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\paragraph{What's a bid and how do I accept it?}

A bid is an invitation to live at \pika. You can accept your bid (called
"pledging") anytime after {\em 10am Monday.} \pika\ bids are good forever.
Pledging is very easy---on the sign-in sheet, next to your name, write in big,
bold, colorful letters: PLEDGE. You don't have to be going someplace, or
coming back... you can walk up to the front desk whenever you feel like it.
After this you no longer have to sign in and out when you go places.

It is important that you don't tell other freshmen that you have a bid
because they may not have one.   You can certainly tell house members and
alumni, but they already know.  Ask all the questions you want.

\paragraph{House Stuff}

This is our one opportunity to put \pika\ obligations in writing... so here
goes.

There is no seniority at \pika.  Everyone living in the house (specifically
including freshmen) has the same rights, responsibilities, and duties as
everyone else.

\noindent Your obligations are mostly as follows:

\begin{description}
\item{{\bf House Duty}}  Cleanup/maintenance-ish, a few hours a week.
\item{{\bf Kitchen Duty}} Approximately once a week (a few hours) of cooking or
cleaning for dinner
\item{{\bf Work Weekend}} Up to one weekend each term (the house managers decide.)
Spring cleaning and things along that line.
\item{{\bf Work Week}} When we spiff up the place after the summer.  It is one of
the few requirements on your time that is extened and inflexible.  (This does
not mean it can't be fun!)
\item{{\bf Rush}} The time when the freshmen come.  You are required to be at
\pika\ during rush basically all the time, because this is the time we
will invite the people you will be living with for the next year.  You
do not have to actively participate in rush, but should be available
so that the freshmen can get to know you.
\item{{\bf Retreat}} When we all get together and talk the big things out.  It
takes most of a spring weekend and we do it out in the country
usually.
\end{description}
Retreat, work week, and rush are the most important commitments to \pika.  If
you anticipate having problems attending them, you need to talk to the house
and explain your situation.

Sometime soon you should find and talk with Heather and Clint.  Heather will
tell you more about house-manager-stuff and retreat (She's an experienced
house manager.) and Clint will explain how things work in the kitchen as our
veteran kitchen manager.  This is just to insure that you understand the
commitment involved.

\paragraph{Other Stuff}

\begin{description}
\item{{\bf Housemeetings}} Usually the evening before each school week starts
(Sunday most weeks).  Everyone gets to speak (if they want to) and vote.  The
housemeeting can decide anything, and though not mandatory, everyone is
strongly encouraged to go.
\item{{\bf Bills}} Last term's bill, which covers room and board completely,
was about \$1600.  We will vote on this term's {\em after} rush when
everything's calm(er).  In addition to the housebill, the house
collects a one-time \$100 deposit to cover leftover phone bills and
such when you leave.  A promissory note is due at the end of the first
week (unless of course you pay by then); the bill (including deposit)
is due by the third week of the term, and we award a small rebate for
early payment.
\end{description}

If you have any questions ask anyone who lives here or has lived here
and they'll give you different answers, so take the average.  We don't
want you to get any unpleasant surprises, we can usually work out any
difficulties, and we like talking to you!

Have a great time whatever you do, and we really do hope you decide to
live at \pika.


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