Phi Sigma Sigma discontinues legacy policy.

[SWTXBelle]

I would be all for that, in addition to allowing alumnae the opportunity to write recs.

[carnation]

The only thing with allowing non-members to write recs: a member is likely to be cautious about writing a rec for someone who's capable of screwing up her sorority. A non-member is not going to be affected if said girl ends up pledging a group and doing horrendous things once in.

She could say truthfully, "Oh, Patty PNM has great grades and activities!" and rave about that. Maybe she knows that the girl is an advanced drama queen or vicious gossip or flaming racist as well (or maybe she doesn't), but you know what? She won't care if the girl pledges and tears up the chapter or even loses their charter for them. I recall a chapter in Florida that almost lost their charter because 2 (only 2!) members took some NMs out and hazed them.

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by carnation

The only thing with allowing non-members to write recs: a member is likely to be cautious about writing a rec for someone who's capable of screwing up her sorority. A non-member is not going to be affected if said girl ends up pledging a group and doing horrendous things once in.

She could say truthfully, "Oh, Patty PNM has great grades and activities!" and rave about that. Maybe she knows that the girl is an advanced drama queen or vicious gossip or flaming racist as well (or maybe she doesn't), but you know what? She won't care if the girl pledges and tears up the chapter or even loses their charter for them. I recall a chapter in Florida that almost lost their charter because 2 (only 2!) members took some NMs out and hazed them.

Practically every NPHC organization requires some sort of external letter of recommendation.

Most people aren't writing letters of recommendation for people they know are terrible people.

[carnation]

See, that's the thing. As a teacher of manymany years, I have known many other teachers who were totally clueless about some of the meanest bullies in school. These kids would act like Eddie Haskell around teachers (or certain teachers) and do horrible things to their "enemies". Once I caught 2 Eddies upending a cooler of KoolAid over the head of another girl in the hall--caught them redhanded!-- and the AP kept saying she went to church with them and they neeevvver would have done such a thing.

So many teachers get fooled because students know that later on, they'll need various recommendations.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by carnation

See, that's the thing. As a teacher of manymany years, I have known many other teachers who were totally clueless about some of the meanest bullies in school. These kids would act like Eddie Haskell around teachers (or certain teachers) and do horrible things to their "enemies". Once I caught 2 Eddies upending a cooler of KoolAid over the head of another girl in the hall--caught them redhanded!-- and the AP kept saying she went to church with them and they neeevvver would have done such a thing.

So many teachers get fooled because students know that later on, they'll need various recommendations.

Agree with you about the "Eddie Haskells" as they can appear as early as elementary school.



When my mother was asked to write recommendations for our high school by the local Panhellenic Alumnae, she came to her three kids to ask for real scoop on these PNMs. Honestly I believe my brother was the best source our of the three of us and she was able to write a rec with confidence. (I believe she only wrote one "non-rec.")

[Cheerio]

Wanted to respond in another recently closed thread, but will try here. NPC groups who recently changed their legacy policies better hope enough of their specially chosen new members make-up, in number and in active involvement, for those alumnae and non-chosen legacies who will no longer/never be working diligently and earnestly for their orgs. It's great to evolve, but some members will be skeptical of the speed and reasons for the change and whether the outcome will be fully positive.

ETA: Closed thread mentioned above has reopened [AOII Eliminates Legacy Policy]