In an attempt to attract new members in the spring semester, eating clubs have started hosting their annual "sophomore dinners."
Sophomore dinners, the first events in the run-up to spring semester Bicker and sign-in sessions, typically begin after Fall Break, with each club organizing a unique event.
Popular with sophomores, the dinners bring in up to hundreds of potential new members to experience a more typical upperclassman event at the Street — dinner.
Some of the dinners feature special menus, themes or affiliated events.
Charter Club, for example, held a "Southwestern Barbecue Fiesta" on Friday, which president Chris Voie '05 called "overwhelmingly successful."
And sophomores have been receptive to the dinners.
Ben Brady '07 said he plans to attend future events at various clubs. "I will go [to dinners] my friends are interested in, or where I already know people who belong," he said.
While the dinners give sophomores an idea of each club's character and the expertise of its kitchen, most potential club members said the single-most important aspect in their decision will be their friends' preferences.
Dave Greenhalgh '07 said regardless of his impression of the dinner session, he will join the club "where my other friends go."
Brady also said he plans to join whichever club his friends choose. But, he said, "the atmosphere of the club and quality of the food will also play a role."
Other clubs plan to begin hosting the meals soon. Quadrangle Club President J. W. Victor '05 said his club will offer its first such dinner this year on Nov. 12.
The dinners "allow sophomores to experience eating clubs, to see the quality of food, and to experience the feeling of community that often does not exist in residential colleges," Victor said.
Nik Ajagu '05, Ivy Club president, said Ivy's one sophomore dinner, by invitation, will be held after winter break. Ajagu noted that interested sophomores may eat at the club at any point next semester by contacting him and exchanging a meal.
Colonial Club President Tracy Solomon '05 said her club will arrange several smaller sophomore dinners on Nov. 15, 16, 22 and 30, and on Dec. 7 and 8. The club will also hold a larger semi-formal dinner on Jan. 6.
Campus Club will have its first open dinner on Nov. 10, according to club president Justin Reed '05. After that, he said, the club will hold either open or invitation-only dinners every two weeks.
Tower Club President Eric Czervionke '05 said that his club will hold two sign-up dinners before Christmas break, and a semi-formal by invitation in January.
Charter is planning more dinners, Voie said, the first of which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 19.
Club officers expect large attendances. Victor said he anticipates 70 sophomores in Quad's upcoming event, and Ajagu said 100 to 200 sophomores will eat at Ivy's dinner. Solomon said Colonial will limit the dinners to 40 sophomores at a time in order to preserve "the eating club ambience."
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