The 'Street' still strong: Sophomores flock to Bicker, sign-ins

The busiest week on Prospect Avenue ended Feb. 5 with 932 students — more than 80 percent of the sophomore class — joining eating clubs through Bicker and sign-ins, according to ICC Advisor Marty Crotty '98.

Ivy Club had the highest selectivity rate, accepting only 64 of the 145 students who bickered. Tower Club accepted 89 of the 130 students. Cap and Gown Club accepted 80 of 112 Bickerees, and Tiger Inn accepted 78 of 109 Bickerees, Crotty said.

Cottage Club accepted 87 of 116 Bickerees, according to Crotty. Outgoing Cottage president Grainger David '00 said, however, that by the second day of Bicker, 131 students were seeking membership in the club.

Ninety-four students were offered club memberships in second-round sign-ins. Colonial Club had the largest second-round sign-in with 53 students, raising its total sophomore membership to 98, higher than any other club.

Quadrangle Club and Cloister Inn both filled in second-round sign-ins, accepting 20 and 10 students, respectively. Campus Club, the only club not to fill, attracted 11 students in the second round for a total of 35.

Charter Club was filled in first-round sign-ins, with 132 sophomores selecting it as their first choice. Through the lottery process, Charter accepted 91 new members, placed 18 students on the waitlist and turned down eight others.

Colonial

Colonial president Melissa Waage '01 said she believed this year's sign-ins were a success, despite the relatively low first-round turnout. "I feel excellent about it," Waage said. "Going from a sign-in of 20-something to a sign-in of 98 in a year will definitely revitalize the club."

"I feel we attracted a lot of people who got hosed in Bicker but still want to have a great time in a club," Waage said. "We're going to throw lots of good parties and keep our members happy."

With its 35 new members, Campus had the lowest turnout on the 'Street.' These results are similar to Colonial's low sign-in turnout last year, when the club attracted only 34 new members.

"I'm not thrilled about it, but you can't be too upset with it," said Campus social chair Eric Berg '01. "I'm trying to stay optimistic."

"Although Campus is not full, I think that people will decide to join there after they have some time to think about it," Crotty said. "It is a very hard situation to be in when you only have 24 hours or less to make a second-round decision. I applaud all those who came out."

Meanwhile, the Bicker clubs are enjoying increased popularity compared to recent years, according to Crotty. During the past two years, the total number of sophomores bickering has increased by 20 percent. This year, Bicker clubs accepted a total of 398 students, almost 50 more than last year, according to numbers provided by Crotty.

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ICC president and Tower Club president Will Staples '00 said he was pleased with Bicker at his club. "Bicker at Tower went fabulously, and we were very excited about the number of students who turned out," he said. "We had the second-highest turnout number of students and the second-highest selectivity rate on the 'Street.' "

Attracting about 100 students, second-round sign-ins maintained success similar to that of the past few years. "I'm happy that people came out in good numbers for second-round sign-ins," Crotty said. "Overall, [there was] excellent participation, great balance and the prospect for even better things to come throughout the spring and early fall."