Why are recs absolutely necessary at some schools, while not expected at others?

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I have wondered if the "do you know the rushee personally" box on our profile forms (I don't know what other sorority forms say but I've heard here that there is a similar question on other forms) isn't telling them whether to keep or round file the form. But if that's the case, I wish they would say "we will no longer accept recommendations for members you do not personally know." And then we could stop telling girls they absolutely positively have to have recs.

Yes it seems that most rec forms include a similar question – and honestly, it seems as if the rec forms themselves may be somewhat outdated.

These generally seem to ask the same questions requiring objective responses (like GPA, SAT/ACT, class rank, Greek affiliations, etc) and have (too small) spaces to include activities, honors, community service, etc.

Some have boxes to check on subjective items like poise and moral character – but it seems to me, considering the times, it should probably ask “Does the PNM’s Facebook or Twitter contain objectionable material? ” instead. (kidding, but not really)

After spending some (aggravating) time trying to log in to download rec forms (and calling to straighten out the site glitch), I discovered that these are online (in legitimate places) just for the googling. I checked about four other GLOs – same thing. Irksome, but just another sign of the times I guess.

[MaryPoppins]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

After spending some (aggravating) time trying to log in to download rec forms (and calling to straighten out the site glitch), I discovered that these are online (in legitimate places) just for the googling. I checked about four other GLOs – same thing. Irksome, but just another sign of the times I guess.

Maybe I am just a GenX technogeek but I adore submitting the forms online electronically. For my GLO, if you have access to your GLO's member side of the GLO web site, then you have access to submit the forms electronically including uploaded jpg photos. And I have heard that the Ole Miss Theta recruitment team also appreciates the electronic forms.

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by MaryPoppins

Maybe I am just a GenX technogeek but I adore submitting the forms online electronically. For my GLO, if you have access to your GLO's member side of the GLO web site, then you have access to submit the forms electronically including uploaded jpg photos. And I have heard that the Ole Miss Theta recruitment team also appreciates the electronic forms.

Most do appreciate that as it makes it easier to import to a power point for the chapter. At least the groups I'm around like that aspect.

[adpiucf]

I agree that is is a way to manage numbers at a school with tons of PNMs and also a way to keep the alumnae involved. There are alumnae associations who LIVE for rec-writing season!

[greekdee]

Back in my day (boy do I sound like my grandmother or what), a rec was a rare and precious jewel. Believe me, when the rush chair said "we got a rec on her," the response was "ooooh wow" and that rushee got a closer look. Today, in the SEC and schools like it, I think the conversation is more like "Rec? Check."

I just don't know how to eliminate the current rec situation in these huge recruitments because recs do factor into who survives early release under RFM. Eventually, though, everyone at these schools will have recs because the word is out. What then? Release the girls who have less than 12 recs? If GPA becomes the sole factor in automatic early cuts, it will get to the point where a 3.8 is considered on the low end of the scale. That's ridiculous. Hey, maybe total can be raised to 700! Seriously, there has to be a better way to manage the numbers.

I just wish I knew what it was, but feel like it needs to be built into the recruitment process, allowing more opportunity to meet PNMs...yet these SEC recruitments are already made up of long, jam-packed days. If you start having a lot of early pre-recruitment events, well, that will put a lot of OSS girls at a disadvantage. Given the dynamics they are working with, I don't see the current rec situation changing in the near future.

Man, can you imagine what the mail load looks like? Imagine if every one one of Bama's 2000 PMNs had two recs to every chapter? Would not want to sort through that!

I do wonder how deferred recruitment might work at these schools with massive, uber-competitive recruitments. It would give sorority members a whole semester to meet PNMs and see them out and about. I don't see it happening, at least not in the SEC where tradition rules...but you do sometimes need to change with the times and adapt to your environment! Just a thought, good or bad.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

That is what I'm wondering -- how does (potentially) the same information that PNMs can submit themselves carry more weight when submitted on a rec form? (acknowledging that actual personal recommendations carry weight)

Probably because

Originally Posted by KDCat

Without getting too much into membership selection... This is the only input many alumnae get into membership selection. If it's a lifelong sisterhood, our opinions should be heard, too.

I wonder if any of the NPCs that require a rec to be pledged (whether it's a SEC-type recruitment or a chapter where no one has recs prior to rush and an alum writes them after the fact) have ever proposed getting rid of them as a necessity. I realize that's way too nosy of a question.

[adpiucf]

Personally, I don't think the content of the recommendation means anything unless it contains information not otherwise made apparent in the application of the PNM. On the contrary, I think the recommendation's value is in the weight of the fact that it is an alumna recommendation. Each sorority will value that differently in the scheme of their private membership selection process.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Probably because

I was thinking about that -- and I wondered -- how do those alumnae who believe recs are absolutely necessary feel about having lifelong sisters who slipped into the sisterhood without one?

Just food for thought.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

I was thinking about that -- and I wondered -- how do those alumnae who believe recs are absolutely necessary feel about having lifelong sisters who slipped into the sisterhood without one?

Just food for thought.

Many sororities require recs in order to be initiated. I know of several campuses where recs are not the norm and where chapter advisers sign off on the new members. So technically, everyone who is initiated in those sororities with that requirement doesn't slip in... their recs come after recruitment but prior to initiation.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Many sororities require recs in order to be initiated. I know of several campuses where recs are not the norm and where chapter advisers sign off on the new members. So technically, everyone who is initiated in those sororities with that requirement doesn't slip in... their recs come after recruitment but prior to initiation.

Now I really don't understand the point or utility of that.

[DubaiSis]

Rush needs to take longer at the huge schools. That it takes virtually the same number of days for IU and for a school with 4 chapters is just insane. Round one should take 3 days so that the parties can last longer and allow more time to talk. And round 2 should be 2 days. If the chapters were relying more on actual conversation they could rely less on paperwork from strangers.

[greekdee]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Rush needs to take longer at the huge schools. That it takes virtually the same number of days for IU and for a school with 4 chapters is just insane. Round one should take 3 days so that the parties can last longer and allow more time to talk. And round 2 should be 2 days. If the chapters were relying more on actual conversation they could rely less on paperwork from strangers.

This. Yes.

[AOII Angel]

The rec issue in the SEC predates RFM, greekdee. I have many friends that rushed at LSU and I nearly did. I had two recs lined up for each chapter at LSU way before RFM was ever even a glimmer in the NPC's eye. Friends of mine without recs were cut across the board day 1 when they showed up without recs. It's been a tradition in the SEC for a long time...maybe because of number of PNMs, maybe just because of tradition. Smaller Southern schools don't do this so I don't know what the exact answer is, but it may be a combination of many things.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Rush needs to take longer at the huge schools. That it takes virtually the same number of days for IU and for a school with 4 chapters is just insane. Round one should take 3 days so that the parties can last longer and allow more time to talk. And round 2 should be 2 days. If the chapters were relying more on actual conversation they could rely less on paperwork from strangers.

I agree that spending more time in each house would be better – but all rounds except pref are already scheduled to be 2 days long (at Bama anyway). This can be really grueling for the actives, since the chapters often have more parties than the maximum PNMs can attend (due to accommodating numbers in the physical space of the houses). In the bad ol’ days, for instance, on four-party day (now skit day – round 3), the PNMs could attend up to four parties, and each chapter conducted only four parties.

I'm not sure how many more days of recruitment would be needed in order to provide more opportunity for conversation, considering the numbers at some of these schools, but I don't think the actives would survive it!

I don’t know of a solution – just thinking out loud.

[amIblue?]

I do think its an easy way to manage numbers.