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Show 4 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE 2000 Duke Sororities Questioned About Bid Night Procedures JAIME LEVY KATHER1NE The Chronicle STROUP chapters. M2ny post fliers around campus and provide buses for transporting students to the parties. Alcohol y is usually in abundance, and many sororities with their pledges before arriving at the clubs. As with any college party, a few attendees might have had a few Op i pre-part- With stories of dangerously drunk students and harmful rites of passage circulating across campus, Duke University is starting to investigate sorority incidents that one senior administrator called "potentially lethal." After enduring the grueling formal rush process, the sorority community breathes a sigh of relief when rushees become pledges. It is time to celebrate. But suddenly bid nights parties where pledges and sisters invite the campus for a night of bonding, dancing and drinking have become urgent concerns for many university administrators. A letter to the editor published in Monday's edition of The Chronicle alleged that pledges to Duke's chapter of Pi Beta Phi were expected to drink excessively bid night. and had to walk home from the And Monday night, one pledge and one member of Duke's chapter of Delta Gamma were sent to the hospital following the sorority's bid night at Tobacco bid-nig- ht off-camp- Road-hous- e. Associate Dean for Judicial Affairs Kacie Wallace said she is looking into these incidents and several other sororities' practices. "If there is ever a situation where a student is forced to do something or there is an environment created where a student is allowed to do something that is dangerous or embarrassing, then we will look into that," said Wallace, paraphrasing the definition of hazing. "We're starting to get to the point where we hear of things that cross the line and become very dangerous." Although bid nights seem to be getting more attention this year, substance-abus- e specialist Jcanine Atkinson said the hard numbers of people being hospitalized seem standard one or two students were admitted iast year, and five the year before. Even the tales of hazing arc nothing new. "I do think the letter has drawn attention to a problem that has always been there," said Ellen Plummer, former Panhellcnic Council adviser. ; At typical bid nights, which arc generally not sanctioned by national organizations, sororities rent out local bars or clubs to welcome new members to their bid-nig- ht too many by the end of the night. "After attending many bid nights, including this week, I know for certain there are many individuals who experience those problems, but not all are reported," said Delta Gamma President Allison Beard, a senior. Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Sue Wasiolek said this year's bid nights seem more dangerous than those in the past. "My experience has been that when students gather at a party or social event where alcohol is available or strongly encouraged," she said, "there's always the potential for some problematic situations." Panhelienic President Kate Heath, a junior, said pledges are not explicitly pressured to drink. "I hope new members never feel as if their choice to drink or not drink affects their relationship with their sorority," she said. "I know many women who are happily involved with their sorority and choose not to drink." Still, Atkinson called late January to early February a that "high-ris- k time for freshman women" so high-ris- k she distributes informational pamphlets to sorority members providing tips for making bid nights safer. Sororities have also recognized the potential hazards of binge drinking. Panhelienic Council and some individual sororities have rules that keep a few members sober and watching out for the others. But there are stilt frightening allegations that older sisters-pusyounger women to exceed their limits. a "It's great concern that we are endangering the lives of some of our most vulnerable students because of practices," said Vice President for Student A.ffairs Janet Dickerson. drinking and perhaps intentional expectations that people will drink to get drunk have led to potentially lethal situations where students have to go through detoxification. They're really put at risk by women who would have them be sisters." Some sorority presidents stressed that they do not require pledges to drink on bid night. ge "Out-of-contr- ol see DUKE, page 5 university v f $ f ' The University of Ulan Police Department was oiled to a scene of a burglary and arrested one suspect. Several other participants fled the BUSTED: ALPHA CHI continued from page 1 past it hosted a benefit ski night. Gardner said construction and time constraints prevented sisters from doing so this year. y "It's more this year than we have been in the past," she said. "But we wanted to keep the idea of a We thought the hockey game would be a much better turnout. So far it's turning out to be much better money wise." Throughout the week, the sorority will also sell raffle tickets for a drawing on Friday. All the prizes being raffled have been donated by local busi ski-res- low-ke- SI win-ter-fe- - What is your computer telling you? 5 st. , " scene and were subsequently arrested, sold UUPD $t. Don Bird. "Several juvenile; and one acuii" were involved In the alleged burglary, Bird sa!d. nesses. Gardner said the sorority had at least 35 certificates for dinners, car washes and opera tickets, and are receiving more in the mail every day. Monica Meyers, Alpha Chi Omega philanthropy chair, mailed out letters requesting donations from the businesses. Gardner said the response has been greater than expected. Besides raising money for the shelter, the sorority is also working to develop service projects on which the sorority can work together. "It's important to bring our chapter together in doing some kind of service and raise money for something worthwhile," Gardner said. rS" mssssm Suffer from cold sores? If so, then you may be just who we're looking are conducting a research study of an investigational medication for the treatment and possible prevention of cold sore lesions. You for. We UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE Computing Solutions Service Center 581-54- must be 585-4- 7 and in 58 TriTaf Jim ihna A U of 1 2 years of age or older (wtth parental consent, if appropriate), good general health to participate. IF INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT: Utah-Clinic- al Studies, 546 Chepeta Way, Ste 2300 |
