The Differences in Sorority & Fraternity Rush: Why?

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

GC's not a controlled sample, though I'd guess it's probably unintentionally representative, at least when it comes to younger alums and current members. Regardless of whether you're a minority of "one" or "one percent" you're not exactly vindicated by your silent thousands.

Never said I was. I have repeatedly stated I don't like this system; I'd prefer no silence rules, deferred rush, no requirement to visit all houses, particularly in a compressed time frame, and no bid-matching. I'd allow a woman to receive as many bids as she can, and then make the choice.

I understand how - and why - it works as it does, but I don't have to like it, nor think it's the best system. I believe there are thousands of others who agree with me, yes, but it doesn't take a CMU grad to understand I'm in the minority. It no more makes me and those others (whether 1 or 1000 or 10000 or whatever - that was obviously a figure of speech) right than it makes the current system right.

And I'm obviously no more likely to convince a proponent of the big rush systems than someone is to convince me every house has to rush the same.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by DGTess

Never said I was. I have repeatedly stated I don't like this system; I'd prefer no silence rules, deferred rush, no requirement to visit all houses, particularly in a compressed time frame, and no bid-matching. I'd allow a woman to receive as many bids as she can, and then make the choice.

I understand how - and why - it works as it does, but I don't have to like it, nor think it's the best system. I believe there are thousands of others who agree with me, yes, but it doesn't take a CMU grad to understand I'm in the minority. It no more makes me and those others (whether 1 or 1000 or 10000 or whatever - that was obviously a figure of speech) right than it makes the current system right.

And I'm obviously no more likely to convince a proponent of the big rush systems than someone is to convince me every house has to rush the same.

How would you solve the problems of bid promising and numbers as well as dirty rushing in general? Would continue to restrict chapters to a quota? If so, how would you deal with PNMs who go bidless after only considering the "top" houses?

It's great to have an idea of what you don't like, silence, bid matching, etc., but how do you solve the problems that those things were designed to address?

[just_peachy06]

Our formal recruitment was kind of a blend between both: we had a series of individual parties spread out over a month and ended with the invitiational and preference events. Chapters could take girls out between recruitment parties (like to lunch, not out drinking) as long as it didn't conflict with other chapter's recruitment events. It was really helpful as a pnm to have enough time to make a comprehensive decision but I think they recently changed it to the week-long structured version because it would be easier on active members (which I don't really think is a good reason) and to make sure members saw every house for an equal amount of time and promote "positive panhellenic contact". I think we intimidated a lot of quality members by appearing to be too "perfect" though. Casual is the way to go!

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

How would you solve the problems of bid promising and numbers as well as dirty rushing in general? Would continue to restrict chapters to a quota? If so, how would you deal with PNMs who go bidless after only considering the "top" houses?

It's great to have an idea of what you don't like, silence, bid matching, etc., but how do you solve the problems that those things were designed to address?

Who cares about those people?! If you don't have five bids to choose from, you obviously don't deserve to go greek, and if you don't have a hundred girls clamoring to join your chapter, get your group off campus!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by just_peachy06

I think we intimidated a lot of quality members by appearing to be too "perfect" though. Casual is the way to go!

This has ZERO to do with a structured schedule of parties. Just because you structure things a little, does not mean that girls who normally don't get more formal than wearing flats have to put on $300 dresses & a pound of makeup, get manicures and air kiss everyone.

This is the kind of thing that drives me absolutely effing crazy. Rush is whatever the women at the school make it. Scheduling and consideration for other groups - and most importantly, consideration for the PNMs so they can see all the groups and make the decision that's best FOR THEM - does NOT turn you into Stepford U. If you put that onus on yourselves, that's your own dumb fault.