Bicker remains popular despite consistent controversy

Though this year's Bicker clubs all had strong turnouts, the eating clubs and especially the Bicker process have historically caused much controversy. Former University President Woodrow Wilson 1879 vehemently opposed the creation of the club system, proposing the four-year college system as an alternative. Alumni support for the clubs at the time, however, was overwhelming.

F. Scott Fitzgerald '17 also criticized Bicker as an "orgy of sociability" in his coming-of-age story, "This Side of Paradise." At that time, students joined clubs through multi-Bicker — a process which allowed sophomores to bid for several clubs at the same time. Eating clubs initially invited students to Bicker by personal invitations.

Considerations to return to the multi-Bicker process have resurfaced as recently as 1999. Some thought the clubs would have implemented change by last year.

According to Tiger Inn graduate board chair Robert Hugin '76, multi-Bicker would give sophomores the chance to participate in Bicker sessions at different clubs.

Hugin stressed that the process would allow sophomores to be "better educated," more informed, more aware and more open-minded about their decisions.

"With a more open system, you won't see as much premature bickering," he said. "The grad boards would like to limit as much as possible the emphasis on underclassmen and keep the focus of the clubs on the existing members and the programs we have for them."

But Cindy Drakeman '02, who is president of Tower Club and chair of the Interclub Council — a group composed of all the eating club presidents and responsible for overall 'Street' policy — said it is "highly unlikely" that the clubs will revert back to the multi-Bicker system.

"That practice was in place during a time when students weren't even allowed on Prospect Avenue before Bicker," she explains, "and therefore would not have a very good idea of each club's personality. "

Drakeman said most sophomores, who as freshmen have already been introduced to the 'Street,' have had enough time to decide what club is best for them.

"Under the current system, students may be introduced to clubs as early as freshman fall," she said, "and so they are generally aware of each club's distinctive character before they enter the Bicker process."

Drakeman also pointed to consistently high interest in bickering as proof that multi-Bicker will not return.

ICC Advisor Alice Teti '00 echoed Drakeman's sentiments. She said there it would be difficult to re-establish a multi-Bicker process."This would be a complicated change," she said. "We do not currently have a system for administrating a multi-club Bicker." Teti said the key advantage of single Bicker is that every bid a club makes will be accepted. Though she said multi-Bicker would give sophomores more options, she notes that competition would increase for the most popular clubs.But Teti still leaves room for change.

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The Graduate Interclub Council has formed a committee of young alumni who will make recommendations to both graduate and undergraduate boards concerning the Bicker and sign-in processes.

According to Teti, its purpose is to re-evaluate the membership selection processes in light of the changing campus experience in the hope of preserving the long term health of the club system.

"The club system is in its second century now," she said, "and the GICC recognizes that the membership selection process needs to be examined from time to time to make sure that it is the best for the time."

She said she believes that the hotly debated issue will return to the table.

"With the opening of the [Frist] campus center and the increase in the student body size, now seems like the perfect time to revisit this issue," she said.

Graves Thompson '02, Cottage Club president and the only undergraduate representative on this newly formed young alumni committee, remains skeptical. "I think [multi-Bicker] is unlikely, but it's certainly possible."

The Cottage graduate board had initially led the recent talks for a changed Bicker process. Thompson, whose club drew 168 Bickerees this year — the largest group in the club's history — also believes that conceptually the idea has merit. But he added that "logistically, it's a challenge."

"As it is, it takes a lot of paperwork and takes a long time to discuss all of these Bickerees," he explained. "In a multi-club Bicker system that amount of paperwork and amount of discussion time would increase significantly."

Bicker clubs drew huge numbes from the sophomore and junior classes this year, with Cottage and Cap & Gown clubs leading the pack and Tower experiencing a huge increase from last year's relatively low turnout.

As hundreds of new members spent the weekend drinking, dancing and stripping they also celebrated the longevity of a system that has lasted more than a century. Though it has changed form, sophomores made clear that Fitzgerald's "orgy of sociability" is here to stay.