The Inter-Fraternity Council and Residence Life are meeting today in order to discuss an alternative to the traditional procedures of awarding bids to rushees.
Under the proposed plan, fraternity members would have to be escorted by resident assistants to enter a residence hall, according to St. Elmo Hall president Mike Mahon.
One to three brothers would be escorted to the rushees' rooms to give them their bids or take them outside to be greeted by the fraternity.
A similar procedure was mentioned last year but was not enforced.
This is mainly because of Asst. Dean of Students John Foubert's request last spring in response to past mishaps, including noise problems and small crimes such as larceny and vandalism.
Typically on Bid Day, surprised rushees will be greeted with anything from loud chanting to being thrown in the air as they are given their bids to join a fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon president Wickliffe Lyne said.
As a result, Housing Division officials said complaints of extra trash and noise are problems every Bid Day.
Also, University Police confirmed reports of three incidents in first-year residence halls on Bid Day last year, including one report of larceny and two reports of vandalism.
The University's housing rules do not allow guests into residence halls unless they are invited, Asst. Dean of Students Aaron Laushway said. Once allowed inside, they are the responsibility of the resident. Therefore, in order to stay within the University's regulations, a new procedure may be enforced this coming Bid Day.
Even though Mahon said he was not completely opposed to the possible procedure, he did say, "It is a shame that this change will happen ... the other way is just more fun. Kids who didn't rush even liked it."
IFC President Justin Saunders said "some things have gone wrong" and Bid Day practices slowly have been changing year by year to minimize disruption.
Many fraternity members do not think this will affect the number of bids accepted, but first-year College student and rushee Brad Willard said, "I am upset that this would happen. The old tradition would make me feel more a part of the University."
Laushway has positive expectations for the meeting.
He said Residence Life is very willing to work with IFC to make the event as exciting as it has been in past years.
On the other hand, fourth-year College student Jeff Heckman said, "This action would put a damper on the excitement of the day. Bid Day is supposed to be a day of unpredictability and unexpected things. If this plan goes through, it will take a lot of that away."
Residence Life Co-Chairwomen Sarah Chewning and Katherine Thomas declined to comment.
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