I think Seminole Pike made some great points; especially regarding the FACT that the complicated rush systems in place at most schools are misunderstood/confusin and therefore intimidating. ANY barriers to entry will adversely impact recruitment abilities of the various chapters. However; and this is an ongoing disucssion I've had with my ZTA wife for the last 10 years, we have DEFINATELY seen a move in what college women are looking for in their undergraduate experience - and in some/many cases; sorority chapters have NOT changed their "product." or marketing strategies. While I agree with Sem Pike that chapters need to continue to "market" their social scene with the fraternities (because most women are still interested in that - thank God!) most of the chapters at the numerous schools I visit each year HAVE NOT added the career track emphasis that most of today's femal college students are interested in. Let's face it though, many fraternity chapters haven't either! But for some reason, it has traditionally been viewed (at least in the south) that men join to have fun, and to network/build the resume. And (please don't bite my head off) 15 years ago most women joined to have fun and husband hunt. Well, I think that TODAY men and women join for pretty much the same reasons - fun and network/resume building. There are some chapters (even in the south) that have begun to conduct job skills/interview skills/ job fair type activities along with the "FUN, FRIENDS and FRATERNITY" message. Those that I have direct experience with which have followed that path have enjoyed INCREDIBLE success in Rush - WHEN they advertise it!
My advice - if your chapter wants to improve it's recuitment: try something different, cuz shadokat is right - currently our market share is decreasing. Of course, if the rules aren't changed.......
Brad
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