Saturday mornings on a college campus are normally in a quite serene state. There isn’t much movement, and many are still catching up on sleep from a week of late nights and early 8 a.m.’s. Occasionally, however, one might be rudely awoken by a mob of screaming ladies as they sprint down the main stretch between the Quads towards the houses on Greek Row.
Good morning, Union!
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If you aren’t familiar with Greek Life culture, then this phenomenon might confuse you. Understandingly so. Seemingly mass chaos, glitter and paint over everything and endless playlists featuring the Jonas Brothers and Aaron Carter aren’t exactly what I would call a routine Saturday morning, but that is the magic and mystery of Sorority Bid Day.
“Bid Day is like sorority Christmas!” Sallie Norman, senior music education major and president of Kappa Delta, said outside of her sorority house, her face covered with colorful paint and glitter and a giant foam lollipop in her hand.
In the background, another sister of Kappa Delta yells “Amen!” in agreement to what Norman said. “We just love having new women come and join us! It’s a blast!”
“A blast” may have been an understatement in describing the scene taking place in front of the three houses on Greek Row. After a week of stressful and formal recruitment activities, ladies going through the process are anxious to get a “bid” (an invitation to join) from the Greek organization that they are most interested in. Upon discovering which house recruited them, the ladies take off as fast as they can from the Bowld Commons to the house that picked them up. They are met by a squealing crowd of current members and alumni of the corresponding sorority, who are eager with hugs, tears and excitement about their new sisters.
Talk about a lively Christmas.
Maddie Stadinger, freshman communications major, was one of the girls who “ran home” to Zeta Tau Alpha.
“I am feeling a lot of emotions right now! I am mostly excited and happy to be where I am called to be,” Stadinger said. Surrounding her were a large group of girls feeling these same emotions while proudly wearing their new letters.
Of course, this excitement isn’t exclusive only to the new recruits and current members, but also to many parents present at the event. Moms (and even a few dads) line the outskirts of each house with their phones out and cameras ready to capture the moment that their daughter is welcomed into a group of new sisters. For most, this is a very special time, especially for those whose mothers were also in the chapter while in school.
“It is a neat thing to know that my daughter gets to be a part of something that I was a part of and love so much,” said Trudi Presley, Chi Omega mom and Union alumnae. Her daughter, Lauren Presley, is a junior public relations major who went through recruitment two years prior and has been an active member in Chi Omega ever since. “It was an emotional thing. I cried!”
However, not all tears released by parents on Bid Day are joyful. While it is common for girls to go to the house that their parents were in, this isn’t always the case and can be tough on moms who want their daughters to experience the friendship and sisterhood that they experienced during their time at Union.
Missi Hardin, an alumnae member of Zeta Tau Alpha, watched her daughter run to the Kappa Delta house on Bid Day. After asking how that made her feel, she confessed with misty eyes that it was a bit upsetting. In spite of her sadness however, Hardin said, “I want her to be where she feels at home. It is not about what I want. It is about what she wants, and when I saw her come and hug and love on these girls, I could tell that this is where she wants to be.”
Hardin stood ready, as any proud mother does, to take pictures of her daughter encircled by her newest, closest friends. A soft smile spread across her face.
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After spending a few hours watching the conundrum of dancing, singing, hugging, crying and laughing, I realized that this truly was a very special day. Whether or not you agree with the Greek Life culture or model, something can truly be said about the joy that Bid Day brings to so many people on campus. And yes, while girls may be running to separate houses, greeted by those wearing different letters, there is still unity and excitement among all the members of Greek organizations. Each may have different traditions, letters, chants and songs, but they all share the same goal of providing a place for friendship and sisterhood to cultivate, and I believe that is something to celebrate.
Photos Courtesy of Tamara Friesen
