If YOU were in charge

[wildcatfan]

Originally Posted by onekeythatbindsus

Great topic!!
If I were in charge, I would bring back big/little. We had families, we still have the family trees that go all the way back to when our chapter was started, and it's so difficult to give it all up. I like the idea of having a family, and not switching the family.
Do you think they will ever bring big and little's back?
Casey

Originally Posted by kappagirl00

New Member: Bring back big/lil!! The Kore program has turned into absolute nightmare for some of our chapter members (myself included) I see nothing inheritly wrong with the old system and I don't understand why KKG felt the need to change it.

No one has commented on the lack of big/little and substitution of the KORE program for a few years. I have not seen anything positive with the switch. It seems to me that it looks good on paper, but the actives I've talked to don't any real ties to their KORE group. It's like another thing to check off the list of things to do, ie, "have dinner with my KORE family at least once a semester." What was the motivaton to change it and has it ever been reassessed? Do any other houses use this or are we the only ones?

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Does anyone else struggle with the shortened new member period like I do? It just seems to fly by SO quickly. I really feel it is a detriment to chapters with large pledge classes (75 for example) which can make it harder to form bonds in such a short time.

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

I think the NM period goes by too quickly even with only 14 or 15 girls!

Originally Posted by elleyk5187

i definitely agree with the NM period going by so quickly. we didn't bond much (there were 38 girls in my pledge class!), besides the retreat we had. before we knew it, it was initiation time.

Originally Posted by gee_ess

After watching my daughter go through the new member period within the past few years, I think this format really leaves a void in what the pledges know about the fraternity. There were no organized or structured ways for her to learn fraternity history, etc. Sure, she got the new member handouts, notebook, and was told to read them, but now that we no longer give pledge tests (hazing), or memorize the Greek alphabet, etc there is little incentive to learn what Kappa is all about. Thus, the focus becomes more social. (IMO)

Ditto all these posts!!!! I could write more, but the points are the same.

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

It's not the Fraternity who necessarily wanted to make the switch to the shorter new member program, it was the pressure from various universities and the fact most all NPC organizations had installed a shorter new member program. IIRC, Kappa was one of the last to change theirs.

Kansas State has fall rush, but the last I heard Chi Omega still initiates after Christmas (the only sorority on our campus that I'm aware of.) Does anyone know if that's their national policy, or are these Wildcat Chi-Os just a bunch of rebels?

I don't see us ever changing back on any of these issues, but I do think it's unfortunate. IMHO, we have lost much more than we have gained. With no big/littles, shortened pledge periods and many girls living in house only their sophomore year, I feel the ties to the fraternity are not formed as deeply as in years gone by. This makes me feel old. . . off soapbox.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by wildcatfan

No one has commented on the lack of big/little and substitution of the KORE program for a few years. I have not seen anything positive with the switch. It seems to me that it looks good on paper, but the actives I've talked to don't any real ties to their KORE group. It's like another thing to check off the list of things to do, ie, "have dinner with my KORE family at least once a semester." What was the motivaton to change it and has it ever been reassessed? Do any other houses use this or are we the only ones?

ADPi uses Prides, which, to my understanding, are similar. I'm sure other orgs have similar groups, I don't know which ones.

I think the initial decision to move to Kore was to let the new member get to know more members - especially when they had Kore families switching every semester. A good idea in theory, but in realization not always feasible. It's really up to the NME and chapter to make the most of the Kore families. If anyone is interested, the entire Leadership Guide and each officer's supplement are on the Members Only side of the Kappa site. You can read through it to get an idea of what the program currently entails. Of course, having just had a Convention, some things might change slightly.

Kansas State has fall rush, but the last I heard Chi Omega still initiates after Christmas (the only sorority on our campus that I'm aware of.) Does anyone know if that's their national policy, or are these Wildcat Chi-Os just a bunch of rebels?

TMK, Chi Omega is the only NPC org that still maintains a longer new member program. Somewhere on GC Chi Os have mentioned how their NM program works on campuses that require a shorter NM period.

[gee_ess]

The CHi O's at the U of Ark also initiate after semester, so maybe they haven't followed the NPC pack into the shortened new member period philosophy.

I will heed your advice ISUKappa and look at the leadership guide, etc regarding new member program details.