Hundreds sign on at bid night

The testosterone level in Meyerson B-1 was staggering. Approximately 470 new members of the Greek system turned out last night to sign their fraternity bids, completing the last step in the five-week rush experience. The Interfraternity Council Board took special steps to alter both the length and content of this year's meeting. Last year, pledges became unruly during a two-hour ceremony that included speeches on drug and alcohol awareness. During that meeting, many pledged verbally harassed Tricia Phaup, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. This year, IFC President Morris Massel said the educational component was incorporated into the actual rush process. "This year we had the educational component during rush," Massel said. "We are having bid signing night as only bid signing night. "Our experience has taught us that [the pledges] are going to be very excited and we don't want to hold them back," he added. IFC Vice President for Rush Rick Thompson opened the meeting by offering congratulations to the pledges. "You all made it through it, and congratulations," he said. "You're all starting a new chapter in your lives." Thompson, a College junior, tempered his speech with some words of caution and advice for the men. "You not only represent yourself, you represent your chapter," he said. "I'd like to urge you to act responsibly, be smart, and make the right decisions." Massel echoed these sentiments, adding a special word about hazing. "Different frats have different ways of incorporating new members," he said. "One of the things you don't have to do is hazing. Hazing is illegal. You're not supposed to do it at any point." The pledges were then turned loose to find and sign their bids. The word "excited" aptly described many signers last night, including Wharton freshman and Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledge Mark Savage. "I'm excited to get a bid," he said. "I hope to make a lot of friends and have a good time." College freshman Justin Gutierrez, a Sigma Phi Epsilon pledge, said he is looking forward to "just meeting more people and being able to contribute positively to the Penn community and the community at large."