



Each of UF’s seventeen Panhellenic Council sororities welcomed about 75 new members Sunday night in a flurry of hugs, tears and joyful celebration. About 1,400 women got bids, UF Panhellenic Council President Madison Rigdon said in an email. In 2017, a similar number of women recieved bids according to Alligator archives. About 1,600 women signed up for rush, which is similar to the number that has taken part in past years. Rigdon said this year there’s been a push by both UF’s Panhellenic Council and the National Panhellenic Council to focus on the values of individual chapters by allowing more time for conversation between the women rushing and the existing members.
The First Annual Great Pumpkin Bash
Oct. 12Gainesville's first Great Pumpkin Bash attracted about 200 visitors of all ages on Oct. 11. Families walked around the plaza, pushing strollers and walking dogs. Vendors sold food, drinks and clothes, while tablers offered information about their organizations. The inaugural fall festival also featured face painting, a scavenger hunt and musical chairs with polka renditions of pop songs.