[DrPhil]

Can an NPHCer chime in?

I think lyrelyre touched on what I was thinking when I read the OP--of course, I didn't know those details. Don't all or almost all of the national GLOs require recommendations or some version of it? Regardless of how much it is to read, we have to have a formal and documented part of the process that goes beyond our interactions with that person on campus.

I liken it to being a prospect for certain organizations outside of Greekdom and being on the job market. You can have an awesome interview process and have crappy credentials and references, and vice versa. It is up to the members to determine what is acceptable and unacceptable based on national guidelines and whatever (if any) leeway chapters are given.