|
There will be some changes to Bid Day this year. First, in years past Panhellenic would release the new members from the Stadium in alphabetic order by Chapter to go running to their new houses. This year they are supposed to be released in order of physical location on sorority row. The houses the furthest away will go first, then the next one, and so on up Magnolia Drive. Hopefully this will keep those who are still waiting for their girls out of the street and leave a path for the new members to run through.
Second, only immediate family members of the new members and actives will be allowed in the houses. All others are welcome to come hang out on the lawns and street, but cannot enter. There have been problems with boyfriends, just guy friends, fraternity guys, and other non-family members coming for a free meal. Too many of the girls were more interested in spending time with their boyfriends because they hadn't seen them in so long than with the new members.
There were problems with the guys getting to the front of the buffet line while the new members and families were still waiting. Plus, the sheer cost of food has become astronomical. According to my House Director we served well over 700 last year.
Last but by no means least, too many guys showed up intoxicated. Some even tried to sneak alcohol into the sorority houses. UA police will be patrolling to deal with this.
Bid Day is a celebration of the new members and everyone's focus should be on welcoming them to their new homes. While everyone loves the tradition of the festival-like atmosphere of Bama's Bid Day and nobody wants to take that away, it still needs to be controlled.
|