Sign-in surge reduces Bicker prospects in second-round

While the Inter-Club Council has tried to provide more options for students who are denied a bid by Bicker clubs, the large numbers of first-round sign-ins suggest that second-round options may be limited.

This year, sign-ins saw a rise in participants. After Sunday's lottery, Colonial Club filled to capacity and Charter Club has spaces available only on its wait-list.

All bickerees will be required to fill out lottery forms for second-round sign-ins, said ICC president Dan Hantman '03. "The only change made in the system was moving the due date of second-round sign in forms from Saturday to Thursday," Hantman said. "In the past, not many students utilized second-round sign-ins because of the disappointment after not receiving a bid from a Bicker club."

Last night, officers of Bicker clubs distributed lottery forms to all bickerees to help with the second round process. The forms were filled in, submitted immediately or will be turned in by noon Thursday, Hantman said.

"We want students to think clearly about their second, third, and fourth choices for an eating club," said Tim Szostek '02, ICC Adviser. "By moving the due date up, students are more likely to be thinking clearly, rather than relying on emotion and leaving the system."

Sophomores have to make up their minds to bicker or sign in by the Sunday before the first day of classes. Once the first round is completed, no new members are admitted to sign-in clubs with available space until the official second lottery.

Those students who received membership to a sign-in club during the first round have two options: remain in the club or withdraw from the club system entirely.

"If a student doesn't like the outcome of the first round of sign-ins, it doesn't mean they can decide to switch over to Bicker," Szostek said.

ICC regulations don't officially let students change their minds once the decision is made to sign in during the first round.

"We've never had to deal with a situation where a student came to Bicker after signing in first round," said Rob Neely '03, Ivy Club president. "If it does happen, the officers and myself would have to sit down and discuss how to handle the situation."

Though second-round sign-in forms are due Thursday, the final lottery will not be held until Saturday afternoon. Once the Bicker clubs have submitted their member lists to the ICC office on Friday, the lottery list will be revised, eliminating students who receive bids from a Bicker club, Szostek said.

"There is a space in the club system for every sophomore who wants one," Hantman said. "With the new system, it is more likely that more sophomores will remain in the system."

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When asked to comment on the benefits of first-round sign-ins versus second-round, Szostek and Hantman said they didn't see any advantage. In both situations, students are being asked to thoughtfully consider their first, second and third choices for a club, which can include a club wait-list.

Szostek didn't think the change would affect the selectivity of Bicker clubs.

"Prior to the start of the entire process, each club is asked to quote the number of students they can accept into their club," he said. "Clubs cannot change their numbers in the middle of the process."

After a more thorough count, it is estimated that about 370 sophomores signed into a club, Szostek said, which is 20 more than projected yesterday. The ICC has not revealed official first round numbers for any of the sign-in or Bicker clubs.