Sorority recruitment videos - so this is a thing?

[AJL]

It's nearly 20 years since I went through fall recruitment at my university so I'm feeling very old right now.

From Jezebel (as per usual, don't forget your salt... but still.)

University of Alabama Sorority Deletes Viral Recruitment Video After Backlash



In advance of their annual Bid Day, in which prospective sorority members are told which sororities they’ve been accepted into, the University of Alabama’s Alpha Phi released a Bid video promoting their sorority, part of a longstanding tradition of sisterhood self-promotion. Dubbed by Total Frat Move as “a nuke on the recruitment game,” the video—which features mostly blonde young women frolicking around campus looking beautiful and having fun—received widespread attention, and then criticism, prompting the video to be deleted, and the women to shut down their social media presence.

The video was viewed over 500,000 times in a week, gaining more traction once it was picked up by The Daily Mail and other sources, before it appears to have been removed sometime Sunday. Prior to Saturday’s Bid Day, on Friday, guest contributor A.L. Bailey wrote an op-ed for AL.com, lambasting Alpha Phi for creating a video with “a clear sales pitch: beauty, sexuality, and a specific look above all. They’re selling themselves on looks alone, as a commodity. Sadly, commodities don’t tend to command much respect.”

Bailey only lightly touched on the diversity issues that have famously plagued the University of Alabama’s sororities in the past few years, writing, “Are they recruiting a diverse and talented group of young women embarking on a college education? Upon first or even fifth glance, probably not.” Though the video was pulled from YouTube by the sorority, it’s been uploaded by other users (you can view it above). Alpha Phi has also made both their Facebook page and Instagram feed private, and removed their Twitter account and (previously praised) Tumblr.

On Saturday, Alabama’s Associate Vice President for University of Relations Deborah Lane released a statement politely condemning the video:

This video is not reflective of UA’s expectations for student organizations to be responsible digital citizens. It is important for student organizations to remember what is posted on social media makes a difference, today and tomorrow, on how they are viewed and perceived.
Alpha Phi wasn’t singled out specifically in the original Crimson White story from two years ago that re-upped attention to the homogeneity of Alabama’s sororities, but the social media presences of all sororities at the school have been carefully watched; one woman was kicked out Chi Omega last year for her decision to post a tasteless, racist Snapchat.

How diverse did Bid Day end up being? As AL.com reports, over 2,400 women participated, with 2,261 accepting bids, 214 of whom are minorities, according to the University. That compares to the 190 minorities who got bids last year. Update: In a press release, the University wrote:

Of the total number of women who accepted bids, 214 were minorities, a number that increased by nearly 13 percent. And, the number of African American students who received bids increased by 19 percent, to 25.
Additionally, “The University will no longer release a comprehensive list of pledges, a spokesperson citing ‘safety’ reasons said this week,” AL.com reported, a move in keeping with the school’s decision last year to limit “media access to rush organizers.”

[pixy0stix]

I just read an article about this. They all look so homogeneous. Do they all wear the same size clothing, too?

[ttt]

WAIT someone made a video of young attractive women using their attractiveness and youth to promote something??? OMG stop the presses!!!!

[ttt]

Seriously though, yeah they're all white and that's not exactly promoting diversity and welcoming, but apart from that, what's the big deal here? I don't get it.

[elleblue]

According to their own website link of the 36,000 students at UA in 2014, 12% were African American. That does indicate that this sorority is probably more homogeneous than it need be, but I'm not sure it's something to get completely up in arms over. Presumably part (half?) of that 12% wouldn't be qualified to join by virtue of being male. 

[atlas]

My university's Greek system was fairly small so we didn't do this. But I was under the impression that most of the big SEC, PAC 12, Big 10, etc schools did this.

[bowies]

Videos were a thing when I rushed (approximately a million years ago...we got copies on VHS). It replaced the painful skit round that nobody liked. The quality has drastically improved in the years since but otherwise I don't see why this is news?

[heyjude]

Aug 17, 2015 15:46:14 GMT -5 ttt said:

Seriously though, yeah they're all white and that's not exactly promoting diversity and welcoming, but apart from that, what's the big deal here? I don't get it.

This is what I was thinking. What am I missing? The

[shortstax]

Let me tell you how I know all about this trend

here is someone else out there who has my same name and somehow I get her gmail a lot. She's on the alumni board for her SEC sorority and I've gotten all the "recruitment" emails over the past month. This includes how they will do appearance inspection of their chapter, thoughts on bright non-natural color lipsticks that are currently "on trend", that someone in the "sweetheart suite" needs to rearrange her furniture, how a coffee table was broken during a recruitment prep event (dancing related, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT!) and we need to get a quote from our interior designer for a replacement ASAP, etc.

It's really the most entertaining reading for this independent yankee.

Fun fact: she's also on the board of her local junior league. I get those emails on occasion too!

[ChillyMcFreeze]

That's the longest Calvin Klein commercial I've ever seen.

[decemberwedding07]

Are we sure this isn't a promotional video for a clone farm? I have secondhand embarrassment for them.

[expatpumpkin]

Aug 17, 2015 15:59:38 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Aug 17, 2015 15:46:14 GMT -5 ttt said:

Seriously though, yeah they're all white and that's not exactly promoting diversity and welcoming, but apart from that, what's the big deal here? I don't get it.

This is what I was thinking. What am I missing? The

Me three.

I never rushed, even though I went to a school with a huge Greek culture.  (I transferred in junior year from a women's college that had no sororities and I did a ton of study abroad, so no time for that.)  So I'm not a die hard sorority supporter...

But I don't get the big deal.  

[debatethis]

Aug 17, 2015 20:26:36 GMT -5 Catlawdy said:

Aug 17, 2015 16:07:16 GMT -5 shortstax said:

Let me tell you how I know all about this trend

here is someone else out there who has my same name and somehow I get her gmail a lot. She's on the alumni board for her SEC sorority and I've gotten all the "recruitment" emails over the past month. This includes how they will do appearance inspection of their chapter, thoughts on bright non-natural color lipsticks that are currently "on trend", that someone in the "sweetheart suite" needs to rearrange her furniture, how a coffee table was broken during a recruitment prep event (dancing related, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT!) and we need to get a quote from our interior designer for a replacement ASAP, etc.

It's really the most entertaining reading for this independent yankee.

Fun fact: she's also on the board of her local junior league. I get those emails on occasion too!

I get gmail for a person i share a name with, but much more boring stuff - receipts, picture order confirmations.

This video reminds me of the safe for advertising bits of something like a playmate video.

I've gotten a few over the past couple years from an attorney for the state of Kentucky. She's accidentally sent me contracts, registration for her patient portal, added me to her grandma's colonoscopy prayer chain and yes, even sorority junk. It's getting really old.

[UMaineTeach]

unless it comes out that the fatties and blacks weren't allowed in the video I don't see the big deal. they could review minority recruitment, but in the meantime, they have to work with what they have.

[ttt]

Aug 17, 2015 21:37:31 GMT -5 debatethis said:

Aug 17, 2015 20:26:36 GMT -5 Catlawdy said:

I get gmail for a person i share a name with, but much more boring stuff - receipts, picture order confirmations.

This video reminds me of the safe for advertising bits of something like a playmate video.

I've gotten a few over the past couple years from an attorney for the state of Kentucky. She's accidentally sent me contracts, registration for her patient portal, added me to her grandma's colonoscopy prayer chain and yes, even sorority junk. It's getting really old.

Why do people do this?? I don't understand how they haven't figured out that THIS IS NOT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! 

I got so sick of the person using my email that the last time I got her flight confirmation, I switched her seats to all middle seats. Serves you right. USE YOUR OWN EMAIL ADDRESS!!!

[ttt]

Aug 17, 2015 22:01:19 GMT -5 Catlawdy said:

Aug 17, 2015 21:37:31 GMT -5 debatethis said:

I've gotten a few over the past couple years from an attorney for the state of Kentucky. She's accidentally sent me contracts, registration for her patient portal, added me to her grandma's colonoscopy prayer chain and yes, even sorority junk. It's getting really old.

The Walgreens ones confirming her picture orders stopped after i emailed her (i have her email address bc I once received am email with her full address and number and called her) to say i was going to start cancelling her pictures. Not sure if it was that or telling Walgreens I'd take my $$ prescriptions elsewhere if they didn't take my email off her account.

The last thing i got was an emailed receipt from a store in the mall. I had to call the store to verify it wasn't fraud. It's annoying.

In case you think I'm nuts for calling, it was the first time there was a mixup and i was trying to verify wtf was going on.

I don't think you're nuts - I would call my alter ego if I knew how to get in touch with her!! 

[shortstax]

Aug 17, 2015 21:46:19 GMT -5 @cookiemonster03 said:

Never let them know shortstax. Those emails must be gold.

Never!

I actually did tell her about 5 years ago when her law school started hitting me up for donations via their alumni email. No response, so I blocked those emails but kept the good ones coming.  

[bowies]

My maiden name is really common and I've run into 4 others with my name. Once was, wait for it, during sorority rush. It's weird talking to yourself. (I didn't get invited back to that house.)

[aprilsails]

Aug 17, 2015 16:07:16 GMT -5 shortstax said:

Let me tell you how I know all about this trend

here is someone else out there who has my same name and somehow I get her gmail a lot. She's on the alumni board for her SEC sorority and I've gotten all the "recruitment" emails over the past month. This includes how they will do appearance inspection of their chapter, thoughts on bright non-natural color lipsticks that are currently "on trend", that someone in the "sweetheart suite" needs to rearrange her furniture, how a coffee table was broken during a recruitment prep event (dancing related, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT!) and we need to get a quote from our interior designer for a replacement ASAP, etc.

It's really the most entertaining reading for this independent yankee.

Fun fact: she's also on the board of her local junior league. I get those emails on occasion too!

Ooooh fun! My email namesake runs the activity community for an RV park retirement community in the Gulf Coast area of Florida.

I get emails discussing plans and decorations for Halloween socials (How many kids will show up? Do we need candy?), Fourth of July party (Fireworks budget!), and discussions on how to make Christmas celebrations more inclusive and how many residents will be there.

It's thrilling stuff!  Took me over a year of replying to each and every email to finally get them to correct the email address.

I only did that since I felt bad when other committee members would email her (me) directly asking why she (I) hadn't responded!

[sfy]

Aug 17, 2015 15:56:47 GMT -5 elleblue said:

According to their own website link of the 36,000 students at UA in 2014, 12% were African American. That does indicate that this sorority is probably more homogeneous than it need be, but I'm not sure it's something to get completely up in arms over. Presumably part (half?) of that 12% wouldn't be qualified to join by virtue of being male. 

That's just about the number of AAs in the US, though, so I don't really see how their population is any different.  Their diversity issues are bigger than just not having AA women anyway--I don't see anyone who isn't white in this group...hell, I don't see anyone who's even slightly chubby in that video.  Still, it doesn't sound like the lack of diversity is really the issue anyway, since that was referred as only being "lightly touched" upon.  Most AA young women who are interested in sororities tend to pledge BGLOs anyway (I've literally read about more AA women pledging predominantly white sororities on The Nest and GBCN than I've ever actually met in my entire life).  I won't even touch on the fuckery that is GLO life at U of Alabama.  Anyway, the bigger issue I see is the complete lack of substance in this Skinemax flick they're trying to pass off as a recruitment video.  How dreadful.

[tres3]

this was just two years ago at Alabama www.nytimes.com/2013/09/13/us/sorority-exposes-its-rejection-of-black-candidate.html



rowtie

[tres3]

Also worth noting that while blacks make up roughly 12% of US population they are over one quarter of the population in Alabama. 26.2% according to census

[sfy]

Aug 18, 2015 10:31:10 GMT -5 tres3 said:

Also worth noting that while blacks make up roughly 12% of US population they are over one quarter of the population in Alabama. 26.2% according to census

Well, that explains why there are such a relatively large number of AA students attending a predominantly white state flagship (I guess that is redundant lol) university.  I doubt most similar universities have an AA population that reflects the US AA population.  In my state, it's less than 8%.  In the state I'm from, it's less than 6%.  So, that's all the more reason why their GLOs should/could have more diversity, but we are talking about the University of Alabama.  When their recruitment letters came to my house, I threw them right in the trash.  No way in hell.

[decemberwedding07]

Is this a good place to mention that my sister was kicked out of her sorority for development reasons (they claimed there were nude pictures of her on the Internet, or something, but declined to show any of them to her) two days after she took her black boyfriend to a party?

[ttt]

I can absolutely understand criticisms that sororities, especially there, have a troubling lack of diversity. But that's hardly specific to this particular sorority, and it doesn't even seem like that's the primary criticism of the video. I mean yeah, it's kind of dumb but I'm baffled as to why it's made national news and what's so "controversial" about it.

[orangello]

Yeah, I don't get the uproar here. This is totally the ideal of what a bunch of 19/20 year old sorority girls think would make a good recruitment video. The whole T & A outcry is ridiculous - this is a video made to encourage other women to join this particular sorority, and none of these outfits seem particularly scandalous. It gets dangerously close to telling these girls to stop dressing like harlots and go put on a twinset, and I am super uncomfortable with that. They are at the lake FFS - what are they supposed to be wearing if not bikinis?

On the other hand, this is SUCH a lame video, and my god, they must have gotten a discount on crappy bleach jobs.

[sfy]

Aug 18, 2015 10:55:37 GMT -5 ttt said:

I can absolutely understand criticisms that sororities, especially there, have a troubling lack of diversity. But that's hardly specific to this particular sorority, and it doesn't even seem like that's the primary criticism of the video. I mean yeah, it's kind of dumb but I'm baffled as to why it's made national news and what's so "controversial" about it.

To be clear, the lack of diversity doesn't bother me at all.  Personally, I side eye the hell out of an AA parent who would allow their child to pledge a predominantly white Greek organization at U of Alabama, and the child, too.  I think it's controversial, because to me--and I do realize that non-BGLOs are not the same as BGLOs, which are true lifetime commitments, not just another activity which often ends at graduation--pledging is meant to be more substantive than bouncing around like a wannabe video model.  It's supposed to be about scholarship, friendship and service.  This video looks like something that was made to attract men.  It reminds me of girls who go out and kiss girls, not because they want to, but because they think guys find it hot.  I find it sad that women in college who are trying to recruit quality young women to their organization think this is the way to do it.  A hot mess.

[tres3]

A friend posted it a few days ago and honestly I think it was more for a male audience than recruiting actual freshman. I also commented I wouldn't want to live in that house because the showers must be gross with all that hair.