Going Greek
Fraternities, sororities bust Bid Day myths and welcome new pledge classes

By Alison Toohey

With Bid Day approaching, dinner tables at Daly’s are not only covered by the usual large red trays, French fries and grilled cheese dishes, but also an endless number of brightly colored flyers compelling students to “Go-Greek.”

These warm invitations, which welcome “all independent men and women” to take part in various events around campus such as barbecues, mocktail parties and poker tournaments are now in abundance. This is the period when fraternities and sororities recruit members who are interested in Greek life.

During this period, known as rush, each prospective member gets to know the members of the house, while also surveying the feel of Greek life and determining which specific organization is the right one.

“We encourage all non-Greek students to check out all of the organizations and get to know as many members as possible,” said Ada Badgley, director of Greek Life.

During these few weeks, prospective members are not the only ones trying to make a good impression on their potential sisters or brothers. There is also pressure on the Greek organizations, who hope to make an impression that prospective members will remember when deciding which house to choose.

“We encourage the Greek students to be active in their recruitment — to go out and seek people who are going to be positive and productive members,” said Badgley.

From an outsider’s point of view, it may seem like a game of “who can impress who more” — but according to Badgley, that is far from the truth. Emotions run high, and it is easy to see that the stress of the ordeal is overwhelming. But at the end of these four stressful weeks, prospective members may receive bids, which according to Badgley is essentially a coveted invitation requesting a student to be a part of a fraternity or sorority. This begins the immensely celebrated Bid Day.

Bid Day takes place tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 7. This is a highly anticipated day in Greek life. It is not only the last day to receive a bid from a fraternity or sorority, but it is also the day on which those who receive a bid must choose whether they will accept. Some may receive a bid from more than one house. In that case, potential new members must choose which house they will accept a bid to — another arduous decision. Then, there are private ceremonies at each house, which are held on Bid Day. The heart of these celebrations is to welcome each organization’s newest members and friends.

To some, Bid Day may be viewed as just “another excuse to party.” However, in the eyes of the Greeks, this is a flawed description of their well-valued event.
Stephanie Leach, a sophomore in Zeta Tau Alpha, takes pride in Bid Day ceremonies as many Greeks do.

“We actually look at it as a celebration — it’s a Greek Holiday on campus, and we treat it as such,” said Leach. “It really is like a big birthday celebration for the new pledge class.”
Leach looks back on her rush experience as an extremely memorable day in her college career and more specifically “the best day of [my] life,” according to Leach.

“It’s like I made 60 new friends in a single day. Everyone is so welcoming to the new girls and eager to get to know them right away,” recalled Leach. “I felt like I was part of a selective group and was proud to call these relationships my own.”

So this Saturday, when members of Rider’s Greek community gather outside the balcony of the BLC commemorating Bid Day, know that it is not just another “Greek party night,” but instead a celebration of the newest component of an ever-growing Greek family.