'Bid day' brings around 500 new sorority members

In Fetzer Hall Tuesday night, more than 500 women simultaneously received bids from the University’s 10 sororities.

Once they had been chosen, they ran to their new “sisters” who were waiting in Polk Place with anticipation and fanfare.

“It’s the big, fun party at the end of the tunnel,” said Rachel Brown, president of the Panhellenic Council.

Caitlin Durr, vice president of recruitment for the council, said bid day was moved from Kenan Stadium — where it was held last year — because of safety concerns. She said it rained during the event last year, and there were concerns about sorority members falling down.

She said they also wanted to make the process less exclusive.

“We wanted to show what the tradition is to the community,” she said.

Sororities dressed in nautical, western and Superman themes, among others.

Elizabeth Weir, a junior and former sorority member, said she attended to see her friends take part in the activities.

“Meeting people was good, the bad part was that it was time-consuming and stupid,” she said. “Someone who has never been involved in this would think it’s crazy, and they have way too much energy.”

New sorority members were not allowed to be interviewed by The Daily Tar Heel.

Durr said the process began Aug. 29, and there were four rounds, including a skit night and a philanthropy night.

She said bid day is a great payoff for all the women who went through the process.

“They’ve gone through all these rounds, and they secured their place in the Greek community,” she said.

Brown said the women were greeted by each of the sororities’ bid day buddies, who act as the new recruits’ first point of contact.

“They take (recruits) to their new homes for the next four years,” she said.

Durr said those who did not receive a bid were told by their recruitment leader.

Brown said some would not get their first choice, but that should not discourage them about their chapter.

“We recommend that everyone will go and give their house a chance,” she said.

Brown said the effort sorority leaders put into knowing new members and creatively involving them paid off.

“It’s the big, exciting culmination of hard work,” she said.

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