Indiana University 2014 Recruitment

[DubaiSis]

They don't need to feel ASHAMED. There is room between shame and completely upending the system they know, love and trust. I think a continued discussion with the current active chapter members would be helpful to institute small changes. The part that is tough for them, for everyone to figure out is how much change how quickly. If the rumor was true about a few more chapters instituting change to allow seniors to live out, it doesn't surprise me that it wouldn't apply to the current year's juniors. These girls didn't join with that as part of their plan. But I do hope it IS true and that future classes will have that as part of the plan. However, that's family business and the rest of us don't need to know until it affects us directly, which is to say when they choose to add some additional new members during future rushes.

Anyone have any feedback on initial visits with the DPhiE folks? It sounds like they certainly have a quality pool from which to draw. For the mothers out there, do keep in mind that colonies want all 4 years represented so even though the colony might take 200 girls, maybe only 100 of them might be freshmen. It's not exactly quarters (they probably DON'T need 50 seniors using this example), but it's not all going to be the freshmen who were just disappointed. It may even be girls who have never rushed. This goes back to not assuming anything about member selection. It's private and their reasoning may not make any sense to you. And by the way, I have no idea how many members they are planning on taking. I'm just guessing at 200 because that seems like a good number to me.

[Mom64]

Bottom Line: Most everyone agrees that the Greek system at IU is seriously flawed but there is very little that can done to change it and very little chance any big changes will occur in the near future.

So, it seems, if you have a daughter is set on being Greek, discourage them from attending IU despite the strong academic program.

[SRBlue]

My daughter was lucky and did get a bid, but she and I both feel badly for the many girls who would have been wonderful additions to the Greek system who did not get a bid. IU Mom, it must be doubly tough for you being so far away. I have shed a few tears for your daughter.

I am grateful for this forum in that it spurred me to call a dear sorority sister I rushed with and reminisce about our own rush. I remember it being fun. We both remember that we felt we were choosing, not being chosen but that was another era. My daughter will likely remember hers being stressful, not fun.

I did not attend IU but was in a new unhoused colony (that has a housed chapter at IU.) It was a wonderfully fun experience. We had an off campus apartment where 4 girls lived. We met there for meetings and just to have fun and work on projects. We were a diverse group but loved each other and had fun bonding experiences. I am sure the IU unhoused chapter pledges will have the same.

[ConfettiCupcake]

I have been following this thread with curiosity and empathy and am impressed at y'all's determination to advocate for changing this system that seems so stubbornly hurtful. Coming from a "competitive" SEC recruitment world, I feel like my experience was all rainbows and marshmellows compared to this craziness!

I do have one silly question - What in the world is a "cold dorm"?

[phialum]

A cold dorm is a large bunk room that sleeps multiple women--and it's often unheated!

[ConfettiCupcake]

Originally Posted by phialum

A cold dorm is a large bunk room that sleeps multiple women--and it's often unheated!

Wow...just wow.

Thanks, I feel so warm now!

[pinksequins]

Four years of live-in cold dorm? Okey dokey.

[midwesterner1]

A lot of the houses also have warm dorms (with heat and AC). And the girls can always sleep in their beds in their rooms, though rooms are not the quietest places at some hours.

[Lalucas]

cold dorms are common both sorority and frats at IU and many other big schools about 40 sleep in one room in bunks....cold because needs lots of fresh air to compensate for all the warm bodies

I'm wondering if the Greek on this page can better explain the numbers "game" to the moms/readers. it seems to me that a better feedback system or grading if you will...would help girls see where they really stand within the process. for instance if a PNM gets invited to 3 pref rounds she could be in the bottom half of all three? and have very little chance of getting a bid if all the girls in front of her accept?

Isn't the best way for landing in a sorority (as long as you are more interested in sisterhood rather than a certain sorority) to target the ones that like you- that want you. if girls knew who was ranking them highly wouldn't that help?

1.how many more girls come to pref round at a given sorority? I'm guessing 3 times the pledge class?

2. doesn't it seem like the same 300 girls are being chased by many of the same sororities? and the shifting occurs from an "on the bubble group"

3. isn't there a term for the girls that are listed on all the sororities "want list"? and when they choose a sorority then girls move up on the unchosen sorority's list? is it cross matching or something?

I guess i'm proposing making the system more responsible or transparent but still honoring each sororities right to choose.

and lastly, isn't it in the best interest of each sorority to choose wisely- poorly matched situations would lead to drama and bad feelings.

I am anxious to hear responses from the women that know the process... and I"m not asking for secrets etc hah ah

[Katmandu]

A lot of people like cold dorms. It is always dark, quiet and cold for sleeping only. It is not where the girls spend their active time. It allows for 2 and 3 girl rooms for study, chatting, and working on projects and space for sleeping and silence only. there is method to the madness....

[cinder1965]

Originally Posted by Katmandu

A lot of people like cold dorms. It is always dark, quiet and cold for sleeping only. It is not where the girls spend their active time. It allows for 2 and 3 girl rooms for study, chatting, and working on projects and space for sleeping and silence only. there is method to the madness....

I slept in the cold air dorm for three years and loved it. I am pretty sure that is why I like the room I am sleeping in as an adult to be cool and pile blankets on top!

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by Lalucas

cold dorms are common both sorority and frats at IU and many other big schools about 40 sleep in one room in bunks....cold because needs lots of fresh air to compensate for all the warm bodies

I'm wondering if the Greek on this page can better explain the numbers "game" to the moms/readers. it seems to me that a better feedback system or grading if you will...would help girls see where they really stand within the process. for instance if a PNM gets invited to 3 pref rounds she could be in the bottom half of all three? and have very little chance of getting a bid if all the girls in front of her accept?

Isn't the best way for landing in a sorority (as long as you are more interested in sisterhood rather than a certain sorority) to target the ones that like you- that want you. if girls knew who was ranking them highly wouldn't that help?

1.how many more girls come to pref round at a given sorority? I'm guessing 3 times the pledge class?

2. doesn't it seem like the same 300 girls are being chased by many of the same sororities? and the shifting occurs from an "on the bubble group"

3. isn't there a term for the girls that are listed on all the sororities "want list"? and when they choose a sorority then girls move up on the unchosen sorority's list? is it cross matching or something?

I guess i'm proposing making the system more responsible or transparent but still honoring each sororities right to choose.

and lastly, isn't it in the best interest of each sorority to choose wisely- poorly matched situations would lead to drama and bad feelings.

I am anxious to hear responses from the women that know the process... and I"m not asking for secrets etc hah ah

I did not qfp this post as it was what I was initially responding to in my immediately previous post.

[Lalucas]

It should be at least informed consent... all of these girls volunteer to put themselves in this situation...I think the travesty is that they don't realize what it will be like.. both emotionally and the "numbers game".

And unfortunately the rho gams can't tell them the full story...can't tell them that they have "no chance at DDD because you are brunette and since they got in trouble for having too many brunettes/NYC/Jewish girls...take your pick... last year they are only looking for blondes this year... tall skinny blondes...

or you don't' come from the "right" neighborhood for that sorority...they all come from Chicago or Carmel etc... yes they can google and zillow your home to see if you have enough money to join Visa-Visa-MasterCard sorority.

Unfortunately, the low down on the sororities is not transparent.. enough to be a level playing field.

But then again who said it was supposed to be?

[als463]

Originally Posted by Lalucas

It should be at least informed consent... all of these girls volunteer to put themselves in this situation...I think the travesty is that they don't realize what it will be like.. both emotionally and the "numbers game".

And unfortunately the rho gams can't tell them the full story...can't tell them that they have "no chance at DDD because you are brunette and since they got in trouble for having too many brunettes/NYC/Jewish girls...take your pick... last year they are only looking for blondes this year... tall skinny blondes...

or you don't' come from the "right" neighborhood for that sorority...they all come from Chicago or Carmel etc... yes they can google and zillow your home to see if you have enough money to join Visa-Visa-MasterCard sorority.

Unfortunately, the low down on the sororities is not transparent.. enough to be a level playing field.

But then again who said it was supposed to be?

Wow. You sure are down on Greek life at IU. Maybe you need to step away from the keyboard for a while to cool down before you further your nasty statements about the sororities (and particular ones). This just makes you appear really bitter. I'm sorry. This has to be said. I get it that IU doesn't have the best way of doing things with the bed rush and things of that nature but, guess what??? SOME GIRLS ACTUALLY GET INTO SORORITIES THERE! No, it may not be perfect but, to pretty much throw the baby out with the bath water is just ridiculous. You are essentially claiming that girls that aren't "rich" or "beautiful" have no chance at all. We get it. It's competitive. Also, as someone who has her sorority represented at IU and knowing the types of philanthropy these young ladies do (along with the other sororities on campus), I have an issue with some of these posters calling out EVERY SORORITY GIRL THERE by saying they are hateful/ cruel because someone's daughter didn't get a bid. It sucks! I know. I'm sorry. Maybe some girls didn't maximize their options. Maybe they look good on paper but, have the personality of a wet mop. Who knows? Don't lump all the sorority women at IU together and make harsh statements about them as a whole because when you do that---you are also putting down the lovely ladies who just went through recruitment and received a bid. It's like you are telling those ladies, "Well, I know why YOU got in. You don't belong there. My daughter does but, the system is flawed and now you are part of that flawed system. You suck!" Please don't ruin it for these ladies who just went through recruitment and received bids. Stop trying to make them (or their mothers) feel bad and as if they shouldn't celebrate this great opportunity because you are angry about the ladies who went bidless. Just stop!

[Rhomom]

Originally Posted by Lalucas

It should be at least informed consent... all of these girls volunteer to put themselves in this situation...I think the travesty is that they don't realize what it will be like.. both emotionally and the "numbers game".

And unfortunately the rho gams can't tell them the full story...can't tell them that they have "no chance at DDD because you are brunette and since they got in trouble for having too many brunettes/NYC/Jewish girls...take your pick... last year they are only looking for blondes this year... tall skinny blondes...

or you don't' come from the "right" neighborhood for that sorority...they all come from Chicago or Carmel etc... yes they can google and zillow your home to see if you have enough money to join Visa-Visa-MasterCard sorority.

Unfortunately, the low down on the sororities is not transparent.. enough to be a level playing field.

But then again who said it was supposed to be?

Wow--just wow. As someone who comes from a bi-racial background, and lives in a very diverse community, I have to say that I have never heard a tirade like that. Significantly, my daughter is my daughter--so she reflects that diversity as well. The statements above are not only patently false, but border on outright bigotry.

Beyond that, I will only address one of these incredibly negative and provocative statements. This year, more than any other year, the IU system--with its many horrible flaws--- was discussed ad nauseam with PNM's. It was in fact, as transparent as the process can be. It sucks, it is completely arbitrary and unfair and it results in unbelievable angst. The pain is amplified by the fact that the system is slow to change--and we can postulate on the reasons and those responsible, but that is not productive.
My daughter chose to be a rhogam;and she spent many hours preparing pnm's for the grind of recruitment and the possible outcome. I can assure you, that they were told to "put it all out there", this year. Unfortunately there is nothing that can really prepare an 18 year old for the emotional roller coaster that may--and often at IU, results in profound disappointment. The women who take on the responsibility of guiding PNM's through the process do it because they care.They sweat, cry and they too were devastated by bad news and were joyful when the news was good. To paraphrase her, there is no rhyme or reason to this process, it is about connection, timing, and most importantly luck. And BTW--she related to me that it was also the "worst week of her 21 year old life".

As far as your comments Lalucas; I do not know you, and I certainly don't presume to know your situation. I hope that this does not reflect your approach to life, will assume you are having a bad day and that you felt safe in making those comments because you are online and anonymous. The best to you.

I am wondering if it is time to end this thread.......