As students in the fall semester get settled into the routine of classes and social activities, campus fraternities gain new members after bid day celebrations. Prior to bid day, rushes were brought to an elegant dinner where they received a bid from the fraternities that selected them. On the evening of September 24, 2021, the fraternity presidents and recruitment chairs convened in Kidde 228 to hear the decisions of the rushes.
Holding bid day in-person was not an entirely new change for the fraternities but one that was much anticipated, as the COVID-19 pandemic prevented any face to face interaction last year. “Rush events were incredible. We conducted some online events, but we were fortunate enough to be able to hold in-person events while sticking to COVID-19 restrictions. There was an incredible turnout, with lots of new connections made. The best part was that the faces in little squares were turned into people!” explained Matthew Kirby, the internal Vice President of Kappa Sigma who oversees recruitment.
Kappa Sigma, a relatively new fraternity on campus, was founded in 2012 on the principle that it was to be a place where everyone could fit in. The thrill of being able to hold in-person rush events this year was shared by other fraternities on campus as well. Matthew Bayne, President of the Alpha Tau Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi, said, “A lot of sophomore guys that we met virtually last year were finally able to come to the house and experience what we do in person, so they came around often. The freshmen are a close second though, as we have plenty that have been loving coming around for events or just to hang out. The Spring recruitment is looking like it is going to be a great turnout!”
Multiple rush events were held throughout the semester, which acted as a bonding experience, allowing those rushing and current brothers to socialize and get to know each other on an equal playing field. For example, Bayne asserted, “One of my favorite [rush events] is Fried Everything Night, where rushes are able to bring any type of food to the house and we will fry it for them.” Kirby similarly shared the sentiment of his favorite rush tradition conducted by Kappa Sigma in saying, “Every year, we have a Kappa Cup, which is a huge dodgeball tournament! Everyone is able to meet everyone. It is normally held in Walker Gym, but due to covid restrictions, the Kappa Cup had to be held outside this year. Which then presented the problem of balls flying out of control and all over the field. So, in order to keep the balls in a contained area, the teams that were not playing built a human wall around the teams that were.” Kirby went on to describe this team-building experience by saying it’s always been his “favorite event, and it very much still is!” Bayne also reflected on the semester’s events and remarked, “It seems Alpha Sig has gotten a lot of attention and interest recently. We’ve had great attendance at our events and have made many new friends that enjoy just hanging out at the house, which we love. We have been trying hard to promote the benefits of joining our organization, and it seems to be paying off!”
As Bid Day celebrations commenced at Stevens, the complicated history of fraternity life at higher education institutions was a topic of discussion. Hazing practices across college campuses have caused Greek organizations to be sanctioned, put on probation or banned. Alpha Sigma and Kappa Sigma, like the rest of the Greek organizations on campus, abide by the saying “Ducks don’t haze.” Bayne affirmed that, “Our organization acknowledges the risk and potential tragedy that hazing can incur. We ensure that our new members gain the knowledge and experience they need to be brothers without resorting to hazing. There are many ways we make sure of this, from education programs required by our fraternity headquarters to specific positions in the house whose responsibility is to make sure the new members feel safe and respected. Furthermore, the current leadership of the fraternity, including myself, are actively against the idea of hazing new members; we have the power to make sure it doesn’t happen within our organization.” By having a “zero tolerance policy” for hazing, Kirby instructs, “If ever you feel like something isn’t right, tell someone. There are many resources to go to, and many people who care about the health and wellbeing of rushes, pledges, and brothers.”
As the excitement of bid day continues on the Stevens campus, new pledges become fraternity brothers, following tradition. While they continue to honor the past, the forward thinking leaders of these fraternities are well aware of the challenges they face, and the scrutiny under which their actions will be judged if any issues present themselves, as well as the tremendous opportunities that membership can afford their members.
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