The Shorthorn - Bid day brings over sixty new recruits to Greek Life

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Bid day brings over sixty new recruits to Greek Life

Written by Joan Khalaf, The Shorthorn senior staff

Monday, 01 February 2010 08:02 PM

Undeclared freshmen Alaina Cardwell and Biology freshman Robin Berkner along with the other new sorority members take group photos in front of the sorority house. (The Shorthorn: Will LaVoncher)

Alaina Cardwell said she couldn’t hear herself speak Saturday.

The undeclared freshman’s new Alpha Chi Omega sorority sisters chanted, screamed and jumped at the bottom of the center bridge waiting for Cardwell to join them.

High-pitched yells echoed off the walls as a sea of students in red waved signs cheering on new members. When it was her turn, Cardwell ran toward her future.

She’s been waiting several months for this day.

Cardwell was one of 68 students to declare which Panhellenic Council sorority they were pledging Saturday at Bid Day.

Potential sorority members went to Preference Night on Friday and filled out a form with up to two sororities they would accept bids from. Sororities then give bids, or invitations to join a Greek organization, the next morning.

The girls of Alpha Chi Omega celebrate with the new members during the sororities� Bid Day on Saturday. Although the weather was grim, the girls remained enteric throughout the day. (The Shorthorn: Will LaVoncher)

The day allows new members to announce to the Greek community who they want to be a part of, said Julie Murphy, Greek Life and University Events assistant director.

“It’s a ceremonial event for the current members,” she said.

Cardwell said she was relieved to be able to declare herself a sorority member.

“I’ve heard about Bid Day, but there’s nothing compared to seeing it,” Cardwell said. “It’s just so overwhelming. I don’t even know what I’m feeling at this moment.”

Undeclared freshman Jeff Hazelrigs said he came to support Cardwell, his friend.

“I came out to support her on her Bid Day and hopefully she’ll do the same for me,” Hazelrigs said.

After officially pledging, Cardwell and others who joined the sorority rode in the back of a truck to the sorority house on Greek Row where new members received flowers and gifts.

From there, new members receive a big sister, or a mentor throughout their pledging semester.

For the next eight weeks, new members will spend time getting to know the organization better, said Alpha Chi Omega co-recruitment adviser Kara Shuror.

“I think people find something they didn’t even know they were looking for,” she said.

The Alpha Chi Omega girls celebrate their new sisterhood with one and other in front of their sorority house on Saturday afternoon. (The Shorthorn: Will LaVoncher)

Cardwell never imagined that she would be joining a sorority. She said after moving around for most of her life because of her father’s jobs, she wanted friends that could be there for a long time.

“I only kept one or two best friends my whole life,” she said. “I know that in joining a sorority, I can keep these friends no matter where I go.”

Cardwell is a Coordinated Admission Program student, or a student that spends their first year at UTA in hopes to transfer to UT-Austin. However, she decided to stay at UTA because of the people she’s met.

“I’d rather be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond,” she said. “I don’t need UT or football to make me happy.”

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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 February 2010 03:43 PM )

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