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The mothers of a transgender #BamaRush star has revealed that the University of Alabama tried to ban its students from posting videos and speaking out about its rush process online out of fear that the college might look bad – as recruitment for this year’s pledges comes to an end.
Last summer, a series of women who were trying to join the University of Alabama’s Panhellenic community documented their attempts to be accepted into one of the 18 different sororities at the school, and uploaded it all to TikTok.
Their videos quickly exploded, and many people on the web became enthralled with watching the lengthy process play out; there’s four rounds of events that span across two weeks, and hundreds of thousands of viewers observed every step of the way in what became a viral phenomenon that quickly swept social media last August.
And while many people anticipated #BamaRush to take over TikTok once again this year, social media users were quick to notice that the women attempting to join the school’s sorority houses remained much more discreet this time around.
The mom of a transgender #BamaRush star revealed the University of Alabama tried to ban students from posting videos about its rush process out of fear that the college might look bad – as recruitment for this year’s pledges comes to an end
Last summer, a series of women who were trying to join the University of Alabama’s Panhellenic community documented their attempts to be accepted into one of the 18 different sororities at the school, and uploaded it all to TikTok
While many people anticipated #BamaRush to take over TikTok again this year, users noticed that the women attempting to join the school’s sorority houses remained much more discreet this time around. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
Now, DailyMail.com has learned that the school instructed its students – and even their parents – to not share videos from the events online. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
When DailyMail.com attempted to speak to some of the pledges about it, they revealed that they had been sworn to secrecy and couldn’t share any information out of fears of getting ‘blacklisted.’ Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
The mother of one student – a transgender woman named Grant Sikes (pictured) who gained a lot of traction on TikTok for sharing her #BamaRush journey – explained that they couldn’t speak about the process amid pressures from the school
While some have shared videos throughout rush week, there was a lot more secrecy surrounding the recruitment process this year – which kicked off on August 6 and came to close on August 14.
‘According to the Panhellenic, neither Grant nor I can make any statement at all, nothing,’ Grant’s mom, Lisa, said exclusively to DailyMail.com. Grant is pictured
Now, DailyMail.com has learned that the school instructed its students – and even their parents – to not share videos from the events online.
When DailyMail.com attempted to speak to some of the pledges about it, they revealed that they had been sworn to secrecy and couldn’t share any information out of fears of getting ‘blacklisted.’
The mother of one student – a transgender woman named Grant Sikes who gained a lot of traction online for sharing some of her #BamaRush journey on TikTok – explained that neither of them could speak about the process amid pressures from the school.
‘According to the Panhellenic, neither Grant nor I can make any statement at all, nothing,’ Grant’s mom, Lisa, said exclusively to DailyMail.com.
Grant, who has gained more than 113,000 followers on the platform, revealed that she had been cut from the program on Saturday; however, she didn’t specify why she had been denied from joining a sorority – leaving some to wonder if it was her speaking out about the process online that resulted in her removal.
‘I got a phone call this morning and I was cut. It is extremely upsetting, and I am sad because I wanted to be part of a sisterhood and more than that a community,’ she said on TikTok.
It’s believed that the university implemented the veil of privacy after the social media popularity brought a level of scrutiny to the sororities last year, with one unnamed Panhellenic executive admitting to DailyMail.com that the community was ‘getting more publicity’ than they wanted.
DailyMail.com has contacted the University of Alabama for comment.
Another student, who also asked to remain anonymous, explained that was she reluctant to divulge information due to fears that she would get ‘blacklisted.’
‘I cannot say anything about the positives or negatives about my Rush Week 2021 experience because I do not want to get blacklisted,’ she said.
Grant revealed she had been cut from the program on Saturday; however, she didn’t specify why she had been denied from joining a sorority – leaving some to wonder if it was her speaking out about the process online that resulted in her removal
It’s believed that the university implemented the veil of privacy after the social media popularity brought a level of scrutiny to the sororities last year. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
One unnamed Panhellenic executive admitting to DailyMail.com that the community was ‘getting more publicity’ than they wanted. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
Another student, who also asked to remain anonymous, explained that was she reluctant to divulge information due to fears that she would get ‘blacklisted.’ Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
Last year, many women shared a glimpse into Alabama’s rush process under the hashtag #BamaRush, and their videos quickly exploded
Many people on the web became enthralled with watching the lengthy process play out, as the aspiring sorority girls shared videos of themselves picking out their outfits, getting ready for the events, having fun, and dancing together
Hundreds of thousands of viewers observed every step of the way in what became a viral phenomenon that quickly swept social media last August
While some have shared videos throughout rush week, there was a lot more secrecy surrounding the recruitment process this year – which kicked off on August 6 and came to close on August 14
Despite the unwanted attention that #BamaRush brought in last year and the school’s attempt to keep it more under wraps this year, it didn’t seem to put a damper on the events. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
DailyMail.com captured photos of the pledges on Bid Day 2022 – which took place on Sunday. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
The first part of the University of Alabama’s rush process is known as Convocation Day, which is a chance for the new recruits to meet active members.
The women then take part in something called Philanthropy Day, which is when the potential members learn about each sorority’s various volunteer programs.
The third event is called Sisterhood Day, which allows the budding sorority girls to tour each sorority house. Pref Day comes next, and it’s when the girls get to chat with the members from the two sororities that they like the most.
And finally, the last day, is known as Bid Day, which is when the freshman are told whether or not they’ve been asked to join the houses.
Nearly 8,000 of the women who attend the University of Alabama are involved in the Panhellenic culture and the campus is home to over 18 sororities – which they call chapters – making it the most desired sorority school in the nation.
Many young women could be seen cheering, celebrating, and hugging, as they excitedly found out which sorority they had made it into. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
The ladies certainly seemed in high spirits as they ran out of the school’s stadium, having just found out which chapter they will be joining for the upcoming school year. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
Nearly 8,000 of the women who attend the University of Alabama are involved in the Panhellenic culture and the campus is home to over 18 sororities – which they call chapters. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
There’s four events that span over two weeks. The last day is known as Bid Day, which is when the freshman are told whether or not they’ve been asked to join the houses. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
While people enjoyed watching #BamaRush play out on TikTok last year, it garnered some backlash for the school after viewers noticed that almost everyone who was rushing appeared to be white. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
Back in 2013, The Crimson White reported that black students were not allowed to join the sororities, which resulted in the university coming under fierce fire. It then ordered that the chapters accept all races. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
However, according to The Crimson White the school’s sororities were still about 89 per cent white in 2021, down only five per cent from 2011. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
‘Joining a chapter makes this extremely large university a lot smaller and can become a great support system for you throughout your college career,’ the school’s Panhellenic community’s website reads.
‘Getting plugged in makes all the difference, and joining a chapter is the best way to find a home away from home.
‘Basically, you have an incredible four years ahead of you so why not start it off by going Greek!’
While people enjoyed watching #BamaRush play out on TikTok last year, it garnered some backlash for the school after viewers noticed that almost everyone who was rushing appeared to be white.
Back in 2013, The Crimson White reported that black students were not allowed to join the sororities, which resulted in the university coming under fierce fire. It then ordered that the chapters accept all races.
However, according to The Crimson White the school’s sororities were still about 89 per cent white in 2021, down only five per cent from 2011.
To help fight allegations of racism, the University is now reportedly requiring chapter members to complete diversity training in preparation for rush week. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
The University of Alabama’s sorority system was also slammed last year after it was brought to light that the average cost of fees for new member is $4,170 per semester, according to University data. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
‘Joining a chapter makes this extremely large university a lot smaller and can become a great support system for you throughout your college career,’ the school’s Panhellenic community’s website reads. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
The website continues: ‘Joining a chapter is the best way to find a home away from home. Basically, you have an incredible four years ahead of you so why not start it off by going Greek!’ Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
The first part of the University of Alabama’s rush process is known as Convocation Day, which is a chance for the new recruits to meet active members. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
The women then take part in something called Philanthropy Day, which is when the potential members learn about each sorority’s various volunteer programs. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
The third event is called Sisterhood Day, which allows the girls to tour each sorority house. Pref Day comes next, and it’s when the girls get to chat with the members from the two sororities that they like the most. Pledges are seen during Bid Day 2022
To help fight allegations of racism, the University is now reportedly requiring chapter members to complete diversity training in preparation for rush week.
The University of Alabama’s sorority system was also slammed last year after it was brought to light that the average cost of fees for new member is $4,170 per semester, according to University data.
Despite the unwanted attention that #BamaRush brought in last year and the school’s attempt to keep it more under wraps this year, it didn’t seem to put a damper on the events.
DailyMail.com captured photos of the pledges on Bid Day 2022 – which took place on Sunday; many young women could be seen cheering, celebrating, and hugging, as they excitedly found out which sorority they had made it into.
The ladies certainly seemed in high spirits as they ran out of the school’s stadium, having just found out which chapter they will be joining for the upcoming school year.