University of Oklahoma Panhellenic Guides Will Not Disaffiliate Next Year

[dukedg]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

2) each group has 3 RG's, so if you don't feel comfortable talking to one, you talk to another

That's a great idea and would allay my concerns, especially if the RGs cover a wide range of chapters in each group (strong recruiting, middle recruiting, weak recruiting). That way you will likely have someone you can feel comfortable talking to about your situation without offending the RG or thinking you might.

[LaneSig]

I haven't checked irishpipes's Recruitment thread to see when Oklahoma has their recruitment, but I was wondering if they went ahead with plans for the RGs not to disaffiliate?

[sissyintexas]

Their recruitment has started today.

[DiWantstoTravel]

Today is day 2, Philanthropy Round.

[Sciencewoman]

I have to agree with DBB that it's become a fairly futile endeavor to conceal your affiliation. My daughter had 3 Rho Chis and that worked well, but one forgot to deactivate her Linked In account and her affiliation was listed there. It's probably time to give up the good fight and figure out how to make non-anonymous Rho Chis work. My campus goes overboard to keep up the anonymity (housing Rho Chis in a hotel, having a very long disaffiliation period, no conversation if you see a sister on campus, etc.). It's taxing on the Rho Chis. They're in a bubble.

I will be curious to see how it goes at Oklahoma.

[DiWantstoTravel]

I'm curious too and will ask my daughter when it's all over. My understanding is that the RGs don't advertise their affiliation and they stay in the dorms with their PNM groups. They do basic things like take their org name out of their twitter, instagram, and facebook profiles. They don't advertise their affiliation, and they do not participate in member selection. My outsider parental view is that the OU Panhel is well organized and my daughter says she doesn't see any huge issues among the various chapters.

[Kristin AGD]

My daughter is at OU recruitment. She knows the RGs don't have to keep it a secret this year. But her RGs are keeping their affiliations to themselves. I think my daughter likes that she doesn't know yet. But I am sure if someone really wanted to know, they could find out. So, from what I can tell, it is working well so far. I guess we will know for sure on Tuesday

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by DiWantstoTravel

I'm curious too and will ask my daughter when it's all over. My understanding is that the RGs don't advertise their affiliation and they stay in the dorms with their PNM groups. They do basic things like take their org name out of their twitter, instagram, and facebook profiles. They don't advertise their affiliation, and they do not participate in member selection. My outsider parental view is that the OU Panhel is well organized and my daughter says she doesn't see any huge issues among the various chapters.

This sounds much more realistic and practical. I agree that they should not participate in MS and the emphasis should be on offering support and impartial advice....but this has already been the norm, whether affiliations are kept secret or not.

[DiWantstoTravel]

Bid day was today at OU; not sure what quota was but I know Delta Gamma has 95 new members! Several Instagram pics featured Rho Gammas running home to their chapters. I think a dedicated internet sleuth could have found their Greek associations but it seemed that they made some effort to remain unaffiliated. I'd call this a successful experiment; If I hear anything different I'll post an update.

[*winter*]

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

I have to agree with DBB that it's become a fairly futile endeavor to conceal your affiliation. My daughter had 3 Rho Chis and that worked well, but one forgot to deactivate her Linked In account and her affiliation was listed there. It's probably time to give up the good fight and figure out how to make non-anonymous Rho Chis work. My campus goes overboard to keep up the anonymity (housing Rho Chis in a hotel, having a very long disaffiliation period, no conversation if you see a sister on campus, etc.). It's taxing on the Rho Chis. They're in a bubble.

I will be curious to see how it goes at Oklahoma.

Wow...just curious, who pays for the hotel?

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by *winter*

Wow...just curious, who pays for the hotel?

When I was a rush counselor, the hotel was covered by Panhellenic. Trust me, it is not a fancy, 5 star place!

[SimplyMe]

I was a Pi Chi and I felt keeping my affiliation secret benefited most the girls. I had one girl who after having rough round would come talk to me frequently and she straight up told me one day she didn't understand why she kept getting invited back to this one house (which happened to be my chapter.) I had to hide my disappointment while explaining they must see something great in her, but we wouldn't have been able to have that conversation had she known it was my chapter. I think knowing your counselors chapter may keep them from being fully honest with you and can make the counselor job harder.
Also after every round my partner and I would have the girls guess and I enjoyed watching as no one could guess my chapter. I had a guess for every chapter except the newest one (they knew I was a senior and had gone through recruitment so I couldn't be one) and I believes that shows you really can't believe all the stereotypes for each chapter.
The only downside to disaffiliation came later when girls were stuck with two chapters they thought we bad because of tent talk and you want to tell them very badly that one is yours and it's nothing like they heard.
The only time I broke disaffiliation was after I gave a girl her t-shirt and she was very upset it wasn't the chapter she wanted. We were doing Pi Chi reveal next and I promised her I'd be with her all day and be right back with her.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by *winter*

Wow...just curious, who pays for the hotel?

Panhel pays, which likely uses registration fees to support the cost.

[DubaiSis]

I think from a practicality standpoint it's just too outdated to fight to maintain. I think the rush guides (I like that term) should be able to counsel fairly even if it's not a secret. And if they can't then they are not Panhellenic enough to hold the position.

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I think from a practicality standpoint it's just too outdated to fight to maintain. I think the rush guides (I like that term) should be able to counsel fairly even if it's not a secret. And if they can't then they are not Panhellenic enough to hold the position.

I don't think that the counselors are the issue. It is the PNM who might not feel that she can be honest about her feelings or reluctant to talk to the RC at all, if the issue involves her own chapter.