Men’s social clubs will not be allowed to hold coffees for the first time.

Before bid night, men’s clubs would hold one last rush-type event called coffees that was intended for more intentional interactions between those who are rushing and club members.

Bart Herridge, dean of student engagement and retention, said there is no need for the clubs to have coffees anymore.

“There was a broad consensus from folks that were involved in the student life process and sponsors said that coffees were events that were no longer needed. It was originally intended as a last rush-type thing,” Herridge said, “but over the last few years, we’ve observed that the activities that had gone on at those times were already turning into pre-bid night pledging activities. We want to keep the pledging activities in the confines of the pledging period.”

The purpose of ACU’s elimination of coffees is so pledging can officially begin on bid night.

“However, the other reason for this is so that bids become more of a surprise,” said Brenden Beck, senior kinesiology major from Abilene and Frater Sodalis Brat Dad.

Because coffees are eliminated, men’s rushing is now modeled more closely to women’s clubs. After three rushes, men’s clubs will now vote then release their bids on call night.

There are no future plans to reinstate coffees again or have something else in its place.

“Part of the reason for this is because ACU is still in the process of finding another director of social clubs. Until then, it’s better to take away than to replace as we’re in the middle of pledging season.”

Beck said he and other social club officers he knows are not happy about the decision to take away coffees.

He said he believes that pledge selection will now be too broad for men’s clubs.

Although this has been taken away, he said clubs have to pick and choose their battles.

“At the end of the day, I’m just happy we still have pledging, even if that means giving up a few things,” Beck said.