University of Mississippi - Ole Miss 2014 Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment

[thetalady]

Thanks, MP! That was an interesting article. I loved seeing this kind of this first hand perspective about Ole Miss.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by MaryPoppins

A Scotsman spends a year abroad at Ole Miss

Thank you for sharing. Other than his use of "frat", it is well written. I do wonder if he was extended a bid and or joined a fraternity.

[MU2Driver]

Originally Posted by MaryPoppins

A Scotsman spends a year abroad at Ole Miss

Nice article, but why use clip art of a high school cheerleader? Maybe they were afraid that a pic of real Ole Miss cheerleaders (or sorority sisters) would empty Scotland's universities permanently!

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by MU2Driver

Nice article, but why use clip art of a high school cheerleader? Maybe they were afraid that a pic of real Ole Miss cheerleaders (or sorority sisters) would empty Scotland's universities permanently!

I had only noticed the picture of the author back at Edinburgh. You are right... that cheerleader picture was a very odd choice.

[MaryPoppins]

Originally Posted by thetalady

I had only noticed the picture of the author back at Edinburgh. You are right... that cheerleader picture was a very odd choice.

Probably because they didn't know who to contact to pay to use an image. It wouldn't have been difficult, but then the time difference (- 6 GMT) and the fact graduation was the 10th so lots of staff have left town . . . and so on.

[MaryPoppins]

For PNMs and their families, important information regarding recruitment generally is located in the Sorority Recruitment forum click here. Or you can navigate to the Sorority Recruitment Forum using the navigation pane on the left side of the page below the top. Read the "sticky" thread topics and ask any Ole Miss related questions generated from your review here in this thread. You are referred out to that forum to avoid recreating the wheel, or in this case many wheels.

[MaryPoppins]

Recruitment teams are reporting that PNM packets are arriving with "Postage Due" notices attached. This is not how a PNM wants her name to be remembered (with the Recruitment Officer gathering the mail having to wait in the postal clerk line because you skimped on the postage.) Please include ample postage as the packets are heavy and large size envelopes have a surcharge. You've invested in that classy wardrobe, stay classy by purchasing enough stamps.

[SigKapSweetie]

Originally Posted by MaryPoppins

Recruitment teams are reporting that PNM packets are arriving with "Postage Due" notices attached. This is not how a PNM wants her name to be remembered (with the Recruitment Officer gathering the mail having to wait in the postal clerk line because you skimped on the postage.) Please include ample postage as the packets are heavy and large size envelopes have a surcharge. You've invested in that classy wardrobe, stay classy by purchasing enough stamps.

Wow. If I were the Recruitment Officer, I would tell them to return it to the sender. Beyond tacky.

[33girl]

They're probably so unused to using snail mail that they don't understand the concept of extra postage.

[MaryPoppins]

Originally Posted by 33girl

They're probably so unused to using snail mail that they don't understand the concept of extra postage.

Personally, I adore sending my letters of reference electronically. My work uses a lot of electronic documents and evidence. Still, I remember reading those special handwritten letter recs, with that certain touch of the grand dames, now so many years ago, back when I was helping open and organize PNM information.

[GratefulGramma]

My step-daughter and her friends (40's) sent their recs for my granddaughter by snail mail. My old-fogey friend sent hers electronically.

[tcsparky]

Is the PNM the one sending in the packet, or the Rec writer?

[MaryPoppins]

Usually, it's the Alumna Rec Writer sending the packet using the PNMs prepared envelope with stamps on it and the Chapters address on it. A PNM should clarify with the Rec Writer if there is another address that should be on the packet in case it has to go through a Rec Board or a similar area committee.

To estimate the correct amount of postage:
1. In consultation with your Rec Writer determine the FINAL ZIP CODE of the packet.
2. Take a large manila envelope (size appropriate to PNM packet), FILL it with a model packet including any plain sheets to stand-in for your cover letter and up to a 3 page Rec
3. WEIGH this packet for each zip code and add any up-charge for large/oversize envelope. If you do this at Post Office with a clerk they will give you the right postage for every envelope.

All of the foregoing is the reason I adore electronic submission of Letters of Reference. No postage, and if I need to send it to the Recruitment Reference Board Chair for the PNM's school/city then I just have to add a link from a pull down menu and it's automatically shared. Easy Peasey!

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by MaryPoppins

A PNM should clarify with the Rec Writer if there is another address that should be on the packet in case it has to go through a Rec Board or a similar area committee.

Why would a PNM know this? HOW would a PNM know this?
Sorry, the rec WRITER - the alum - should know this info, or at least know where to get it.
I would never expect a PNM to try to find out the intricacies of recs for each and every sorority on campus....and I'd be suspicious if they knew it!

[Hartofsec]

What my dd did (and what I generally recommend to PNMs who ask about assembling these packets) was weigh the completed packet at the post office, using a zip from the furthest possible point to destination address (those chapter addresses listed on the campus Panhellenic site). Then she added some extra postage to each (I would rather spend $30 extra postage -- a drop in the bucket considering -- than have even one returned to an alum or left at the PO with postage due).

She made labels for the manila envelopes that reflected the addresses provided on the campus Panhellenic site -- for those rec writers who need to submit to a local alum club or obtain another signature -- the postage should cover that postal route as it would likely be in the same city (and alum can paste a label or address over the one provided on envelope -- or as with some of these, hand-deliver via local alum club meeting).

That way dd didn't need to ask the rec-writer where the rec was headed next, and it was a little easier than having each one (of many!) weighed after assembly and prior to mailing/delivery to rec-writer.

But this was slightly before the current availability and prevalence of e-submission, so submitting recs electronically would eliminate extra papers and postage.

Currently, however, I think it is still a good idea to just include the addressed envelope with postage in all packets -- a courtesy for those who may not e-submit (and an option in the event of frustrating e-malfunction). That way the PNM doesn't have to ask each rec-writer if they plan to electronically submit or submit via snail mail. On the other hand, if rec-writers plan to e-submit, then they could mention to PNMs in advance that they need not include any addresses or postage in their packets.