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From Pullman "cow pie & sagebrush" WA comes this revolutionary idea. The largest computer club at Washington State University is honest in their motives for holding a "nerd auction", even if response has not been overwhelming as of yet.
The idea began as a way to recruit more women into computer science programs. As with the rest of the country, the number of women in computer programs is at an all time low.
A public relations class decided to help by studying the social dynamics of the Linux group. Their conclusion was that they need to present themselves better, then specific ideas were presented to them." Said professor Moon Lee. The conclusion was that sororities have excellent social networks. Ben Ford, president of the Linux Users Group was skeptical when presented with the idea of having socials with the sororities. In fact, he is quoted as having thought it was a joke.
Ben Ford admitted that some of the group’s 213 registered members might not be ready for the auction block." The problem is that we’re all still nerds."
A flash of inspiration came to Ford in the (cold?) shower. Ford, who has an undergraduate degree in computer science and is pursuing a master’s in business management now has a plan. He stated, "We’ll choose a handful of brave nerds to take one for the team." "The girls get to have their way with them, and we’ll document each makeover." Pause for writer to cringe. Ford continued, "We’ll make a snazzy video and show it over dinner. After the dinner, we’ll auction off the now studly nerds," a hopeful Ford wrote.
"You can buy a nerd and he’ll fix your computer, help you with stats homework, or if you’re really adventurous, take you to dinner!" All the intrepid Unix group needs now is a sorority willing to cooperate in the nerd make-overs. The auction would be open to the student body. So far no sororities have committed to do the makeovers, no doubt having all of the computer help they need.
I wish Ford and his 213 member strong nerd force well. It is sounding like a very scary reality TV show to this writer. Sororities might not be the best gaggle of women to tap for this makeover, but I’m not a public relations professor. Nerd Auction, Of Human Bondage and Makeovers