Resident Assistants (RAs!) in recruitment

[AGoDdess]

I'm going to be a Resident Assistant (RA) in a sophomore dorm next year, and Panhellenic at my school voted not to allow RAs--even those in dorms where the residents know her affiliation--to participate in recruitment because it could be dirty rushing.

I already know all about PPC and encouraging Greek Life instead of my organization, but my suitemates are in my sorority and will be attending MS each night. To what extent should I talk to them, and how should I act toward my residents if they decide to go through recruitment?

[susan314]

Originally Posted by AGoDdess

I already know all about PPC and encouraging Greek Life instead of my organization, but my suitemates are in my sorority and will be attending MS each night. To what extent should I talk to them, and how should I act toward my residents if they decide to go through recruitment?

I'm going to offer my own suggestions/opinions here, with the caveat that I'd also touch base with your Panhellenic to see if they have any rules/recommendations regarding the situation too. Most likely, if you have questions about it, other Greek RAs do too, so they may appreciate having any potential questions/concerns brought to light.

As far as talking to your suitemates about MS...that's a fine line for you to walk (IMO). Being that you are a member, the secrecy factor isn't necessarily an issue...but the fact that you'd be having your conversations in the dorm would be a potential issue. (It would be horrible if PNMs or even members of other sororities overheard your conversations in the dorm.) I don't typically believe that MS stuff should be discussed outside of the house - even if the conversations are between members only.

It doesn't sound like there's anything prohibiting you from talking with your suitemates during recruitment about how recruitment is going in general, but I'd avoid getting into any detailed MS conversations in the dorm setting!

As far as how to act towards your residents - the best thing you can do is to be a positive example of Greek Life in general. If your residents press you with detailed questions about recruitment, I'd suggest that you politely direct them to their Rho Chi (or Rho Gamma, or whatever rush counselors are called on your campus). You can wish them good luck and express enthusiasm about the Greek system in general. But I'd avoid answering any sticky questions ("So, should I suicide my favorite house?" "I don't like some of the houses I'm supposed to go to, can I skip those parties?" etc.) and direct them to their Rho Chi...you'd hate to have any of your advice backfire (even if well intentioned), and then create an awkward situation on your floor for the rest of the year!

(And again, anything that your local Panhellenic has established should be followed, even if it contradicts some of my suggestions above. )

[melsigkap]

This was really difficult for me this year; I'm an RA in a freshman building. Basically, I was told to do what was part of my job description...and if someone needed to talk about a rush situation, I sent them to my co-RA, who is unaffiliated. It's interesting though, many girls on my floor are now sisters of mine too, but I would hate to think it's because I may have talked to them in an RA role during silence period, or something like that.

[AChiOhSnap]

Originally Posted by susan314

I'm going to offer my own suggestions/opinions here, with the caveat that I'd also touch base with your Panhellenic to see if they have any rules/recommendations regarding the situation too. Most likely, if you have questions about it, other Greek RAs do too, so they may appreciate having any potential questions/concerns brought to light.

As far as talking to your suitemates about MS...that's a fine line for you to walk (IMO). Being that you are a member, the secrecy factor isn't necessarily an issue...but the fact that you'd be having your conversations in the dorm would be a potential issue. (It would be horrible if PNMs or even members of other sororities overheard your conversations in the dorm.) I don't typically believe that MS stuff should be discussed outside of the house - even if the conversations are between members only.

It doesn't sound like there's anything prohibiting you from talking with your suitemates during recruitment about how recruitment is going in general, but I'd avoid getting into any detailed MS conversations in the dorm setting!

As far as how to act towards your residents - the best thing you can do is to be a positive example of Greek Life in general. If your residents press you with detailed questions about recruitment, I'd suggest that you politely direct them to their Rho Chi (or Rho Gamma, or whatever rush counselors are called on your campus). You can wish them good luck and express enthusiasm about the Greek system in general. But I'd avoid answering any sticky questions ("So, should I suicide my favorite house?" "I don't like some of the houses I'm supposed to go to, can I skip those parties?" etc.) and direct them to their Rho Chi...you'd hate to have any of your advice backfire (even if well intentioned), and then create an awkward situation on your floor for the rest of the year!

(And again, anything that your local Panhellenic has established should be followed, even if it contradicts some of my suggestions above. )

Ditto, ditto, DITTO. I want to second this whole post. It would probably be in your best interest to pretend you're an assistant "Rho Chi" -- in that you're in a position to counsel these young women through the recruitment experience -- by remaining as neutral as possible during recruitment. Susan314 said to redirect any tough questions toward these girls' Rho Chis and I couldn't agree more. It's not your job to advise your residents on the nitty gritty of formal recruitment. That's for the Greek Life office (+ recruitment counselors) to handle. However, if one of your residents is upset following FR, you need to be prepared to counsel her... but that's where your responsibilities end. You should be a sympathetic ear in the event of a disappointment and a cheerleader for your residents' happy endings.

For the whole FR period, it would probably be in your best interest to refrain from advertising your affiliation (despite what your suitemates are going to do) even if you're not required to be neutral like the RXs are.

Having been an RA myself, I know how difficult it's going to be, especially when you're dealing with disappointed young women... I'm not going to lie. But remaining a neutral presence is the best way to go.

[ekDZ1535]

I would also recommend discussing with your Greek Advisor/Panhellenic Advisor and/or the recruitment chairs regarding NPC formal recruitment rules in regards to this - not being able to participate in recruitment because you are an RA is unfair to your chapter let alone the Greek community - we promote involvement as being members of sororities and that shouldn't be punished during recruitment. Although their concerns of swaying any potential new members opinion as an RA may have some sense, overall, using that same logic, you should restrict any member of a highly-visible campus organization, such as student government, orientation leaders, etc. from participating in individual chapter's recruitment. As long as you are aware, as well as any other member regarding recruitment practices and that you can indeed talk to PNMs at any time, just not about joining your specific chapter - strict silence was reversed by NPC 3-4 years ago (the only strict silence period is between bid signing and bid day/announcement). Help your recruitment chairs be aware of the rules and realize that this isn't only hurting your chapter but also in bringing exposure to sorority women who are involved on campus as part of the recruiting process and the leadership opportunities many sorority women take advantage of.

[FSUZeta]

i know that it would be far easier for me to get thru recruitment if i did not get into in-depth discussions with my suite mates/sisters during recruitment. maybe just a "there are a lot of great girls going thru" or "we had great returns today", but no more info. than that. set the ground rules with your sisters before recruitment starts. make it easy on yourself.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ekDZ1535

I would also recommend discussing with your Greek Advisor/Panhellenic Advisor and/or the recruitment chairs regarding NPC formal recruitment rules in regards to this - not being able to participate in recruitment because you are an RA is unfair to your chapter let alone the Greek community - we promote involvement as being members of sororities and that shouldn't be punished during recruitment. Although their concerns of swaying any potential new members opinion as an RA may have some sense, overall, using that same logic, you should restrict any member of a highly-visible campus organization, such as student government, orientation leaders, etc. from participating in individual chapter's recruitment. As long as you are aware, as well as any other member regarding recruitment practices and that you can indeed talk to PNMs at any time, just not about joining your specific chapter - strict silence was reversed by NPC 3-4 years ago (the only strict silence period is between bid signing and bid day/announcement). Help your recruitment chairs be aware of the rules and realize that this isn't only hurting your chapter but also in bringing exposure to sorority women who are involved on campus as part of the recruiting process and the leadership opportunities many sorority women take advantage of.

Excellent post, and I'm so glad your campus is up to date with this!

When I see women on here saying "we're not allowed to talk to PNMs at all from May until December" because they mistakenly think that's what deferred rush is I want to scream.

[carnation]

Check your private messages!

[AlphaFrog]

I agree that it's silly that RAs are being precluded from Rush.

Sure, it's a postion that's got more opportunities to dirty rush, but it's certainly not inevitible that it would occur. I guess I can see how it would be more likely to occur inadvertantly. Also, most chapters that dirty rush are going to do it, no matter how many restrictions are put in place.