Moms & Recruitment

[UGAalum94]

Let's clarify that we mean for bid day, right?

And let's also clarify that even in the SEC, it's pretty recent, isn't it. Wasn't it only moms who were members of the chapter who might have attended bid day before the millennials got to college?

Has this really happened anyplace historically other than Auburn and Alabama?

ETA: I think the advice to check with the greek life office is perfect.

[carnation]

There weren't moms at Arkansas, Auburn, or Mississippi State during rush or Bid Day that I remember back in the day. Not sure when Bid Day became a family event there.

One of my daughters went Greek at Jacksonville State and their Bid Day was a family event (for those of you who remember the Baby Berry Rush); I went with Ballerina.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by carnation

There weren't moms at Arkansas, Auburn, or Mississippi State during rush or Bid Day that I remember back in the day. Not sure when Bid Day became a family event there.

One of my daughters went Greek at Jacksonville State and their Bid Day was a family event (for those of you who remember the Baby Berry Rush); I went with Ballerina.

I don't think it's a big parent event at UGA, even now.

I think this is may be a generational change even within the SEC. That probably underscores the point that parents should call Greek Life before they show up on bid day.

I don't like the helicopteriness of parents feeling like they have to be there for recruitment itself, but some aspects of family bid day seem pretty cute.

[dgdramadawg]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I don't think it's a big parent event at UGA, even now.

When I was a student at UGA, mothers didn't attend bid day events unless they were members of the same sorority as their daughters. It was more common for parents to send gifts to the house or their daughter's dorm. Then again, I rushed a whole decade ago... you never know if things have changed.

I echo the advice to contact the Greek Life Office if you are not sure whether to be there.

[ggforever]

At Ole Miss it is a family affair. I had not planned on attending as I thought it would "cramp her style". However, after a week at school DD called and asked for me to be there. I was totally shocked at the dads, grandparents and siblings waiting at the house as well as the moms. I was trying to imagine me explaining to my husbands and sons why they should miss Sunday football for Bid Day. Heck, I was not even sure what house she was in and would never have presumed to go to her 1st choice and wait without knowing, but somehow all these parents were aware ahead of time.

Anyhow, I would be there if your daughter asks. It is probably because she has heard that so many others will have family there. BTW, no one stuck around for long, just the picture taking, the initial welcome and a parent meeting where they welcomed us and explained how the meal plan worked, etc, but the girls were definitely off doing their own thing and parents were not included.

[gee_ess]

There are definitely moms,etc at Arkansas for Bid Day.

The PNMs are taken to the Greek Theater in their gamma chi groups. The moms,sisters,fathers, friends, etc are all waiting in the Greek Theater. PNMs are taken to the middle and then there is a countdown when they are allowed to open their bid cards and join their respective houses who are waiting in the stands.

Also do not show up empty handed. The Greek stuff sold that weekend would blow your mind. Even if you can't be there (and let's face it, not all moms can be) Get in touch with one of the stores selling Greek stuff and send her something. You can call that day or later in the day once you have heard where she pledged and they will get it to her.

[BraveMaroon]

My experience at UGA in the 1990s is that if your Mom was an XYZ, and you pledged XYZ, she would certainly be there for your initiation, and if she lived nearby, maybe she'd be there for pledging.

Our experience was that Mom and Dad would come for the next home football game, or even Homecoming, and we'd encourage our pledges (because that's what we called them in the dark ages) to have them come check out the house, meet the sisters and make sure their baby hadn't sold her soul to the devil.

We had a nice parents weekend in the Spring, and we encouraged parents to send flowers to the house during Rush (which is what we called it). But bid day was for the pledges and the sisters, who all needed time to decompress.

[tootiepie2]

Parents also attend bid day at LSU. It seems to be about the same as most other SEC schools. I definetly didn't feel as if I was being a helicopter parent. It was just part of the tradition of LSU. As a matter of fact I barely saw my daughter. I visited with other parents, signed up the the mothers club, got info about fees. etc. In all I would recommend it.

[UGAalum94]

It's great that parents are included for bid day, but it's funny to me to use the word "tradition" for something that's less than one generation old at most SEC campuses. Something that's a Greek tradition at Alabama, for instance, could go back to the early 20th century for some NPC groups and pre-Civil War for some of the fraternities.

All that matters today, of course, for bid day is whether parents are invited this year, not how far it goes back.

[AUPi Phi]

I live in GA and know that at UGA the Moms do not go over for Bid Day, unless she is a legacy (maybe then but not always). I know several Moms who were bummed that they could not go over to watch their daughters get their bids! Auburn and Alabama encourage parents and siblings to come to bid day and they even have their first parent meeting at Bid Day and introduce the parents to the sorority! Usually they do have refreshments or lunch, depending on the time of day.
As for parents staying all week, I have never heard of that at Auburn unless they have daughters presently in the sorority and many Moms (of sisters) do go over and help out at rush, preparing meals/getting catered meals ready for the girls, helping decorate chapter rooms, and providing snacks and cool drinks from the kitchen between parties. The moms are NOT allowed in the parties at all or in selection sessions. I have lots of friends whose daughters have gone through rush at AU and never have any of them booked a hotel room to stay during rush. But they do go over for bid day, and most of the Dads do too!