Indiana University 2014 Recruitment

[BlueCarnation]

I'm sorry for the young women at IU--or anywhere--who didn't get bids into a sorority. Sorority membership has made me a better person and has introduced me to some of my best friends. I am still active as an alumna.

That said, some of the posts in this thread makes me cringe. Sure, we may not like how things are done at IU or some other school--I personally can't imagine a pledge class of 100 girls--but who am I to say that something MUST change? You know what? Sorority membership is, and always has been, exclusive. Isn't that part of the reason why people want to be in them? Each sorority was founded on a particular premise: mine was initially a professional music society. By the mere practice of "membership selection," a sorority is exclusive.

Why should we force any chapter to take girls it doesn't want? What if your group was told "well, you have to take 20 extra girls because the girls who didn't get bids are sad so we need to make them happy." I don't think you'd be too happy about it.

You know what? Life stinks sometimes. If you go to IU and you want to join a sorority, you know you might now get a bid. If not getting a bid is going to ruin your college experience, then that is not AXO or ZTA's or Panhellenic's fault.

Big companies only have a certain amount of spots for jobs. Should we force them to hire more people than they have work for?

Again, I'm sorry that a large number of girls didn't get bids. Hopefully they will find other ways to get involved or will strongly consider joining the new Delta Phi Epsilon chapter. But for any of us who are not a part of the current system to say that it needs to be changed is insulting to the current members and their organizations. We would not appreciate outside involvement in our organizations, so why do we feel we have the right to get involved in theirs?

[silver_blue]

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

I'm sorry for the young women at IU--or anywhere--who didn't get bids into a sorority. Sorority membership has made me a better person and has introduced me to some of my best friends. I am still active as an alumna.

That said, some of the posts in this thread makes me cringe. Sure, we may not like how things are done at IU or some other school--I personally can't imagine a pledge class of 100 girls--but who am I to say that something MUST change? You know what? Sorority membership is, and always has been, exclusive. Isn't that part of the reason why people want to be in them? Each sorority was founded on a particular premise: mine was initially a professional music society. By the mere practice of "membership selection," a sorority is exclusive.

Why should we force any chapter to take girls it doesn't want? What if your group was told "well, you have to take 20 extra girls because the girls who didn't get bids are sad so we need to make them happy." I don't think you'd be too happy about it.

You know what? Life stinks sometimes. If you go to IU and you want to join a sorority, you know you might now get a bid. If not getting a bid is going to ruin your college experience, then that is not AXO or ZTA's or Panhellenic's fault.

Big companies only have a certain amount of spots for jobs. Should we force them to hire more people than they have work for?

Again, I'm sorry that a large number of girls didn't get bids. Hopefully they will find other ways to get involved or will strongly consider joining the new Delta Phi Epsilon chapter. But for any of us who are not a part of the current system to say that it needs to be changed is insulting to the current members and their organizations. We would not appreciate outside involvement in our organizations, so why do we feel we have the right to get involved in theirs?

Sorry, but no. I know how their system works as I went through recruitment there before transferring. It is absolutely Panhellenic's fault. They are so attached to their antiquated bed rush system that it leave FORTY PERCENT of women who want to be in a sorority without bids. I'm guessing you didn't go to IU and know nothing about how it works there.

These groups wouldn't be taking 20 girls "they don't want." It's not like they'll have full pledge classes and then just take 20 random girls that didn't end up somewhere. They'll just invite more girls to pref and take a larger pledge class out of women they obviously liked enough to invite to pref.

Is this so hard to understand? It shouldn't be. It's how EVERY OTHER SCHOOL conducts recruitment.

[BlueCarnation]

Originally Posted by silver_blue

Sorry, but no. I know how their system works as I went through recruitment there before transferring. It is absolutely Panhellenic's fault. They are so attached to their antiquated bed rush system that it leave FORTY PERCENT of women who want to be in a sorority without bids. I'm guessing you didn't go to IU and know nothing about how it works there.

These groups wouldn't be taking 20 girls "they don't want." It's not like they'll have full pledge classes and then just take 20 random girls that didn't end up somewhere. They'll just invite more girls to pref and take a larger pledge class out of women they obviously liked enough to invite to pref.

Is this so hard to understand? It shouldn't be. It's how EVERY OTHER SCHOOL conducts recruitment.

If joining a sorority is your main reason for going to college, then go to one of those OTHER SCHOOLS. I have plenty of friends from IU who were in sororities. I know how it works.

[silver_blue]

Originally Posted by ZTAIUalum

I am sorry, but Silver Blue...you had a BAD experience, it is QUITE obvious. But you transferred, you need to let it go. Every system is competitive...I have friends who rushed at Bama, Purdue etc, and they are all tough and leave MANY with no fate. It needs to be improved no doubt, but to say that without Greek you are nothing is so untrue. I had so many friends who went to all our parties, and are living great lives, happy with families, successful careers etc, who weren't Greek. I get you had a bad time, but to say don't go to IU if you want Greek?? That is just a bad idea.

Unfortunately, this is life, this is the world. You win some you lose some. You get a great job, you lose a job, you get a promotion, you get overlooked. This is all life. LET IT GO...you obviously transferred for a reason, Greek cannot be the only reason. I am so sorry for those that didn't get in who wanted to, I was on pins and needles for friends going through this year.

I wonder, did you accept all your bids?? What house did you get into eventually at this "transfer" school.

Many girls are great girls, in a sorority or not, my best friend didn't get in her freshman year. So you know what I did...I invited her to everything! She knew everyone and got in sophomore year. Today she is still like a sister to me...

But the way you talk you have unresolved issues that are not going to be resolved by you taking it out on this thread!

And you had a charmed experience and therefore cannot understand what it's like to be in my shoes. It should be obvious based on my username that I am a Pi Beta Phi, but I'm not sure how that matters to the topics discussed on this thread.

I would absolutely say don't go to IU if you want to go greek. Bully for you that you had a successful recruitment and ended up in a highly sought after house. But how sad for you that you lack the empathy and reading comprehension to grasp that IU's recruitment is UNIQUE. I'm sure your friends at Bama and Purdue did have competitive recruitments, nobody disputes that. Do you even understand that IU's bed quota system is NOT the norm? Can you explain how traditional quota works? I can, I served as Vice President of Recruitment.

How nice that you were able to get ONE girl in that you knew as a sophomore. At any other school, a girl who gets into a chapter as a sophomore at IU would have gotten into one as a freshmen at any other school.

I have "unresolved issues" because it breaks my heart to see this happen to PNMs year after year after year, because I was once in their shoes. YOU have no idea what it's like to be on the losing end of IU hunger games recruitment.

Sit in your ivory IU sorority tower all you want and claim it's just as competitive at other schools, but while you're up there you might want to take a look at placement statistics at every other school.

It's cute that you tell people "win some lose some" and to "let it go" while you get to prance around in your letters at IU. Again, empathy. You don't know me, but I LOVED IU, but I couldn't stay at a school that had dealt me nothing but heartbreak. Every girl I knew as a freshmen joined a sorority and being in other clubs and groups couldn't replace that.

[WhiteRose1912]

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

Why should we force any chapter to take girls it doesn't want? What if your group was told "well, you have to take 20 extra girls because the girls who didn't get bids are sad so we need to make them happy." I don't think you'd be too happy about it.

They're cutting girls they invited to pref. They DO want these girls, they just don't want to lose the reputation of exclusivity. It's not a Tufts situation.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by WhiteRose1912

They're cutting girls they invited to pref. They DO want these girls, they just don't want to lose the reputation of exclusivity.

This is what it boils down to for me.

No chapter should be required to take girls they don't want. I don't think anyone here is advocating that.

But it is flat out wrong and rude to allow women to complete the entire process and even have a FULL schedule for pref and end up with NOTHING. It's WRONG. It's rude. It's completely contrary to the most basic of human kindness such as the Golden Rule which I'm sure is stated in some form or another in the values we all espouse to hold.

If chapters don't want those women, then drop them beforehand. I have no problem with that. If a woman is released completely before preference, it is sad and unfortunate, but it is part of the selection process. But there is NO WAY women should play by the rules and do everything asked of them and then get nothing after attending pref and listing all the groups on their cards.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I think you're on point that SOME girls wouldn't be interested because of the loss of the extreme level of exclusivity the system now holds. But based on the success of Greek systems around the country of all different sizes and stripes, it would still be wildly successful in anyone's estimation. Would it leave out the huge byotch who is only in it because it proves she's better than everyone else? Maybe. Loss to anyone? Absolutely not. Instead of 1600 girls rushing, maybe 1575 would. Let's even say 1500 would. But then what about the girls who won't rush now because this system is lunacy? Then we go right back to 1600 and my guess is it would jump to 1700.

And it might jump even higher if girls knew they didn't HAVE to live in the house. Not everyone wants to have 40+ roommates.

[AZTheta]

Lalucas, your questions are delving into membership selection territory which we do not discuss. Please scan this thread for the posts that speak to the chapters' right to select their members.

Truthfully, I believe that these PNMs do know what the selection process is like; they have been on campus for the Fall semester and they have discussed it and heard it talked about. They may choose not to accept the reality, or choose to believe that they will be the one(s) chosen. Because there are PNMs who are selected.

I am not endorsing anything, I am simply expressing my opinions - stressing that membership selection is private to each chapter.

ETA: please consider carefully what you write about any chapter. We are Panhellenic here on GC.

[DubaiSis]

I think you're on point that SOME girls wouldn't be interested because of the loss of the extreme level of exclusivity the system now holds. But based on the success of Greek systems around the country of all different sizes and stripes, it would still be wildly successful in anyone's estimation. Would it leave out the huge byotch who is only in it because it proves she's better than everyone else? Maybe. Loss to anyone? Absolutely not. Instead of 1600 girls rushing, maybe 1575 would. Let's even say 1500 would. But then what about the girls who won't rush now because this system is lunacy? Then we go right back to 1600 and my guess is it would jump to 1700.

While we can only speculate what would happen in real life if IU got its act together, I think its demise might be overstated. (not by you, 33girl. I know you're not saying a change in rules would destroy their currently fabulous system.)

[shadokat]

Let's just all admit one thing. The most important reason everyone is going to or has gone to college was to get an education. If IU offers an amazing education at a great rate for in-state students, be thankful for THAT! If sorority membership defines where you want to go to college, and not the education that you're receiving, or even what you can afford to spend, then you need to seriously re-evaluate some things.

Yes, Delta Phi Epsilon is colonizing right now. I hope that women who go through this process really want to be a part of a new sorority experience, and are not going through because it's a fall back for the disappointment of not getting a bid during recruitment. Remember that sorority letters aren't just a status symbol, but values and traditions that help us define the way we want to live life. If you are interested in Delta Phi Epsilon, see their facebook page for the entire schedule.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by shadokat

Let's just all admit one thing. The most important reason everyone is going to or has gone to college was to get an education. If IU offers an amazing education at a great rate for in-state students, be thankful for THAT! If sorority membership defines where you want to go to college, and not the education that you're receiving, or even what you can afford to spend, then you need to seriously re-evaluate some things.

Yes and no. Education is about more than just the classes. Frankly, I learned more about being a well-rounded person in my sorority and other activities than I did in the classroom. My degree was a way to be qualified for what I wanted to do. But what made me a better person and a better professional was what I learned outside of the classroom.

I didn't have being in a sorority on my radar when I went to college, but I can see for many people why it would weigh heavily into the equation.

Desire for a family away from home.
Desire for a home away from home.
To continue a family tradition of being Greek.
Because friends are Greek.
Looking for sisters that you don't have naturally.

I can see why some women would factor this in heavily to their decision and I don't think it it wrong. College is about way more than just classes and getting a degree. The people best prepared for life after college IMHO are those who benefit from all aspects of college and not just focus on the degree.

[TennisMom]

I would like to publicly thank silver_blue for her posts on this topic. She has walked in the shoes of my daughter (an IU sophomore twice disappointed) and can also speak to a much more positive recruitment experience. I do not read her posts as "not being able to let go" but rather as someone who would like to spare others unnecessary hurt and disappointment. And, ZTAIUalum, I believe it was your post which started the personal attack.

One final note, there are many, many sorority sisters and hurting moms on this forum who have helped me to process through the sadness and disappointment I feel for my daughter by recognizing the flaws in the IU recruitment process. Thank you!!!

[als463]

Originally Posted by TennisMom

I would like to publicly thank silver_blue for her posts on this topic. She has walked in the shoes of my daughter (an IU sophomore twice disappointed) and can also speak to a much more positive recruitment experience. I do not read her posts as "not being able to let go" but rather as someone who would like to spare others unnecessary hurt and disappointment. And, ZTAIUalum, I believe it was your post which started the personal attack.

One final note, there are many, many sorority sisters and hurting moms on this forum who have helped me to process through the sadness and disappointment I feel for my daughter by recognizing the flaws in the IU recruitment process. Thank you!!!

I agree with ZTAIUalum and no, it was not her post that started the personal attacks. It was the mother of someone coming on here and claiming that every single girl in an IU sorority must be rich, beautiful, and have ice-water running through her veins (looking to hurt PNMs and not living by her creed) that started the personal attacks. The IU system is not the best. I agree with you and the other moms on here. I say this as someone who, like TrideltaSallie, feels like her sorority membership has enhanced her life to a degree that simply getting an education never could but, really? Are we really going to bash the ladies who got bids or handed out bids because someone was upset. I am all for Greek life but, if a person came to my office wanting a job and I saw she was Greek at random-bumblescum-U and I saw she transferred from IU, even if IU had the same program (because, I would ask why she transferred), I wouldn't hire her. At the end of the day, the name on my degree is what has helped open doors---though I am a proud member of my sorority. So, please just STOP!

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by als463

I am all for Greek life but, if a person came to my office wanting a job and I saw she was Greek at random-bumblescum-U and I saw she transferred from IU, even if IU had the same program (because, I would ask why she transferred), I wouldn't hire her. At the end of the day, the name on my degree is what has helped open doors---though I am a proud member of my sorority. So, please just STOP!

Maybe I'm misinterpreting what you're trying to say here, and I don't want to derail this thread, but why would you not hire someone because they transferred from IU?

[AOIILisa]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Maybe I'm misinterpreting what you're trying to say here, and I don't want to derail this thread, but why would you not hire someone because they transferred from IU?

I kind of wondered how you would see that on a resume - mine just lists my degrees, schools, and years. I don't think I'd put a transfer on a resume, the final result is where your degree was earned.

I never had my sorority on my resume either - I didn't want people to have any preconcieved notions or stereotypes in their heads before I got a chance to meet them. Maybe others are different, though.

ETA - I can see why you may want to put that on - if you were president of your sorority or something like that. I had other work experience related to my major that I used instead.