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NEWS: Freshmen receive bids to Panhellenic sororities
Submitted by Allison Malone on 01-14-07, 11:27 pm | Updated on 01-14-07, 11:31 pm | More from this Writer
Retention rate lower than in years past
Vanderbilt's 10 Panhellenic sororities offered invitations to 434 women Sunday at the annual Bid Day event in the Student Recreation Center.
Five members of each sorority waited patiently in the recreation center for their new members to rip open their bid envelopes and run to meet them.
Although more women registered for sorority recruitment this year than last year, the percentage of women actually placed in a sorority decreased to 85 percent of the 508 participants.
According to Director of Greek Life Kristin Torrey, of the 74 women who did not join a sorority, 50 withdrew from the process and the rest were not placed in one of the houses they indicated they would be willing to join.
If a potential new member ranks every house she attends on preference night, she is guaranteed a bid, Torrey said.
"The main reason potential new members were not placed on Bid Day is those women did not maximize at preference round," she said.
Quota, which Torrey said is "the number used to provide parity in the Greek community," was set at 44 women per sorority this year. Eight of the ten houses met quota and received 44 or more new members.
While 82 percent of women were placed in their first-preference sorority, not everyone was initially pleased with Bid Day's outcome.
Greek Ambassador Ashley Getz said she explained the realities of Bid Day to her group of potential new members and told them "it is understandable to be upset."
"For the most part recruitment was positive, but it's an overwhelming process so there is bound to be some shock," Getz said.
Panhellenic Greek Ambassador Coordinator Ashley Wood said that Greek Ambassadors are "not only beneficial but necessary" for the recruitment process.
"Recruitment can be stressful, and it's nice to have someone who has not only been through the process but understands it to guide them," she said.
"They made sure everything ran smoothly, girls were accounted for and the recruitment process ended on good note."
After the women received their bids, they boarded buses that took them to their sorority's Bid Day venue to meet the rest of their new sisters.
"We are going to San Antonio Taco Company downtown and having a fiesta," said junior Elizabeth Marshall, a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. "Then we'll go back to the house for pictures and Bid Day presents,"
Dana Kitzes, new member coordinator for Kappa Delta, planned the activities for her sorority.
"We're going roller skating and arcade gaming," Kitzes said. "It's so great to see all the girls so excited to be KD."
Freshman Jane Slatton, a new member of Chi Omega, said she was excited for the day's activities as she walked to the bus with her pledge class.
"I had no idea I would react as crazy as I did, and I haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face all day," Slatton said.
According to Suzi Bryce, president of the Panhellenic Council, many other women had the same reaction as Slatton.
"There were so many women who were just thrilled, and the Greek community is excited to have so many new members," she said.
Liz Warner, vice president of recruitment for Panhellenic, made sure every detail of recruitment went smoothly throughout the entire semester, especially during the past week.
"It's a long week with great rewards at the end for all involved," Warner said.
Vandy Bid Day!!!
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