University of Alabama sorority rush to be both in-person, virtual this fall

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

https://www.al.com/news/anniston-gad...outputType=amp
Interesting that they're still planning to host a hybrid recruitment.

Does anyone think that parts of virtual recruitment could last long after COVID is gone?

Perhaps the virtual portion isn't even replacing rounds but somehow is included in addition to the traditional recruitment process to allow more interaction between sorority members and PNMs prior to decision making?

Just a thought.

Ironically, NPC Chair Carole Jones just released her final online post as chair. It is entitled "A Reflection On Increasing Access And Equity In The Sorority Experience".

The post explains the NPC Board of Directors has commissioned five recruitment reform projects for the next year, including recommendations for "a new best practice that encourages a virtual first round whenever possible."

[If someone with better computer skills than I will please link the Carole Jones item into this thread, I'd be grateful!]

Is memory serving correctly that one or two GreekChat members served NPC on its Access Equity Advisory Committee [or AEAC] and if so, might they please chime-in with their thoughts.

[carnation]

She is merely virtue-signaling if she think that virtual first rounds will cause greater inclusion.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

Ironically, NPC Chair Carole Jones just released her final online post as chair. It is entitled "A Reflection On Increasing Access And Equity In The Sorority Experience".

The post explains the NPC Board of Directors has commissioned five recruitment reform projects for the next year, including recommendations for "a new best practice that encourages a virtual first round whenever possible."

[If someone with better computer skills than I will please link the Carole Jones item into this thread, I'd be grateful!]

Is memory serving correctly that one or two GreekChat members served NPC on its Access Equity Advisory Committee [or AEAC] and if so, might they please chime-in with their thoughts.

Originally Posted by carnation

She is merely virtue-signaling if she think that virtual first rounds will cause greater inclusion.

I don't think Carole Jones is virtue-signaling. She is explaining the year-long work done by the NPC's AEAC, whose work is now being reviewed by the NPC Board of Directors.

[again, if someone would please link Carole's 6/8/21 post here as I cannot....]

She does mention that moving the first round into a virtual round decreases chapter and panhellenic costs in the areas of meeting/recruitment space rental, transportation and matching recruitment attire fees, as well as recruitment decor costs.

The focus of recruitment ought to continue to trend toward meaningful conversations between PNMs and members, not on what type of impressive car picked up Susie Rushee for open house party or which expensive hotel the Rho House used for first round party versus the Red Roof Inn Meeting Room used by the Psi House.

Perhaps I might infer the NPC Board's ideas of Access and Equity to include increasing Access and Equity between all NPC recruiting groups. That, to me, makes sense of the NPC Board's thought to continue decreasing costs thru adding the virtual first round.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

The focus of recruitment ought to continue to trend toward meaningful conversations between PNMs and members, not on what type of impressive car picked up Susie Rushee for open house party or which expensive hotel the Rho House used for first round party versus the Red Roof Inn Meeting Room used by the Psi House.

IF they used in-person Zoom chats between PNMs and small groups of sisters representing their sorority, that would line up perfectly with the effort toward meaningful conversations.
BUT...reviewing a PNM-made video with the PNMs viewing the slick, professionally made sorority videos is about as shallow as it comes.

[AnchorAlumna]

Sorry, folks, but RFM has by far been the most successful method of leveling the playing field among all the sororities, "high tier" to "low tier."
We have more chapters than ever pledging quota and filling up to total. Chapters that were dying because not enough women would pledge are thriving and able to pay their bills and give their members a good Greek experience, no matter where they fall in the Greek Rank scale and the on-campus cool factor.

[33girl]

Women are already upset when they get dropped after the first round when they’ve actually met people in person. Can you imagine how much it will piss people off to get dropped virtually when there’s no medical reason for it? Not to mention how much both sides can hide in a virtual rush?

As far as inequities among the sororities, unless NPC changes the current quota/total system to one where sororities are only allowed to bid to total, some will be bigger and some will be smaller. If it’s a house issue, the only thing that will work is getting rid of unique houses and putting everyone in identical dorm suites or townhouses. Again, some will be prettier and some will be “homier.”

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by 33girl

As far as inequities among the sororities, unless NPC changes the current quota/total system to one where sororities are only allowed to bid to total, some will be bigger and some will be smaller. If it’s a house issue, the only thing that will work is getting rid of unique houses and putting everyone in identical dorm suites or townhouses. Again, some will be prettier and some will be “homier.”

That would eliminate some chapters from rushing.

[navane]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

On the other hand, "tier chatter" and a look at a carefuly constructed and sanitized video is all you have to use when ranking.

Originally Posted by Cheerio

She does mention that moving the first round into a virtual round decreases chapter and panhellenic costs in the areas of meeting/recruitment space rental, transportation and matching recruitment attire fees, as well as recruitment decor costs.

Well, yes, I suppose that decoration, clothing and food costs will go down if virtual rounds are instituted. Also, I do see the benefit of not having thousands of women traipsing in heels and sundresses in high heat and humidity (or snow conditions for spring recruitment).

But, look, human nature tells me that the chapters will need to pull out all of the stops to make sure their chapter video stands out (see AnchorAlumna's post above). I wouldn't be surprised if chapters went towards the trend of expensive, flashy, high-productions videos like we saw with Alpha Phi at the Arizona State University (pink jeep, hot air balloons) and Delta Gamma at the University of Miami (speedboat, sailboat). Or try to one-up each other by including prominent people or celebrities in their videos like Alpha Phi at the University of Alabama (Bama football player). Those videos cost a lot. Probably more than cake and punch and matching shirts.

Also, the move to virtual may force chapters to cut based largely on resume and/or social media reviews (Insta stalking) of the PNMs ahead of recruitment.

I'm concerned that both the PNMs and the chapters will place additional focus on cultivating an online image as a means of getting past the first rounds. We're already dealing with social media influencers who make it look like they're living their best jet set, high fashion lives. Moreover, I can envision PNMs setting up their social media "filming studio" (ring lights, better cameras, etc) to make sure they look top flight during their virtual rounds.

All of this seemingly flies in the face of no-frills, values-based recruitment. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[dukedg]

Originally Posted by navane

But, look, human nature tells me that the chapters will need to pull out all of the stops to make sure their chapter video stands out (see AnchorAlumna's post above). I wouldn't be surprised if chapters went towards the trend of expensive, flashy, high-productions videos like we saw with Alpha Phi at the Arizona State University (pink jeep, hot air balloons) and Delta Gamma at the University of Miami (speedboat, sailboat). Or try to one-up each other by including prominent people or celebrities in their videos like Alpha Phi at the University of Alabama (Bama football player). Those videos cost a lot. Probably more than cake and punch and matching shirts.

Many campuses now have specific Panhellenic rules about videos (both during recruitment and those released before for PR purposes). I'm not one for very complex rules, but I do think the general gist of trying to keep videos simple and substantive is a plus!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

That would eliminate some chapters from rushing.

Obviously. They would have a year or two where they wouldn’t take new members and eventually it would even out.

Please note I am not actually advocating this concept.