Pledging period issue

[MikeBFiji]

Your chapter may really benefit by getting away from "Rush" and start year round recruiting. This way you could set in stone a GPA out of high school, but for those quality guys that do not meet the minimum GPA out of high school you could make sure someone keeps in contact with them and and help them academically. if they are really interested in your organization assign them study hours. Your chapter could help those guys and have a potential member for the following semester. If you wanted to go a different route set a minimum GPA at say 3.0 out of high school, but if they were involved in 2 sports and 2 clubs the requirment could be lowered to a 2.5, etc.

[33girl]

Originally posted by MikeBFiji
If you wanted to go a different route set a minimum GPA at say 3.0 out of high school, but if they were involved in 2 sports and 2 clubs the requirment could be lowered to a 2.5, etc.

I don't think the school would let them get away with that, nor do I think they should - it's discriminatory. True, your membership selection process should take into account whether someone's in extracurriculars but I don't think you should lower the minimum GPA for them. It kind of flies in the face of everything we say about Greek membership teaching time management. "I only have a 1.5, but it's OK because I'm in 10 clubs!" You shouldn't encourage people to do one thing less well just because they are doing other things.

Especially if you are looking at HS extracurriculars - some of them are just total BS things that meet maybe once a year and take no time but look good on a transcript.

[MikeBFiji]

Sorry, let me clarify. The requirement of a 3.0 would be your individual chapter's GPA requirement and would be well above the minimum GPA required by the school. Then if you felt there was a man that encompassed the values of the fraternity, but didn't have the chapter's minimum GPA and was still above the school's required GPA, you could except him.

For example, my chapter requires a 3.0 GPA from high school, while the university only requires a 2.3 or 2.4 GPA from high school. If a potential recruit encompassed our values and a proven leader, but was unable to obtain a 3.0 high school GPA we have a the ability to lower the requirement to a minimum 2.75 GPA. Then I have faith in our pledge program and the chapter to teach him time management and the importance of scholoarship.

In my opinion the greek system should be in the business of taking good men or women and making them great men and women. As the case would be for UNLDelt that didn't do so hot in high school, but has exceled in college.

[UNLDelt]

Originally posted by MikeBFiji
Your chapter may really benefit by getting away from "Rush" and start year round recruiting. This way you could set in stone a GPA out of high school, but for those quality guys that do not meet the minimum GPA out of high school you could make sure someone keeps in contact with them and and help them academically. if they are really interested in your organization assign them study hours. Your chapter could help those guys and have a potential member for the following semester. If you wanted to go a different route set a minimum GPA at say 3.0 out of high school, but if they were involved in 2 sports and 2 clubs the requirment could be lowered to a 2.5, etc.

Actually my chapter was starting to move towards year round recruitment before the eight week limit was instituted. We saw the eight week program as an advantage for our transition in that we could have two pledge periods a semester, thus letting us bring in more guys mid term when the 2nd eight week period can start and not have the issue of them jumping into the middle of a pledge class that his half way through their lessons and activities. So we wanted to work with the eight weeks but still retain a kind of "collegiate" GPA requirement to initiate rather than just cop out and apply for an extension of the pledge program. Besides, we have a feeling that the extension allowance will not last forever and eventually we would have to make the change so why not start working out the kinks now rather than later. Unfortunatly the task of changing our chapter's recruitment stratagy to year round in a fraternity recruitment system that has always been summer focused has been a very difficult task, especially when we are a large house that needs pledge classes of an average of 25 to keep going, and are part of a large greeksystem. We are making steps, but we will still get a huge majority of our recruits during summer and a few here or there during the school year. (this semester I think we have pledged 3 new men, but that's compaired to the 24 we pledged this summer. And that's more guys signed during the semester than any other chapter on campus, with the exception of the chapter that does not have a house, they almost act as a club though, no disrespect, but they operate differently than the other fraternities on our campus).

We put the emphasis on guaging the 'collegiate' academic standard due to the fact that just as a man can have a 2.75 out of HS but be an honor student in college...you can have an honor student out of HS who finds out that college isn't really for him when he pulls a 0.5 (happend to a young man who pledged my chapter a few years ago, we tried all we could and more with the academic program and helping him on a one on one level, he just had a difficult time with college as some young men and women do). So the fact that we would like to wait and see if they can successfully make the academic, and social adjustment to college during the pledge period (of course with all of our assistance they would want/need) before we bring them in is NOT a bad thing. We are just trying to maintain the higher standards that we claim as a fraternity.
My chapter's philosophy was that the pledge period is the time of adjustment. Where the chapter can see if the pledge can meet the expectations they would for him as a brother, and for the pledge to see if the chapter can meet his expectations he would have for them as a brotherhood. And yes, sometimes those decisions can be made and those expectations met on both sides after eight weeks, but not for everyone and not for every situation. But what's wrong with giving it more time on both sides to be more certain? I say nothing is wrong with that. Forcing things can lead to hast, which can lead to bad decisions that effect men who may not be ready for membership and in turn effect the fraternity. But taking time to be sure that each side can offer what the other expects before the lifelong commitment is made, well that can, and I believe will, lead to better brothers and a better fraternity.

[gpb1874]

for a year round recruitment, you don't necessarily have to do anything different or more than you are now. here are a couple of suggestions:

* start making a list of guys who are not affiliated and who could make a good member. maybe have each brother give at least 2 names and their contact info.

* during a regularly scheduled event (brotherhood, philanthropy, etc), invite a certain percentage of those guys on the list. don't make it a special recruitment thing. just invite them and say something like "hey man, my chapter is having this fun brotherhood event (describe), why don't you come with me?"

this gives the chapter a chance to meet them without being in a formal recruitment type setting and the guy gets to meet the brothers without feeling like he is being fed info to get him to join. after all/most of the guys get a chance to meet him and talk to him and they think he has potential, have someone close talk to him about the possibility of joining. doesn't have to be a bid offer. it could be an invitation to being the recruitment process during the next round.

if he's interested, you get him. if he's not, no big deal. this is a good way to get members who may have thought fraternity was not for him or is just a little unsure of it all. if he sees how your guys are during "normal" (aka non-rush) time, he may see the benefits and realize it's for him.

[Little E]

I might be missing something here but if the biggest issue are grades and...If you really want to do a class right at the beginning of fall semester ONLY take men who have a college GPA behind them, ie sophomores, jrs, transfers, etc.

Do rush events for the first 5 weeks or so of the fall semester. Bid first year's no earlier than the 6th week of school, that would put their initiation the in the first week of 2nd semester. If people are regional you can work with them either at meeting over winter break or via online forums to keep them involved and thinking about the fraternity (highly key in my opinion as we had poor retention over long breaks). They would initiate their first week back from winter break so you would have their grades. I don't know if this is in IFC rules or whatever, I don't know them, but it was how we worked with our no initiating first-semester first-years rule. If you feel like you need more 'class time' with them, make the last few weeks of rush invite only. Again I'm not familiar with IFC rules, but it would keep you with your national rules, get you the grade info etc.

[TSteven]

While most of these suggestions are good, they may not be applicable with respect to how fraternity rush currently works at UNLDelt's college - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

My understanding is that most (all?) chapters that have houses recruit *incoming freshman* starting as far back as March (when the men are high school seniors) with open houses. (Usually during state playoffs, campus visits, etc.) Incoming (accepted to UNL) male freshman who are interested in the UNL Greek System may fill out a general application to the University declaring their interest in the UNL Greek System. This list is provided to each chapter.

Over the summer each chapter may then contact any of these (and other) *incoming freshman* and invite them to their specific rush events. (Open rush events are held as well.) Most bids are given out to and accepted by *incoming freshman* over the summer. The *incoming freshman* that accept, become pledges of the chapter. And instead of moving into a dorm, they move *directly* into the fraternity house from day one.

So there is a need by the chapters to get their pledge class *before* the school year starts. Otherwise, they are left with open spaces (beds/rooms) in their house and the cost goes up etc. And this is why retaining members is important as well. If they don't make their grades and drop out of the fraternity, then there is yet another bed open.

Frankly, for UNLDelt's chapter (all chapters at Nebraska) to be competitive, they will need to continue early/summer rush. At least until most (every?) chapter at UNL changes how they conduct rush.

[UNLDelt]

Originally posted by TSteven
While most of these suggestions are good, they may not be applicable with respect to how fraternity rush currently works at UNLDelt's college - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln...

Yes,
Thank you TSteven. While those ideas are great for some schools...it's just not applicable to the University of Nebraska's Greek System or my chapter.
My chapter does do some of the things Little E and gpb1874 mentioned (i.e.-maintain lists of guys friends and hold regular recruitment events through the year so as to pick up the interest of those guys and others) but, we cannot move to do our entire recruitment that way due to the fact the over 90% of those who rush are incoming freshmen that apply for SUMMER recruitment. Year round rec. is just not established on my campus. As I said before...we do get two or three guys mid-semester, on average.
The focus on freshmen is also the reason that we cannot afford to only recruit only guys with collegiate academic backgrounds already like sophs. or transfers. We average maybe 1-2 upperclassmen pledges each year...that's out of an average class size of 25 (my pledge class had 36 guys in it...only 4 of which were upperclassmen, the rest of us were freshmen).

I'm all for year round recruitment...actually I think having the mix of a solid summer recruitment program and still being open to and working on a year round strategy is great. Best of both worlds. But back to the major issue we had was...

Is there anything wrong with having an academic standard to initiate, and offering those who do not appear to meet that standard (or perhaps another initiation standard that our national office allows, such as a test on the history and ideals) after one eight week program another eight weeks (essentally the rest of the semester) to achieve? We recognize that it may take some men a little longer to become adjusted, but we don't want to cut them for that reason...nor do we want to lower the chapter's standards by taking them in before they are ready to assume and reflect the responsibilities of membership, which is essentially what the pledge period is intended to teach and allow them to demonstrate.

[UNLDelt]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input on this so far...good to have GC as a resource to bounce ideas and questions back and fourth!

[Coramoor]

My problem with the year round recruitment, 2 classes semester is that it makes chapters focus on numbers. The chapter goes from rush to pledging...to rush to pledging....to rush etc with no time to just enjoy being in a fraternity.

If it was possible at my school, I'd rather only have one rush a year. Numbers are never a bases on which to judge a good chapter, although many people seem to think it is. Additionally, just taking guys to fill numbers is going to screw you in the end. You will end up taking guys that otherwise shouldn't have gotten a bid and in the end that will bite you in the ass.

[UNLDelt]

Originally posted by Coramoor
My problem with the year round recruitment, 2 classes semester is that it makes chapters focus on numbers. The chapter goes from rush to pledging...to rush to pledging....to rush etc with no time to just enjoy being in a fraternity.

If it was possible at my school, I'd rather only have one rush a year. Numbers are never a bases on which to judge a good chapter, although many people seem to think it is. Additionally, just taking guys to fill numbers is going to screw you in the end. You will end up taking guys that otherwise shouldn't have gotten a bid and in the end that will bite you in the ass.

I agree that focusing on numbers alone is negative. But if your chapter finds great individuals, who would rather join sooner than wait a whole semester before the next chance...then only having eight weeks at the most before they can officialy pledge and begin their program is a positive thing. Sure with a summer recruitment focus it won't be utilized as much...but I see our greek system turning towards a more year round recruitmen focus, and if we have this eight week program up and running (**while maintaining the academic standards my chapter would like too**) as the transition moves along then we will just be better prepaired to accomodate the changes.

There are good benifits to a single main rush period a year. But as with everything there are also drawbacks. Fraternity Recruitment bugets at my school are very large (average 12-13 thousand a year) b/c each chapter is responsible for planning and holding their own events over the summer (there are a handful of organized event put on by Greek affairs) and the chapter must cover all travel expenses as it is summer time and you likely have to go To the rushees in their hometowns b/c they are not readily availible on campus as they are during the school year. So its a costly practice, but for larger schools and chapters it can work.

[Tom Earp]

LXA used to have a Semester/Trimester Requirement.

They now suggest an 8 Week Association. I never agreed with that personally, but I am just an Alum.

The idea with 8 weeks was to get the Mid-Term Pass or not Grades. If for some reason a New Associate did not have Grades, he was carried over but for one Semester only.

My main Problem with The Short Periods, is how does a New PNA Learn about The Fraternity and The Local History and The Members depending on How Large a Chapter is?

If they do not have to learn anything, then We just become Clubs!

[Coramoor]

I totally agree.

In a chapter of 70-80 members that takes 25-30 pledges...there is no way in hell a meaningful bond is built in 8 weeks. You will have a max of 8 weekly meetings, avg. 2 parties a week, with a few date parties thrown in....and that's about it. Then you are in and that's it.

[Kevin]

8 weeks is total crap.

Can you apply to your HQ for permission to act outside those rules? If not, find out what the procedure is to change a rule like that. With my organization, the undergrad chapters still retain a final say on any new rules by way of a vote at our national convention.

[UNLDelt]

Originally posted by ktsnake
8 weeks is total crap.

Can you apply to your HQ for permission to act outside those rules? If not, find out what the procedure is to change a rule like that. With my organization, the undergrad chapters still retain a final say on any new rules by way of a vote at our national convention.

There is a way to petition for an extension of the pledge period, but we felt that trying to incorporate it early would be better as we work towards more year round recruitment and also b/c we felt that the extensions would not be granted forever and eventually we would have to adapt, so why not just find a way sooner than later.
Delt has the same final say at our Karnea (our convention, which is our legislative body of the fraternity) so there was a final vote from every chapter. It was very close, but passed. It was strongly pushed by the smaller chapters, from smaller schools with smaller greek systems (small is not bad, just different than my particular chapter). Which I can see how it would help them bring in members and be benificial to them...but they wouldn't have the same issues as a large chapter such as mine (average 80 men) competing in larger greek systems (21 IFC and 7 NPHC fraternities). So the slight minority of larger chapters like mine are having troubles incorporating this while still trying to stay competitive on our campuses (again, they don't want us to hold an academic requirement for initation-we would be one of the ONLY chapters on campus to not have that standard)