Who Has Removed Preferential Treatment for Legacies?

[DGTess]

None of these policies will SOLVE our lack of inclusion.

Many little tiny steps make great strides.

[carnation]

These aren't even steps. They are totally unrelated to inclusion. I know a black DG who has a little girl, and she's majorly upset about these virtue-signaling new policies that crap on legacies.

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by carnation

These aren't even steps. They are totally unrelated to inclusion. I know a black DG who has a little girl, and she's majorly upset about these virtue-signaling new policies that crap on legacies.

Wow.

I know a black DG and she supports this policy.

Which one speaks for her race?

[carnation]

Neither. Each one speaks for herself.

[sororanon]

My cynical side thinks that this was actually an easy "give" for most NPC orgs.

Let's face it, managing a legacy policy is a nightmare for a lot of chapters. I'm sure a lot of alums are not going to be happy about this and will raise a stink. HOWEVER ... What they aren't cancelling or speaking to is the unspoken and elitist policy of "VIP" PNMS. You know the one ... a PNM will be given VIP status if they are connected to a well-placed higher-up member. One phone call from a regional or national leader telling a recruitment advisor that they need to take Miss XYZ because she is related to muckety-muck old lady who donates money in a big way, etc. Take her even if your chapter doesn't like her, doesn't want her, doesn't fit in, whatever. We all know that this happens now. Those are going to be the only ones that get special passes into rounds and the rest of you can take a flying leap.

LET THE ARM TWISTING BEGIN!

I know. Cynical.

[kdonline]

Legacy “perks” are outdated, mostly because sorority recruitments are overrun with them, and these policies cause more headaches during recruitment.

A PNM should be invited to join a sorority on *her own* merits. If she’s a legacy, then that’s nice. But it shouldn’t be a reason why the PNM is selected. But all of our organizations want quality women: women who are academically solid, confident leaders, and volunteer in the community.

[Leora]

Typing from my phone so apologies if it's wonky, but just got this email entitled "Changes to Legacy Considerations." I'm just going to quote the most relevant portion.

"Today, we write with an important update which we felt you need to be aware. Pi Beta Phi is providing chapters flexibility as to how they implement our legacy policy. (Potential New Members whose sister, mother or grandmother is an initiated member of Pi Beta Phi is defined as a legacy).

The Pi Beta Phi Constitution and Statutes states “special consideration shall be given to legacies whose qualifications are comparable to those of other Potential New Members (PNMs).” Chapter Bylaws dictate how that special consideration is applied.

Historically, legacies participating in primary recruitment have received the following courtesies:
an invitation to the first invitational round, and if attending the Preference round, the legacy is placed at the top of the chapter’s Bid List.

After much conversation and discussion, Grand Council has decided chapters will be allowed to choose from three legacy courtesy options for the 2020-2021 academic year. Allowing chapters a choice provides the Fraternity opportunity to collect relevant information to shape future policy. These options are as follows:

1. Follow existing legacy procedures. These chapters will invite all legacies to the first invitational round and if invited to Preference, legacies will be placed at the top of the bid list.
2. Eliminate the top of the bid list courtesy but keep the first-round invitation courtesy. These chapters will invite legacies to the first invitational round.
3. Eliminate the top of the bid list courtesy and the first-round invitation courtesy. These chapters will consider legacies just as they consider any other PNM for membership. These chapters will meet the requirements of the Constitution and Statutes special consideration by identifying all legacies for members of the chapter prior to the start of recruitment.

Today, chapter officers and Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) members were made aware of these options and how to begin the effort of exploring what is best for their chapter. It is imperative we support our collegiate sisters and do not place pressure on a chapter to select one option over another."

Personally, I would have loved to see an "eliminate the first round courtesy invite and keep the top of the bid list" option, but I am overall thankful that the opinion of collegiate members is being asked for. I'm an alumna, so will continue to follow with interest!

[carnation]

Well, I'm glad that we're getting options. I can't imagine the explosions and amount of money withdrawn if there had been across-the-board screwing over of legacies.

I also get that some chapters have far more legacies rushing than they can pledge--my own chapter faces that this fall--but that has never prevented any chapter of any sorority from taking who they really wanted.

And I agree, that other option would have been fantastic.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by wildcatfan

Depending on your point of view, Kappa Kappa Gamma just caved to pressure or caught up with the group. https://www.kappakappagamma.org/kapp...ypolicychange/

According to the FAQs that follow the announcement, the answer to the question "Does the legacy definition still exist?" is No.

Originally Posted by DGTess

None of these policies will SOLVE our lack of inclusion.

Many little tiny steps make great strides.

Yes, the NPC Inclusion Bandwagon just got a little heavier.

The public relations pronouncements involved, when NPC groups vow to 'rectify' non-inclusion, are as important as any steps being taken to actually vote-in allegedly marginalized PNMs and persons who feel excluded from the NPC Recruitment system.

But I laughed when I read the following sentence within Kappa's Policy Announcement as IMO it was equally true of, and could have been made by, KKG at least 32 years ago: "Today, we firmly believe that an inclusive membership will set us on a path to an even more vibrant sisterhood."