were different, but I do wonder how often the social chairs actually seek out chapters with whom they don't normally mix? We are placing blame on the organization as a whole, but maybe the socials aren't going out of their comfort zone enough or executive officers aren't supporting reaching out.

I like the idea of a Greek Week that I think Rod D suggested. We did this when I was in school and you were paired with fraternities for different events like a relay run, co-ed volleyball, tug of war, etc. You might be paired with one group for one event and then another group for a different event. It was a lot of fun and you wanted the points, so you hoped you were paired with a chapter that had some athletic members. Something like this could easily be done in the fall when the weather is nicer. If chapters knew they might only spend an hour or two with a new group, it might not be so daunting.

The random pair idea is one that has been kicked around for years, but is never implemented. I understand the hesitation, but it could also be done pretty easily. Instead of all paired events being parties, chapters could pair for other events such as a Saturday helping build at Habitat for Humanity, after school tutoring at the Boys and Girls Club, a fundraising night for IUDM at a local restaurant. If a fraternity and sorority paired for events similar to the ones I mentioned above, they might get to know each other and accomplish something positive for the community while getting some good PR. I believe chapters can only have an official pair like every two weeks, if they do the philanthropy pair let them earn another social pair. Give them an incentive to try. Or at the social pairs have a sign in sheet and if a certain percentage of your chapter doesn't attend, then you lose an event. Make it a reasonable percentage like 33% or 40%. That will allow for students who are going home, have academic responsibilities like I-core, illness, etc.

I do believe that if chapter were forced to mix to a small extent the Greek system would benefit. At least, if nothing else, some of the stereotypes would be debunked.

Just my two cents.

All of this yes, 100%. It really needs to be driven by Panhellenic and IFC. It would improve the Greek system tremendously.

On a completely different note, do you IndianaSigKap know how many houses, if any, decline quota additions? There was some discussion about this on the FB group and I was wondering if that is happening at IU?

[IndianaSigKap]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

All of this yes, 100%. It really needs to be driven by Panhellenic and IFC. It would improve the Greek system tremendously.

On a completely different note, do you IndianaSigKap know how many houses, if any, decline quota additions? There was some discussion about this on the FB group and I was wondering if that is happening at IU?

I have been told that since they are using all of the RFM rules this year, all chapters can accept QAs, no chapter will be allowed to decline. Given the number of drops and SIPs, I would guess that most every chapter will make quota, which I speculated to be somewhere between 54 and 58.

[AZTheta]

Bottom line: for whatever reason(s), PNMs drop. And they cry, blame the system, yadayadayada, and their parents complain. Blah blah blah. It's nothing like it was when Indiana held onto bed rush (shudder). THAT was cruel and brutal. Indiana did change. It took a Herculean effort and campaign, and quite a lot of time, but the change did come. I hope Amy Kates is smiling in heaven.

"Forced mixing" may well need to be implemented. As long as there are alumni (male and female) holding onto their "glory days" and perpetuating old practices and exclusivity for the new generations, there'll be challenges. Look at Ole Miss and Bama and Texas, folks. I do have a lot of optimism for the "millennials" myself. I especially admire their sassiness and their "okay Boomer" attitude.

So, the dogs bark, but the caravan moves on. IndianaSigKap, time for a massage and an adult beverage!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

I have been told that since they are using all of the RFM rules this year, all chapters can accept QAs, no chapter will be allowed to decline. Given the number of drops and SIPs, I would guess that most every chapter will make quota, which I speculated to be somewhere between 54 and 58.

Are they any closer to adopting a system wide chapter total?

[ForeverRoses]

I was told this past weekend that Women's Panhellenic has suggested random pairings for homecoming and/or little 5 and that the IFC flatly refused to consider it. So sadly, it is the fraternities that are blocking it. It would be lovely if the sororities flat out refused pairs unless the IFC changed it's mind, however they would all have to agree and stick to it.

No word on chapter total. However since informal recruitment has such a negative stigma (a holdover from bed rush days when smaller = better) few want to do it, so as long as you have retention and make quota, the chapters tend to be similar sizes.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

I was told this past weekend that Women's Panhellenic has suggested random pairings for homecoming and/or little 5 and that the IFC flatly refused to consider it. So sadly, it is the fraternities that are blocking it. It would be lovely if the sororities flat out refused pairs unless the IFC changed it's mind, however they would all have to agree and stick to it.

No word on chapter total. However since informal recruitment has such a negative stigma (a holdover from bed rush days when smaller = better) few want to do it, so as long as you have retention and make quota, the chapters tend to be similar sizes.

I don't really understand what these pairings are for (homecoming? mixers?), but all the sororities should band together and pair with each other. Leave the fraternities out of it if they want to pull this s***.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I don't really understand what these pairings are for (homecoming? mixers?), but all the sororities should band together and pair with each other. Leave the fraternities out of it if they want to pull this s***.

I agree with that!

The pairings basically mean who you party with for the week for homecoming and the week of little 5 & quals. The other pairs are basically just one-off parties. Some have themes but it's just who you have a party with on Thursday, Friday or Saturday (or other days of the week)

[Rod D]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I don't really understand what these pairings are for (homecoming? mixers?), but all the sororities should band together and pair with each other. Leave the fraternities out of it if they want to pull this s***.

Homecoming and little 500 are the two biggest weeks at IU. It's not a 2 hour "mixer." They are week long pairs with events happening all week. And let's face it, they are big party weeks. There is a lot of risk that week -- Asking them to pair with a house they don't really know is a big ask. There is no way IFC would agree to that ask.

[IndianaSigKap]

Originally Posted by Rod D

Homecoming and little 500 are the two biggest weeks at IU. It's not a 2 hour "mixer." They are week long pairs with events happening all week. And let's face it, they are big party weeks. There is a lot of risk that week -- Asking them to pair with a house they don't really know is a big ask. There is no way IFC would agree to that ask.

Pairs also refer to a one off party two a fraternity or sorority might have on the weekend, too, not just the pair for HC and Little 5. That's where some of the confusion comes in, as well.

[Rod D]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

Pairs also refer to a one off party two a fraternity or sorority might have on the weekend, too, not just the pair for HC and Little 5. That's where some of the confusion comes in, as well.

Right, but it sounds like Panhellenic went right for the full montey asking for homecoming and little 5. They may want to start smaller next time.

[PGD-GRAD]

^^^ SEE? This is why I deferred to IndianaSigKap!!

She’s right on: pairing does NOT have to occur just for “major” campus events. Creating opportunities just to meet new people and establish avenues of communication is a worthy and certainly achievable goal. It might just help to lessen the ridiculous IU tier hysteria.

I wonder what will happen when some of these “super-fratty” guys and “insta-famous” ladies have to work closely with someone with whom they’d deem socially inferior? Or—horrors—have one for a boss?

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by PGD-GRAD

I wonder what will happen when some of these “super-fratty” guys and “insta-famous” ladies have to work closely with someone with whom they’d deem socially inferior? Or—horrors—have one for a boss?

Hopefully they all have nice trust funds. The number one reason for being let go from a job is the inability to get along with co-workers.

[Rod D]

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

Hopefully they all have nice trust funds. The number one reason for being let go from a job is the inability to get along with co-workers.

Come on. There is a big difference between working with people at a legitimate job and partying till all hours (doing things you probably shouldn't do) in college.

[IUMomof2]

Omg, I'm dying! I am about 2 seconds from violating about every Facebook rule and totally getting kicked off!

Some mom posted on the IU Sorority FB page that her daughter dropped from rush Sunday morning because of the 2 chapters she was invited back to. And then those two chapters offered her daughter snap bids and how insulting and ridiculous it was because they were the reason she dropped in the first place! People were asking her to clarify (I'm sure because no one could really believe she was saying what she was saying) which she doubled-down on. "No thanks, this (sic) two where (sic) after the first round a No for her. Looks like they have difficulties to get girls!!!" Yep, direct quote. From a mom. On a page where we obviously have MOMS OF GIRLS IN THOSE CHAPTERS!!!

I'm starting to see where it all comes from...

[80sHoosier]

I saw that too. She was very obnoxious! It looks like she has already disaffiliated herself from that facebook page. And I have the impression that her first language is not English, probably German? I suppose maybe this whole process was new to her, but no reason for her to be rude.