chi o

As a recent PNM, I can tell you that ChiO wasn't highly desired (at least with all the PNMs I was exposed to). During rush, we all loved KD and DG, because they put on a great rush and were so friendly to all PNMs. I didn't get a bid to either, but I did love them. The next group in terms of desirability was DDD, KKG and Phi Mu. I was fortunate to get a bid from one of these groups.

So if you are looking at it from a PNM's desirability, ChiO isn't in the top 5. I'm sure legacies and some MS girls want them, but that is a small number overall.

I agree with @Recent PNM. Chi-O wasn't really high on anyone's list in my group either. KD was the first and DDD was second, although some were indifferent to DDD. DG was definitely high on the list. Kappa not so much. Phi Mu, Pi Phi and AOPi were thought of as good back up choices. Some were unsure about Alpha Phi but would take it and some were happy with Alpha Phi. Don't know if Theta and ADPi were on anyone's wish list but I think the ones who ended up there are happy.

And no one is allowed to argue with a Mom from Jackson!

Yes Chi-O Mom I know how it works. This was just my observation from my group and friends. I am sure there were plenty who loved Chi-O and they are happy. Chi-O Moms must be terrified their sorority is slipping in the tiers.

Yes I realize we didn't have to rank in order until after pref. In my rush group, Top 3 were KD, DG and DDD. ChiO wasn't really mentioned.

So they lost a few Jackson girls? They really need to start concentrating on those better quality non-legacy girls. Trying to hold on to the top spot by holding on to Ole Miss legacies is not going to work anymore. That is what is killing Chi-O already. It's also hurting DDD. KD has try to be a little more open to a more geographical diverse group and DG is reaping the benefit of getting the better resumed, but less connected girls. The lower tiers are also getting the better resumed OOS girls. Chi-O recruitment chairs need to break away from the Mommies and start working recruitment with college level sorority recruitment in mind.

if chi o loses big jackson legacies, people criticize them for losing their key girls to other chapters. If they get the jackson legacies, people criticize them for being too insular. If they take the legacies to ensure continued financial support from alums, they get criticized for not picking their own PNMs. If they go against the alums and pick OOS/non legacy girls, they risk losing the money and again, getting criticism for not taking their typical jackson girls. Chi O can't win either way because they never established balance in their PCs, so they can either go through an uncomfortable growing period and take their not-so-typical girls (OOS, etc) or just stay insular.

They can't continue as they have been or they are going to die a natural death. If they are only hanging on to the legacies for the money they have already lost the meaning of sisterhood. I can appreciate any sorority giving every legacy fair and reasonable consideration during recruitment, they should do that, however Chi-O has passed on some amazingly resumed recruits solely for the sake of a less amazing, less resumed Ole Miss legacy. Somehow they expect to continue recruiting in this manner and maintain their top tier status. Chi-O is not the only sorority seeing a shift because of this method of recruiting, DDD is not too far behind in recruiting the less resumed legacies over better resumed recruits. Ultimately the sororities will have to decide how they want to continue and adjust to the consequences/advantages of whatever direction they decide to go in.

Every sorority lost girls they really wanted - no need to single Chi-O out. There's just not enough spaces and so many girls going through recruitment to get everyone you want. I don't even know how in the all the excitement of bid day you were able to focus so much attention on Chi-O recruitment chairs, I was actually busy focusing on our new girls, but I then I was looking for every and all opportunities to bash another sorority.

Looks like the Alums will just have to move into the Sorority House and take over completely - no need to be behind the scenes.

You’re right I guess, that’s just not a smart way to recruit girls. I know of two huge Ole Miss Chi O legacies that chose other houses because they could tell Chi O’s actives assumed that they would pledge and didn’t feel valued at all. If they are just going to stick to the girls they knew they wanted before rush during rush week, then they’re going to have to do a better job recruiting them. Everyone loses legacies during rush, but other houses have other great girls that want them too that are not legacies. Rush at Ole Miss is getting harder and ALL sororities are stepping up their game, coming up with new and different strategies. Chi O is going to have to tell their alumni to step off a tad, and that rush is not how it was in the 80s, or they will drop fast.