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Duke investigates bid night practices

DURHAM, N.C.-With stories of dangerously drunk students and harmful rites of passage circulating across campus, Duke University is starting to investigate sorority bid night incidents that one senior administrator called "potentially lethal."

After enduring the grueling formal rush process, the sorority community breathes a sigh of relief when rushees become pledges. It is time to celebrate. But suddenly bid night parties where pledges and sisters invite the campus for a night of bonding, dancing and drinking have become urgent concerns for many university administrators.

A letter to the editor published in Monday's edition of The Chronicle alleged that pledges to Pi Beta Phi were expected to drink excessively and had to walk home from the off-campus bid night. And Monday night, one pledge and one member of Delta Gamma were sent to the hospital following the sorority's bid night at Tobacco Roadhouse.

Associate Dean for Judicial Affairs Kacie Wallace said she is looking into these incidents and several other sororities' bid night practices.

"If there is ever a situation where a student is forced to do something or there is an environment created where a student is allowed to do something that is dangerous or embarrassing, then we will look into that...," said Wallace, paraphrasing the definition of hazing. "We're starting to get to the point where we hear of things that cross the line and become very dangerous."