After attending four nights of rush parties, 20 women accepted bids at five of the six College sororities last night. The sixth sorority expects four other women to accept bids on Wednesday.
Panhellenic Council President Jessica Russo '97 said the College decided to hold winter rush this year to increase the options of those sophomore women who, as a result of housing shortages at the College, took the fall term off.
Panhell determined the number of bids extended by each house based on a quota system, said Panhell Vice President Marcie Handler '97.
Delta Delta Delta sorority did not hold its bid acceptance ceremony last night because the four rushees had scheduling conflicts, Tri-Delta President Anne Jones '97 said.
"We're definitely happy to welcome new people," Jones said. "I think it's good that these women were offered a chance to be in the sorority system."
Delta Gamma sorority extended five bids and one open bid, DG President Emily Orzel '97 said. The five women accepted their bids, but no one accepted the open bid, she said.
"I think it was a good experience," she said. "Having smaller parties gave both the rushees and the sisters a better opportunity to get to know each other."
Epsilon Kappa Theta sorority extended six bids, and all six women accepted, Theta President Kathryn Scharbach '97 said. "We're happy with the way rush went, and we're psyched to welcome our new members," she said.
Kappa Delta Epsilon and Kappa Kappa Gamma sororities extended three bids each, and all three women accepted, said KDE member Johanna Blaxall '98 and Kappa Rush Chair Andrea Krumholz '97.
Sigma Delta sorority extended three bids, Sigma Delt President Emily Smith '97 said. Two women accepted the house's bids and one is expected to accept later this term, she said.
When asked about the potential creation of a seventh sorority, Russo said Panhell will be taking a serious look at the issue this year.
Assistant Dean of Residential Life Deb Reinders said 50 percent of the women on campus, who are eligible to be in a sorority, are in one.
"The sororities are burgeoning," she said. If the women in Panhell "want to pursue the idea of a seventh sorority, I think we should take a serious look at it."
Four of the six sororities -- Tri-Delta, KDE, Kappa and Sigma Delt -- have approximately 120 members this term, while the average membership for fraternities is 60 members, according to an Office of Residential Life listing.
