The nervous atmosphere and quiet talking gave way to the screams and cheers of new sorority members who received their bids last night at HUB Alumni Hall as part of Panhellenic Council's (PHC) Bid Day.

"In terms of excitement, it doesn't get bigger than this," PHC President Krista Eck said of the event.

Cassandra Oliver (freshman-communications) said the atmosphere contributed to her excitement.

"I was fine until I got here and then it kicked in," she said.

The event began at 6 p.m. with an address by PHC Vice President of Recruitment Nia Ashby, who read a declaration that condemned the practice of hazing.

Following Ashby's statement, presidents of the 20 participating PHC sororities signed the declaration against hazing. Envelopes were then handed out containing the name of the sorority that the new members would belong to.

Eck said the two weeks leading up to Bid Day have been a great deal of work for everyone involved.

"Bid Day is pretty huge. All the chapters have worked hard, the Pi Chi's have worked hard as well as everyone involved in recruitment and the potential new members," she said.

Jane Neitz, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life, said that each chapter accepted approximately the same number of new members.

"Each chapter took 20 freshmen or sophomore status [members] and one junior," she said.

Neitz said the new online registration system that PHC implemented this year was successful.

"[The online system] is the best thing that's happened to our recruitment in a long time," she said.

Ashby also said the system had been very convenient.

"The system worked out great. The chapters found it to be easier as well as the members," she said.

After the new members received their bids, they ran onto the HUB-Robeson Center lawn to meet with members of their sororities.

Regina Goloborodko (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said she felt much closer to the other members of the sorority.

"It's awesome! I'm happy to be here. I feel like I had a family waiting for me here," she said.

After the gathering on the lawn, the sororities went back to their respective suites to celebrate and to have pictures taken. GreekYearbook.com was the company hired to take group and candid photographs to commemorate Bid Day according to Harvis Kramer, national director of business development for the company.

He explained the photos of sororities would be taken tonight.

"The photos are put online and they purchase the pictures," he said.