As social clubs’ pledges return from fall break, they face about two more weeks of pledging. The exact date that pledges across campus will become official members of their respective social clubs is not disclosed, but pledges can expect to be admitted anytime before Friday, Oct. 29.
“We’re entering the final stretch for pledging,” said GATA president Bonnie Kellum. “We keep the date they get in a secret, so it will be surprise for the Flames, but the school regulates the length of the process. The last day the pledges can be accepted as official members is Friday, Oct. 29.”
New procedures have affected the pledging process this year for all the clubs.
“The new pledging process has been influential in GATA’s large numbers this year. Because of the invitational process, girls have more time to decide what club to pledge, rather than being ambushed on Bid Day,” Kellum said. “I believe this new process will continue to improve the numbers in social clubs and allow for greater diversity within clubs.”
Pi Kappa member Paul Sims, senior elementary education major from Kodiak, Alaska, said the changes didn’t affect Pi Kappa as much as other clubs.
At this point in the semester between midterms and pledging some students, such as Meghan Morgan, junior advertising/public relations major from Colleyville pledging Ko Jo Kai, have been busy.
“Pledging keeps you busy, but it’s a good busy, and you’re enjoying yourself. Even though everything is hard and exhausting, I’m enjoying time together with the girls even more now, because I’ve formed relationships with them at this point.”
However, Morgan said many clubs’ major activities, such as Homecoming and grubs, are over.
“Our biggest assignments are over (like Homecoming and grub); now we just have lots of small tasks and more activities,” Morgan said.
However, Alpha Kai Omega, GATA and Pi Kappa pledges have yet to have their grubs.