[SIGMA_INSIDER]

I just saw the first episode (West Coast). Very good, just like I hoped.

A few possible questions answered:

How does the quarter system work?

fall quarter = 10 weeks and finals, from September to winter break (fall rush)
winter quarter = 10 weeks and finals, from Jan to Spring Break in late March
spring quarter = 10 weeks and finals, April to June (Spring Rush [Sigma's taped rush quarter])

How did those girls get picked to be in the pledge house?

Well from what I understand, all of the girls weren't exactly jumping to be taped 24/7 and share a bathroom with 5 other girls. Also, no music or TV allowed because of the recording. Sounds more like a fish bowl in a rubber room to me. In addition, all of the girls had a place to stay for the quarter. Coincidentally, the few girls in question were the first to agree to stay in the pledge house. They could only get 5 girls to do it at first. Jessica agreed after the first move-in and she became the 6th member of the "MTV pledge house".

Why didn't they lay down the rules before the girls moved in?

The pledge house was not a typical feature of their sorority, nor had it ever been an occurence to vote on denying someone a bid. It was MTV's addition and the girls layed down the law, I believe, only a few days after they moved in.

• I think Sigma had every right to be suspicious and tentative to let the girls bid. The antics only get worse from here, trust me on that. Sigma faced quite a conundrum. Let in everyone to not be exclusive and save the pledging process to weed out any ringers; or say no to a few and most-likely have a better representation of their values to millions of viewers, but while crossing the line and being exclusive.
• Don't knock Pauli, she's a good girl. She came off kinda negative, but that was mostly MTV spin, except for the "f@#$ them" comment. None of her good, funny side was shown, which, like the Simpsons character would say, "makes my feet sad"
• I really liked Mara, the sister, not the pledge. Watch out for some good speeches from her in upcoming episodes.