Does this mean it's over?

[tomjennings]

I went to a rush event last week. I later sent the recruitment chair an email, which he didn't respond to, and then a text, which he did, and he said he'll contact me about the next rush event over the weekend. It is now Wednesday. Should I contact him again or just give up on fraternity life?

[IndianaSigKap]

Instead of giving up on Greek life, why not cast a wider net? Unless there is only one fraternity on your campus, you have other options. Are there no other fraternities in which you are interested?

[pshsx1]

Can't you just go look at a flyer on campus or check out the chapter's website or contact the office of Greek Life for recruitment information?

You don't get a Bid by going to one rush event.

[LaneSig]

I'm with IndianaSigKap, you may need to look at other fraternities on campus.

To me, this is the major difference between IFC rush and Panhellenic rush. With Panhellenic rush and the way pnms rank and the chapters invite, at least the pnms know that when they are not invited back to a group, they can concentrate on other groups (or should concentrate on other groups).

With most IFC rushes, the guys can keep going back to a group that may not be interested in bidding them. Yes, there are ways that the chapter can subtly let someone know "We aren't going to bid you"; but, an oblivious pnm doesn't pick up the signals and puts all his eggs in one basket and then ends up with no bids during rush.

This is why I prefer the semi-formal recruitment. Make the pnms go to all the houses and talk to the members for a couple of days. Then let the chapters extend invitations to guys they want to continue in the process. At least the pnms will know then which chapters they truly have a chance of getting a bid with. I believe some campuses like Arkansas, LSU, and Ole Miss do this. I'm sure there are others.

End of rant.

[Sciencewoman]

^^^ Washington and Lee does "formal" IFC recruitment. Based on informal recruitment events/getting to know fraternity members during the fall, guys are invited to 4 chapters at the beginning of recruitment week in January. The first two nights, they attend organized meal functions at 2 chapters each night. There are other events the next couple of nights. I'm not sure if there are any cuts along the way, but at the end of the week, guys receive bids and tear up the ones they're not accepting. Hence, fraternity bid day is called "Tear Night."

I think it helps take the guesswork out of the process, from the PNMs' stance. From the fraternity's side, there's a big disparity between the numbers of new members each group gets because the ball is really in the PNMs' court at the end of the week.

[LaneSig]

What if the Panhellenic and IFC recruitments switched places? A parody video by the Sigma Kappa chapter at the University of Florida (with help from Phi Delta Theta).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDWPsn3YusA

[princessamy]

^ I love that video! It's a classic in my book.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

I can't believe they missed out on the chance to show guys doing door chants, though.

[KillarneyRose]

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

Hence, fraternity bid day is called "Tear Night."

The first time I read your post, I missed the part about tearing up bids they don't want so I had this vision in my head of men with tears of joy (or tears of sorrow I guess) running down their cheeks as they open their bids and run to join their new brothers. It was quite touching, actually

[alum]

My son's school had formal fraternity recruitment a couple of weeks after Panhel recruitment. The guys visited all the houses on day 1, day 2 half the houses, and then on day 3, up to 2 houses. He said several of the fraternities hot-boxed (he didn't know the phrase but his description fits the definition) but he was flattered by that move instead of feeling pressured.

W&L has changed fraternity recruitment a bit. The boys used to be able to just pick up their invitations at the various houses who offered bids based on their interactions in the fall.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

What if the Panhellenic and IFC recruitments switched places? A parody video by the Sigma Kappa chapter at the University of Florida (with help from Phi Delta Theta).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDWPsn3YusA

This is hilarious

[IndianaSigKap]

Hilarious!

[AGDAlum]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

What if the Panhellenic and IFC recruitments switched places? A parody video by the Sigma Kappa chapter at the University of Florida (with help from Phi Delta Theta).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDWPsn3YusA

Love it!

[IUHoosiergirl88]

Be cool bro.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by KillarneyRose

The first time I read your post, I missed the part about tearing up bids they don't want so I had this vision in my head of men with tears of joy (or tears of sorrow I guess) running down their cheeks as they open their bids and run to join their new brothers. It was quite touching, actually

Yeah, I'm thinking that didn't happen.