bid possibility

There is a separate upperclassmen quota for sororities. You will be judged in strength just against other upperclassmen. So long as your grades, involvement, and personality are up to scratch you won't be hindered simply because you aren't a freshmen. Hope this helps, good luck!

Actually - there are changes in upperclassmen quota this year. It is no longer a separate quota. All pnms will be recruited as a single group - fresh, soph, juniors - all in the same pool.

Interesting. Did not know that. I am assuming that Panhellenic saw no real advantage in continuing separate quotas.

The reason they gave for eliminating the upperclassman quota was to try and help all groups (especially the newer, smaller ones) achieve quota. I do not think this will work like they want it to.

I believe that while it COULD help smaller groups achieve quota (which could be momentary...as we all know that retention is the key issue), it will not help them in the longrun because to have a solid, stable chapter, you need an even, equal cross-section of all ages. And if a group is unable to successfully recruit a good number of freshmen, then they are left with lots of 2 & 3 year members...and very little chance of long-term leadership.

It is interesting that MSU is eliminating this quota for that reason (which is helping smaller groups), because, ironically, that is the exact reason most campuses give for instituting the upperclassman quota in the first place. Across the nation, campus leadership was finding that one of the reasons small, struggling chapters were continuing to struggle was that they were getting upperclassmen instead of freshmen...which resulted in little-to-no 4 year members, thus a lack of strong, continuous leadership. I hope I'm wrong...but I see this move by the school to ultimately be a bad one for upperclassmen and result in lower numbers of upperclassmen participating in formal recruitment and higher numbers of those who do participate dropping out before bid day.

BTDubs.... I believe the REAL reason for the change in quota is that some chapters really resented the ultimatum of either choosing to take lots of upperclassmen (that they would not have pledged as freshmen) or be labeled as "not making quota." So, I believe some of these larger groups (1 in particular) pitched a fit about the upperclassman quota and found a way to try to sell Greek life on eliminating it. The reason they chose was 'helping the smaller groups make quota.'

Now, I don't know who's dumber... The chapter who came up with that lame reason and sold it to Greek Life, or the Greek Life personnel who believed it? Neither are very Panhelleniclly minded, if you want to know the truth. Anybody with a brain in their head could see that this is just a way for larger groups to avoid working with the system to pledge upperclassmen.

It's sad.

Woah, woah now...getting defensive? WHY? Ain't nobody got time for that.

This is accurate. Ask anyone in the Greek life office. Don't get all crazy. Simma down now. Let's just let this play out and we'll see how many upperclassmen each group takes. The numbers don't lie and that will tell the tale. Wait and see.

some sororities are small because they are newer, but maybe some of your attitudes play a big part in why you will remain small. Why not try promoting your group and making it better instead of trying to bring others down to your level.

The bashing is ridiculous. These posts are not even coming from these chapters - just a way to stir it up. "I know" is correct that it is a panhellenic vote. And upperclassmen are a great addition to chapters big and small - that is not even an issue. No chapter is even upset about this - just this forum trying to bash a little before recruitment.

"No chapter is even upset about this" ...oh really? You personally polled each one? Doubtful. Be careful with generalizations & ASSumptions.