WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 13
INSULTING AMERICA? 5
BASEBALL 15
theTrinitonian
Vol. 115 Issue 18
Serving Trinity University, San Antonio Since 1902
February 12, 2016
Fraternities and sororities celebrate Bid Day
Members of various sororities and fraternities gather around campus to welcome new active members into their organizations.
Trinity students congregate around the fountain to celebrate their bids BY JESSICA LUHRMAN
NEWS REPORTER
Greek organizations gathered around Miller Fountain on Feb. 5 for Bid Day, the annual induction of new members for fraternities and sororities. There are now 605 students involved in Greek organizations on campus. Sororities extended 120 bids to women and fraternities gave 67 bids to men. Jeremy Allen, the coordinator for fraternity and sorority life, said organizations were excited to welcome new members. “The actives at the fountain didn’t know who the new members are until they came up. It’ll be kind of a mini-reveal every time a new member
NEWS...1-4
comes up. I know organizations were chomping at the bit to welcome the new members and find out what their class is going to look like during orientation and beyond,” Allen said. Bid Day marks the first day of New Member Orientation, a four-weeklong orientation process for new members. “Organizations have a maximum of four weeks of orientation. It can consist of breakfasts and dinners with the organization, study hall hours, camping retreats, meetings with alumni and really learning the and culture of each organization,” said Allen. For the first time, students who did not receive a bid were called the day before Bid Day to notify them. There were 15 students who did not receive a bid this year. “I’ve been calling them the day before. In the past it’s always been that on Bid Day if you don’t receive a call between 2:30-3 p.m., that means you have received a bid and that you can go get your bid card. I want to tell
OPINION...5-6
people if they didn’t receive a bid the day before, so that students will have more time to get prepared,” Allen said. Allen added that there are other opportunities for students to be involved in campus outside of Greek organizations. “It’s all about finding a fit with an organization. I really do believe that students will end up with the organization that is right for them. And even students that don’t receive a bid I think are going to find that there’s always another opportunity next year or other organizations to join on campus. It really does work out for the best on all sides,” said Allen. There was noticeable unity between Greek organizations, according to Esther Kim, coordinator for student programs. “It was my first Bid Day and the energy of it all was very exciting. The camaraderie amongst all the Greek chapters was noticeable. It was great to really see them unite together,” Kim said.
PULSE...7-9
Megan Reynolds, senior and english major, has been a Sigma Theta Tau active for four years and notes that she still gets excited for Bid Day. “Everybody waits at the fountain and you don’t know who’s coming, but when you see them with your organization’s shirt on- it’s just pure joy. Our rush process is so long, so it’s such a relief and so exciting when it’s over,” Reynolds said. Trinity’s rush period is longer than other universities. It begins in October and ends in February. The longer process is intended to give students an opportunity to become better acquainted with organizations. “During rush, there are three formal events that we recommend that students go to which is first, second and third round. Students will also host informal events including dinners, sport games, meeting with alumni and some groups have recruitment days that they set up — where students can meet as many actives as they can,” Allen said. Every bid is seriously considered
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT...10-12
photos by Claudia Garcia
for each organization, according to Allen. “Nothing is taken lightly. Any bid that is given is very thought out and much discussed and debated,” Allen said. Sororities and fraternities extend bids to students who are a good fit in the organization. “You want to see people going to an organization that is (the best fit for them.) Even if someone who I thought was really cool ends up choosing a different organization, it’s OK because I want to go where they’re going to be happy,” said Reynolds. Allen explained that inductees learn a passion for the Greek community during orientation. “I’ve heard a lot of people say that there’s really no way to prepare for orientation. There’s no way to develop the passion and knowledge that you have for the organization. That passion comes during orientation,” Allen said.
SPORTS...13-16