Formal Recruitment... for Fraternities?

[ASTalumna06]

An article from Phired Up indicates that many fraternities are asking, "How would formal recruitment work for us?"

http://blog.phiredup.com/how-do-we-d...c-recruitment/

Many IFC fraternity communities we’re talking to are expressing a desire to shift their recruitment process to a more structured (or “formal”) system (think short, early in the term, IFC run, Panhellenic-style, structured process with multiple “rounds” and an official “bid day.”) While there are certainly many communities that already have a structure like this, the vast majority are doing an informal, unstructured, loosey-goosey, minimal rules style recruitment right now, and are curious about becoming more “formal.”

I'd urge everyone to read the article in full before responding (as they're not suggesting the fraternities mirror the sorority system). What do you think?

[clemsongirl]

The previous institution I worked at did aspects of this-the formalized Bid Day, signing up potential members through a tracking software-and I thought it benefitted the community and the office of Greek Life. It was very helpful to "follow" the PNMs and see what events they went to, what bids they were offered, and whether/where they accepted. That helped us evaluate the relative recruiting health of our community and intervene sooner for chapters that had struggled.

It was difficult convincing the chapters and IFC exec that the registration process was worth it, so it was a struggle to get PNMs information in the system. The social media process was also patchy and I think more consistency would have helped get the fraternity message out.

[DGTess]

Two things really struck me about the article.

First, IFC to "have influence over" potential members. It was mentioned several times, as was "register". Neither of those concepts fit my personal ideal of how to ensure you have solid friendships or brotherhoods.

Second, there was no mention of grades.

[Xidelt]

I just keep having this image in my head of all the fraternity PNMs running to their new brothers, jumping and squealing, on bid day.

[GoldBows]

One of the reasons the fraternities at my school refuse to form an IFC is out of fear that they'd have to do formal recruitment, despite everyone telling them they wouldn't have to do that.

[PKT4LIFE]

Originally Posted by Xidelt

I just keep having this image in my head of all the fraternity PNMs running to their new brothers, jumping and squealing, on bid day.

They do at Longwood, here's a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uJv4FYGgEc

[33girl]

The words “brand” and “leads” (as opposed to “brotherhood “ and”people”) appeared in that article an ickle bickle too much for my taste. They have all the rest of their lives to drown in corporatespeak, let’s not rush it.

It would be nice if rushees could meet men from all the fraternities, but I realize at schools like Penn State and Indiana, that would be virtually impossible.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

The words “brand” and “leads” (as opposed to “brotherhood “ and”people”) appeared in that article an ickle bickle too much for my taste. They have all the rest of their lives to drown in corporatespeak, let’s not rush it.

It would be nice if rushees could meet men from all the fraternities, but I realize at schools like Penn State and Indiana, that would be virtually impossible.

Giggling at ickle bickle

Sorry, carry on...

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by PKT4LIFE

They do at Longwood, here's a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uJv4FYGgEc

this is awesome

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by Xidelt

I just keep having this image in my head of all the fraternity PNMs running to their new brothers, jumping and squealing, on bid day.

Originally Posted by PKT4LIFE

They do at Longwood, here's a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uJv4FYGgEc

Several campuses do the same as Longwood. I've always liked the tradition at Grand Valley State. The guys say their names and then announce the chapter their accepting a bid for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnCz5Loe3xA

Skip to 1:51 to hear the last couple of guys say the chapter.

I've always been in favor for a "semi-structured" recruitment for IFC. I believe that the University of Arkansas, Ole Miss, and LSU run their recruitments this way.

Here's an old thread from an IFC LSU rush.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=55521

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by PKT4LIFE

They do at Longwood, here's a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uJv4FYGgEc

That's even more humiliating than a "squeal day run." At least the girls aren't having to run all alone, one at a time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IguPtqjAuvo

[PhilTau]

Having this type of public pronouncement likely -

1) increases retention (it seemed we always had at least one guy drop immediately after accepting a bid). It would be harder to drop after this.

2) has a leveling effect among the different (and obviously varying) fraternities. They all are doing sort of the same thing their own way.

3) publicly states who went where.

[PKT4LIFE]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

That's even more humiliating than a "squeal day run." At least the girls aren't having to run all alone, one at a time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IguPtqjAuvo

Not true at Pittsburg State University. Each PMN is introduced and then her bid match is announced. No group running.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm5tdt6kyP8

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by PKT4LIFE

Not true at Pittsburg State University. Each PMN is introduced and then her bid match is announced. No group running.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm5tdt6kyP8

For at least two recent years Elmhurst College also did the individual new member announcing (my sister's best friend is an alumnae to one of Elmhurst's chapters).