SISTER, SISTER

Throngs of young women clad in matching tank tops and covered in vivid shades of face paint stood in Centennial Mall on Sunday afternoon, chattering excitedly as they awaited the commencement of Sorority Bid Day.

The handmade signs they waved bore the names of new members, and they screamed their chapters’ letters at the top of their lungs, singing chants and songs announcing fealty and love for their sisters.

“Panhellenic recruitment is a weeklong process,” explained Amy Teta, WKU senior and chair of the Panhellenic Circle of Sisterhood, a sorority philanthropy foundation. “Bid Day is a celebration at the end of that week. We welcome new members home, and they join their chapters and play get-to-know-you games.”

WKU has 15 sororities, nine of which belong to the National Panhellenic Conference and participate in the annual Sorority Bid Day, marking the end of sorority recruitment. Recruitment, also known as Rush Week, gives prospective sisters the opportunity to socialize with each sorority and its women and allows each chapter to get to know the potential new members through a series of introductions, meetings and orientations intended to filter the applicant pool and determine each potential member’s best fit. 

Each sorority has a different type of philanthropy and different core values,  it’s important that the prospective members get a chance to figure out where they best belong.

This year’s rush week began with move in on Aug. 14, continuing through the week with activities leading up to bid day, the main event of recruitment, when sorority sister hopefuls receive bids from chapters interested in taking them on as members.

“You and me are gonna be sisters, you and me are gonna be pals!”

“One more time!”

“You and me are gonna be sisters, you and me are gonna be pals!” 

That was Delta Zeta chapter, dressed in teal and carrying paper starfish to reflect their seaside theme. Their shouted mantra grew louder until it competed with the Justin Bieber ballads that Phi Mu Delta Tau blasted and Alpha Omicron Pi sorority’s Alpha Chi chapter roll call.

The sisters rehearsed choreographed dances on the red brick and posed for quick photos with giant flags lettered with the names of their sororities. The air was one of camaraderie and anticipation, with banners reading of slogans like “Welcome Home to Alpha Delta Pi” and “We Can’t Wait to Meet Our Roommates!” greeting the recruits.

Finally, the time came for this year’s 400 new members to join their sororities. Clouds of bright smoke and colored glitter flew as the women ran to find theirBigs, experienced sorority sisters who would act as mentors through the pledgeship process and the college years.

A few minutes later, all the bigs had their littles. Hugs and laughter ensued, and more tank tops were passed around to each pledge. The sororities walked together back to their houses to take group pictures and initiate their new members, and the new season began for Greek life on campus. 

Reporter Sarah Yaacoub can be reached at 270-745-2655 and [email protected].