January Bid Day to be dry

  This January, Muskingum wants to continue the effort to ensure that bid day will remain dry.

  "Bid day is the day when the potential new members get their invitations to join a fraternity or sorority [and] accept their invitations for membership," said Stacey Allan, the Director of Greek Affairs on campus.  "We do typically have problems [with alcohol]."

  She noted that in her four years at Muskingum, some students had to be transported to medical facilities due to excessive drinking during bid day.

  Janet Heeter-Bass, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, also commented on the issue.

  "We've had a problem in the past with alcohol at bid day, not only from the students but from younger alumni," said Heeter-Bass.  "Most of the new pledges are under 21 and so it makes sense that there's no reason to have alcohol at your event because the focus is supposed to be on your pledges for that day."

  She also discussed enforcement options for the day.

  "We'll basically enforce it like everything else on campus," said Heeter-Bass. "We'll address situations as they arise. The Student Life staff will be out and around on that day like they usually are on the weekend."

  As for the recent change that allows alcohol to be sold at Riesbeck's in New Concord, Allan offered her opinion.

  "I'm not concerned with them selling it at Riesbecks.  If a student wants alcohol, they are going to get it, whether from there or Cambridge or Zanesville," said Allan.

  However, both express faith that the Greek community will cooperate.

  "We have some pretty good leadership in our Greek organizations," said Heeter-Bass. "I anticipate the organizations will be pretty responsible."

  Allan also added her opinion.

  "We're going to expect that fraternities and sororities take responsibility for what we're asking them to do," said Allan.