The pledging season is almost finished, and social clubs will have new members by next Wednesday.
But before the pledges get to finally wear the jerseys and T-shirts they have waited so long to do, they must survive Homecoming week first.
Between intramural games, float preparations, visits, and pledging activities, pledges have plenty to keep their schedules full.
Mark Jackson, director of student organizations, said most of this week will be centered on Homecoming-related activities.
“Each club was allowed one Wednesday night activity that can be up to three hours in length,” Jackson said. “They can also do visits with seniors during lunch or while working on their float. Intramural games are taking place as well, and most clubs have the pledges cheer at the champ games. It’s a tiring week, but a fun week overall.”
Jackson also said he thinks this semester’s round of pledging was successful.
“All in all, I think pledging has gone well, Jackson said. “One of the things I am hoping to implement after Fall Break is a meeting with each club president, pledging officer team and sponsors to discuss what worked well or what could have gone better or needs tweaking in the future.”
One new idea for pledging has already been put on the table.
Homecoming Weekend is packed full of club traditions, but Emily Adkins, junior pre-physical therapy major from Irving and a member of Sigma Theta Chi, presented a potential new tradition to club presidents on Wednesday for Saturday’s football game.
Adkins suggested pledges wear purple to the football game in addition to their formal colors in an effort to support a more overall sense of school pride.
“I know everyone loves to see the pledges in formal colors at the game, struggling to stay awake,” Adkins said. “I love tradition, so I think that is hilarious, but I also think it would be amazing to see everyone with all of their formal colors on, with their purple shirts over them, tucked in, and pledge pin on the outside.”
Club presidents were mostly receptive to the idea and will talk to officer teams about pledges wearing purple to the game.
“No one had questions other than it being too hot,” Adkins said. “Some guys’ clubs are thinking of purple hats and ties with formal colors instead of shirts. But I think from the positive reactions, hopefully pledges will be wearing purple.”
While officer teams mull over the idea, pledges of all clubs are gearing up for the long nights ahead preparing for the parade and for club breakfasts, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll get in someday soon.
The final number of pledges for each club are:
AKO- 41
GATA- 54
KJK- 59
EOX- 57
TKG- 40
Frats- 10
Galaxy- 46
GSP- 49
PK- 10
Sub T-18
Trojans- 17
