Old East to Auction Off Its Bachelors

And whether the monument is idly standing by or visitors are snapping pictures of it, Glover raves about this view.

It's an Old East view.

Just a year ago, Glover or any female student could not enjoy this opportunity daily. Old East was an all-male residence hall for more than 200 years, until it and Old West were integrated last fall.

After a semester with the first flock of female students residing in the building, residents say there is a growing bond, no tension and a good atmosphere between the genders.

But come Saturday night, things might not be the same between people who occupy the historic hardwood -- two Old East residents are hoping the relationships between students of the residence hall will be enhanced.

Roommates Glover and Jennifer Han have a plan to bring fellow residents closer together and raise money for a charitable cause -- a date auction featuring "The Bachelors of Old East."

The auction, being held at 7 p.m. at The Artist's Escape, will enable gutsy women to bid on 25 men -- who Han dubbed "Old East and friends of Old East" -- for dinner dates to places including Michael Jordan's 23 and the Macaroni Grill.

Admission is $3, and the money will go to UNC's Dance Marathon.

One word explains how Han and Glover stumbled upon Old East and the date auction idea: luck.

And both Han and Glover admit it.

The two transfer students landed spots in a triple in Old East during their first semester at UNC in the fall.

"I had no idea what Old East was about," said Han, a psychology major from Richmond, Va.

Glover, who attended high school in Chapel Hill, knew what the deal was with Old East but never expected the Department of University Housing to assign her there when she transferred from UNC-Charlotte.

Glover and Han are living large. Three large windows. Lofted furniture. Hardwood floors. Good locale.

"We're so hype about our rooms," Glover said, looking over to Han. "Well, I'm so hype."

Han and Glover are a duo that feeds off one another's energy.

"Personally, I feel really privileged to live in Old East," Han added.

The semester, according to the women, has been enjoyable and sans the battle between the sexes. "The guys were really friendly," Han said. "We didn't have any backlash."

But one complaint of both women was not having enough opportunities to interact with more students living in the residence hall. Guys and gals.

Han recalled a breakfast social where everyone "grabbed their food and left."

And Glover echoed the void: "I just feel like we really haven't had a forum to get together."

But one day last semester, a friend got a call asking him if he wanted to help raise money for the Dance Marathon while Han and Glover were visiting.

He asked his visitors if they had any ideas, and the rest was history.

Well, not exactly. Han and Glover had to canvass the halls of Old East trying to convince male residents to be auctioned as bachelors of the residence hall.

"I think being on stage made some nervous," Han said.

But Glover knew they couldn't argue with the bottom line. "Most of them sucked it up because it was for the kids," she said.

Then it was call this business. Pick up that certificate. Take pictures for fliers -- from guys in the shower to Santa hats. Make auctioning paddles. And so on.

While they were ironing out specifics, the owner of The Artist's Escape -- who will be on the auction block as well -- offered to let Han and Glover hold the event at his cafe and bar.

Saturday, Han and Glover hope to be watching a "family affair" that will weave together a group of people who reside in an historic residence hall as well as raise money for a charitable cause.

But both say this event -- or "our baby" -- is for everyone. Door prizes will be given out, donations are being accepted, and bidding isn't required.

Han and Glover warn if someone enters the doors not planning to bid on the Old East men they've come to know and befriend, he or she might be in for a surprise. "When you see how cute these guys are, you'll change your mind," Han said.

Cue Glover: "We're so proud of our men."

The Features Editor can be reached at features@unc.edu.