Why Sorority Recruitment is Horrible and Needs to Change

[FSUZeta]

It would not work. The most desired chapters would have an overflow of PNMs, while the less desired chapters would have considerably less attendees. It harkens back to the pre-RFM days when the most desired chapters would string PNMs along until the pref. invites where they would drop the ones they knew they were not going to bid. Unfortunately, those PNMs had previously dropped the less desirable (in their eyes) chapters for the more desirable ones, so they had none to little to choose from after they were dropped from the "it" chapters. There is also something called a fire code, so having 500 or so PNMs descend on a top chapter for a party would probably violate the fire code.

Besides that, RFM seems to be improving parity between chapters as far as numbers go. Why do you think all campuses should conform to your idea of recruitment? I am from a southern recruitment, pre-fall semester background and I think that is the way to go, but I will defend 'til the end another campus's right to hold deferred recruitment if that is what the chapters on that campus desire.

[pinksequins]

YNM -- your position is predicated on a number of faulty assumptions: that your system has never been tried (it has), that the larger invitation list for smaller chapters will result in a corresponding number of attendees (historically no), that your system will eliminate matchy outfit parties (not alone and could instead increase "frills") and smaller numbers mean sustainability. . As many experienced alumnae (women) have said in various ways in response, your form of recruitment led to significant disparities in parity, more (not less) focus on prestige and even closing of chapters.

[MaryPoppins]

These ideas have a certain level of truthiness but the science behind RFM works. It really does when it is fully utilized and properly applied.

[Wynter]

She brings up great points, and this is very well-written. I went through a lot of similar experiences as a RC, feeling frustrated and needing to put on a happy face and tell my girls to trust the process when I myself wasn't always sure if I did.

I respect our process, and I know Panhellenics work hard to do the best they can to find each girl a chapter, but at the same time, I've also always been jealous of how fraternities recruit in more casual settings that are better suited to getting to really know potential brothers.

How can anyone really know someone else after a single, timed conversation?

This has always bothered me...the rushed-edness of rush.

I agree with her idea of moving rush to second semester, so women going through are less likely to feel like this is all or nothing. I've seen too many girls end up frazzled, heartbroken and ready to transfer after an unsuccessful first-semester rush.

I also totally agree with working to find ways of helping conversation be more natural. I've also always thought PNMs need to be better educated by Panhellenic on the process as a whole and told upfront that it is a numbers game.

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by Wynter

How can anyone really know someone else after a single, timed conversation?

This has always bothered me...the rushed-edness of rush.

Precisely the reason I refuse to bow to new terminology. It is rush. It is rushed. Rushed decisions can sometimes be good, but in general, not when made by those who are not intimately familiar with all the factors involved.

[FSUZeta]

Can you please explain what you mean by "number game"?

[Wynter]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

Can you please explain what you mean by "number game"?

As in, only so many girls can get into each chapter, so of course there's going to be women dropped by their favorites and possibly from the entire system. It's not a bad thing, per se, it's just how recruitment (and life) seems to work. I could be wrong.

[Titchou]

All the more reason for recs....

[BlueCarnation]

Originally Posted by Titchou

All the more reason for recs....

That's a really good point--and something I struggle with. There are some young women that I have written recs for that I would love to have as members of my organization and as sorority women in general, but I know would not be good "fits" with my organization's chapter at the campus at which they are going through recruitment. We have our general "requirements" but we also have to be realistic.

I don't think that the current system is perfect, but as others have said, it works.

[33girl]

^^^Do you think they aren't good fits for your chapter in particular or sorority life on that campus in general?

That's coming out snarky and I truly don't mean it to but I don't know how else to word it.

[BlueCarnation]

Originally Posted by 33girl

^^^Do you think they aren't good fits for your chapter in particular or sorority life on that campus in general?

That's coming out snarky and I truly don't mean it to but I don't know how else to word it.

I don't think it's snarky at all. I think they are good fits for sorority life on campus in general, but just not the chapter of my organization on that campus due to different personalities, backgrounds, etc. It's not a value judgment on either the chapter or the young woman; it's just something I struggle with because I value my sorority and sorority membership so much, and want these young women to have a positive experience, but I know that at some places, my sorority might not be the place for them. (I hope that makes sense).

[33girl]

I TOTALLY understand. I think the other side of the coin is difficult too - a chapter that you would have had a bad experience in might be something the girl receiving the rec would fit perfectly in.

I think all you can do is say with your rec, this is a lovely accomplished girl of good character, but if there isn't a fit I understand. This is/was probably easier to do when the girl had no idea she was being rec'ed. (Did that used to be the norm?)

[Nanners52674]

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

I don't think it's snarky at all. I think they are good fits for sorority life on campus in general, but just not the chapter of my organization on that campus due to different personalities, backgrounds, etc. It's not a value judgment on either the chapter or the young woman; it's just something I struggle with because I value my sorority and sorority membership so much, and want these young women to have a positive experience, but I know that at some places, my sorority might not be the place for them. (I hope that makes sense).

I think tiers aside PNMS don't realize that the girl who you talk to on open house who's Omg plays soccer, loves pizza and Disney movies just like you do is planned that way it's not an accident. So I can understand why some girls get confused when a house cuts them.

What I think isn't emphasized enough is that the houses are actually friends with each other. All this talk about tiers makes it sound like each house exists in a vacuum and they don't socialize with each other. They do, and they know the vibes of the other houses and where you would fit (this is where trusting the process comes in), I just wish there was a way for a PNM to get a good vibe off the chapter during formal because everything is so choreographed and planned.

[Titchou]

True, only as many women as sign up and meet the requirements will get bids. If you interpret that to mean "only so many girls can get into each chapter," then you are definitely one of those 'glass is half-empty" folks. There are NO restrictions on the number of bids that can be issued at FR. NONE. It's only limited by the number of women who sign up...and meet the requirements. But there are requirements for membership in many organizations.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by Titchou

True, only as many women as sign up and meet the requirements will get bids. If you interpret that to mean "only so many girls can get into each chapter," then you are definitely one of those 'glass is half-empty" folks. There are NO restrictions on the number of bids that can be issued at FR. NONE. It's only limited by the number of women who sign up...and meet the requirements. But there are requirements for membership in many organizations.

^This^. On the majority of campuses it works like this: say there are 4 sororities and 100 PNMs. If all PNMs make it thru every round of recruitment and all of them maximize their opportunities, i.e. list all the chapters they preffed on their MRABA, then most likely all 4 sororities will end up with 25 new members each, and all PNMs will receive a bid.