Greek life tradition, built from nearly two centuries of the secret societies, offer a home to more than 9 million students nationwide. Historically, these institutions offer opportunities to members and enhance a student’s collegiate experience. Sororities and fraternities have created an impact on universities across the country, and no school knows this better than the University of Alabama (UA).
The university famous for its football trophies has received national attention for its reputation for sorority recruitment. I experienced rush first-hand, and while I was overjoyed to accept a bid from Alpha Delta Pi sorority, I can still remember the rumors that our all-girls dorm was on ‘suicide watch’ the night before bid day.
This past fall, sorority recruitment received national attention when African-American rushees were rejected from traditionally white sororities. The controversy over racial segregation in Greek life continued when Alabama Circuit Judge John England, Jr. appealed to the Panhellenic council after his step granddaughter — also the stepdaughter of state Rep. Christopher England (D-Ala.) — was not invited to pledge by any of the 16 campus sororities.
Students cried that it was not them, but pressure from alumnae and advisors, which prevented them from accepting black students.
Students also rallied around the cause to open up the sororities. One student from the university, Josh Sigler, wrote a response titled “Everyone Thinks I’m a Racist (And Why That’s OK with Me),” arguing that while the sorority issue may have harmed his school’s reputation, “If I have to look like a racist jerk for going to school here to see a bigoted generation finally lose the power it has had, then I’m prepared to take it.”
Following national debate over the matter, UA president Judy Bonner released a video to address the school, announcing the implementation of an ‘open bidding’ for sororities.
“This campus will be a place for inclusion and opportunity for all,” she said. “We will continue to make progress. We will do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way. Thank you for your willingness to support positive change in a positive way.”
Bonner stated that since the implementation of open bidding, sororities had offered 72 bids — 11 to black women and three to minorities. “Six of the 14 bids have been accepted — four by black women, and two by minority women — and other bids are currently being considered,” according to a Sept. 20 story on AL.com.
Wherever the blame falls — alumnae, donors, Greek members, school administration — the positive is that current students are breaking racial barriers and sororities are accepting members regardless of their skin color.
After 50 years, segregation still echoes in aspects of Southern culture, but the progress moving forward is a step in the right direction.
