Panhel gives out 380 bids to rushees

After trudging through snow and ice from house to house for two weeks, about 380 women accepted bids from the Panhellenic Council's nine sororities last night. The pledges were originally supposed to receive their bids on Sunday, but the process was pushed back because of last week's ice-storm, Panhel vice president for rush Nancy Hacker said last night. About 640 started the rush process two weeks ago, the College senior said. She added that she was happy there were fewer "no matches" -- rushees who do not receive bids after the final round -- this year. This year, though, there were about 30 more pledges than last year, Hacker said. While the whole system fared well, Kappa Delta is this year's come-back kid. "We are looking at more than doubling our pledge class from last year," Kappa Delta President and College senior Jessica Gross said last night. Although Gross acknowledged that KD did not make quota this year, she said, "Kappa Delta values women as women, and would never place a number next to their name." Gross attributed the substantial increase to the fact that "there are women out there who are looking for what Kappa Delta has to offer -- a strong sisterhood and a home away from home. "That is what we think the women are looking for, and that is what type women we attract," Gross added. Most of the pledges seemed happy as they opened their bids on the roof-top lounge of High Rise East. "I'm thrilled," said College freshman Sarah Netter as she opened a bid from Kappa Alpha Theta. "It was my first choice. "I never thought I would rush," she added. "[But] then I met these intelligent, motivated women." Nursing freshman Alison Tibbetts said "I'm psyched" as she opened her bid to Alpha Phi. Tibbetts said she was, "sick of fraternity parties," and "wanted more." Some of the most enthusiastic women last night were the sorority's presidents. "I think it went really well," Chi Omega president and College junior Donna Sartz said. "I think it was very hard for the houses especially because of the weather and the cold." Sartz added that she was happy her house made quota this year. "We had a strong rush, and all the sisters are very excited," she said. Delta Delta Delta president and College senior Cynthia Harvey echoed Sartz's appraisal. "Rush for Tri-Delta is always an enjoyable experience, because it is a time of year when our entire house comes together to achieve a common goal -- to get the best pledge class possible," she said. "This results in a positive experience for everyone, and a very happy and positive sisterhood when the entire process is over." But to Alpha Phi president and College senior Heather Hughs, the most important part of rush were the "new faces." "I don't think I've ever seen my chapter more excited," she said. "We're really proud. We've got a super group of women."