I'm clueless. You'd better tell me!

Every time I see a young woman in a "revealing" outfit. I'm tempted to think critically of them. But then I stop myself and think that if I had her figure, I would probably wear what she's wearing.

Gotta go film myself blowing glitter in slow motion.

The fact that they are all almost indistinguishable is what bothers me - I don't know that they are therefore very effective. If you cannot tell the difference without seeing the letters, well, you haven't done much in promoting what makes your chapter different.

That said, Gamma Phi Beta videos are the best. ;)

There is zero lingerie in this video and honestly that is not a fair nor accurate statement.

Yes the video is similar to AZ (maybe they meet AZ girls at a conference?? or looked on you tube to see other chapter's video's who knows) The video is also comparable to other groups at Alabama as many seems to have a similar vibe, dress, dancing, pool, intro view around the chapter house etc.

The chapter posted the video right around the same time as other chapters at Bama so they did not post it early to 'get ahead' simply it seems like the campus norm to post shortly before recruitment starts.

So why all the chatter and catty comments? Because the video went viral. That was not within the chapter's control. I don't think when they filmed it (which had to be last spring) they could not know that having an athlete who had a terrible injury in Dec. would cause such interest. Sports sites picked it up and off it went.

Bama recruitment will be over soon enough and perhaps everyone will find a new target to point the flame throwers at....

I keep wanting to see the out takes where you can be sure glitter ends up in someone's mouth....

So, out of curiosity, what happens during recruitment without skit and video? What other options do we think there are?

You are right about lingerie -- I stand corrected. It is fair to say they did up the ante with significantly more bikini scenes and intentional booty shots (like the one going up the stairs, with the flag, snapping the ball, etc).

Thankfully most chapters at Bama don't have a "recruitment" video on youtube.

No one said they posted it early to "get ahead." Posting a video like this actually isn't "the campus norm."

Did you attend Bama?

How about talking?

I think that skits and slideshows/videos started with an admirable purpose - to give the PNMs and/or the sisters a chance to sit down and relax for a few minutes - but they've ballooned into having way more weight than they should where time and preparation are concerned.

And who can forget this "campus norm" video . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7A7oR5ZS8Y

Then there are these, which rather point to it not being outside the campus norm to have a video. I'd also like to know how many have videos that perhaps they do not post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eKsCs3uFLw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NEmsoCKkRc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpcl403tOAc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ41sevtlD4

I really think skits and videos are the height of dumb and useless. They are usually pretty badly done, or they aren't and cost a fortune, and they end up cutting into time you could spend getting to know the chapter/PNMs.

That being said, a lot of people have some really big sticks up their butts about this video. From the talk here I was expecting something awful, but it's exactly what's on social media everywhere.

I think the looking down the noses is making the lookers look worse than the video.

After that Panhel video, videos should have been outlawed!

When videos are outlawed, only outlaws will have videos.

As hype makers, I think the recruitment videos are doing a fine job. They give the sorority national cachet and bigger popularity. And you know teenage girls love being in a "popular group" and being popular by association. But I agree, they're all quite superficial - but fun to watch!

Something that I think would be better to replace them would be Bid Day videos. I actually quite enjoy watching those from last year over pre-recruitment videos because they're pretty different from sorority to sorority. Plus, they show what "really" happens as opposed to something scripted and edited. And because most people have some kind of theme, they're all slightly different, not just the "hey, I'm jumping up and down to music," and you can really see the joy in the faces of the PNMs. Albeit, some videos can be a little raunchy (FSU DG comes to mind), I think it much better portrays sororities than the type we're talking about currently.

Once more, you slay with your wit. :D

I wouldn't feel comfortable in that video but I think it's pretty typical of what university aged peoples do nowadays! My only qualm is that I learned exactly NOTHING from this video. I prefer some interviews/speech in videos, but even if you want to skip that, I think it would be more useful to have shots of different activities. Philanthropy events, bid day, exchanges, intramurals, what have you- just something to inform the viewer of what it is you do as a chapter. However, if it's the style of the campus I suppose that is how it goes!

Well, then, allow me to to show you bid day at Alabama with my older and younger daughter. Leah is the sister in the black dress running with the letter to the right as they leave the stadium. Becca is the new member coming along near the rear of the pack, khaki shorts and a striped tank top. Totally unscripted and really happened. ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yrQBJuglvM

I hope Bama sorority T&A recruitment vids don't become the campus norm -- they aren't now.

The ChiO video you linked above is more representative of what I would expect of a recruitment video. It includes many members, actual events they participated in, and a range of activities and interests. Lots of real girls doing real things in their real clothes -- not the same 10 girls shot in various levels of contrived skimpiness doing nothing whatsoever related to chapter membership.

I don't expect the Chi O vid will find itself in any headline about a "hot sorority video."

A few of the other vids do include the nonsensical fluff and too many bikinis though.

[QUOTE=Hartofsec;2325322]I disagree -- this is a recruitment video the chapter intentionally uploaded at the beginning of recruitment, for the purpose of being talked about during recruitment, not a rumor or reputation whispered 'round the corner by PNMs.

Alpha Phi's video was uploaded Aug 7

Other chapter's who 2015 is also currently visible on you tube
Zeta - July 26
Gamma Phi - July 30th - time lapse of house construction (not recruitment but a video with marketing intent)
Chi Omega - Aug 2
Delta Gamma - Aug 4 (it is a video of their winning Greek Sign performance but since the event occurred in March I think it was posted now for marketing purposes)
Pi Phi - Aug 5
AXO - Aug 7
ADPi - Aug 7
Phi Mu - Aug 9
Delta Zeta - Aug 9

That is 10 chapters (8 depending on how you consider Gamma Phi & DG) that I found quickly searching You Tube.

I did not go to Bama, nor have I ever worked with the chapter there.

Hartsofsec, why do you like to look down on others and judge them as being inferior to you and your perceived moral high ground?

Alpha Phi has a professionally-shot video (same person) from last fall's bid day -- it's awesome. And real.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aORDuaizzDs

Great video. As someone who has attended squeal day at Alabama many times, I agree with Hartofsec ... this is what really happens!

[QUOTE=Aphigal;2325416]BOOM

It's certainly not the Alpha Omicron Pi norm.

I didn't check them all -- but that's no more than 7 since Gamma Phi, DG, and Alpha Chi are of other (actual) events. Now count up the 2014 "recruitment" vids for us, since you are bent on establishing "the campus norm" at Bama.

I don't have a problem with sororities marketing themselves -- there are plenty of vids of events, houses, bid days, etc. I don't care when these are uploaded. But anything approaching what Alpha Phi uploaded for "recruitment" is not the campus norm.

I do have a problem when the marketing intentionally extends and confirms negative stereotypes about sorority women, especially on my campus. We don't need it. No Greek women need it.

The only stereotyping is you...of Alpha Phi at Bama.

I realize recruitment season brings out the the ugly but bless your heart you really you are going for it with gusto at Alpha Phi.

Stop being a bully.

What EXACTLY are the negative stereotype that you perceive here? Women who are dressed up, wearing makeup and are wearing on-trend clothing and are also wearing bikinis? Or is it the jumping up and down and movement of their breasts?

Here are a few other videos from campuses and other sororities, that have much of the same aspects. Some feature the young women speaking, some don't. But if it is the attire you object to, than you need to think long and hard about your stance... they are joining a sorority, not a nunnery.

Please make sure to turn out the lights when you leave the 1950s:


Zeta Tau Alpha (FSU)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GrdAAEbBw8

Delta Gamma (Minnesota)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMFvTyotNUk

Delta Delta Delta (Indiana)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2yRah9p1c

I have Hart on "ignore", but am enjoying (sort of, not really) the QFPs. I see that she hasn't changed her bully tactics.

*shrug*

TIME OUT!!!

Sorry, did my anatomically correct term offend you?

Skinny blonde WASPs preoccupied mostly with looking good who support African Americans on the football team, but not as members in their orgs, for one.

^That one is relevant to this campus.

I just don't consider that much of an explanation or defense -- tu quoque fallacy.

Okdin ... if y'all won't go to bed, I will.

Sometimes it is best to let time and entropy do it's thing.

You have zero insight into their membership selection and what they are seeking behind closed doors... for all we know they wanted every minority who went through recruitment, and those women chose to go elsewhere. Featuring SOME women who are blonde doesn't equal racism or discrimination. However, it would seem to me that you are very happy jumping to conclusions and judging these women on three minutes of video you saw on YouTube.

IMHO, this is a really well done video. It was obviously professionally made. The women are beautiful and none of them are dressed inappropriately. Bikinis haven't been scandalous in the South since the 1950s. They looked like they were having fun and showed school spirit ( gag, Bama!). I hope they have a great recruitment.

I haven't claimed to have any insight into their membership -- I very much doubt they intend to attract only girls like those depicted in the video.

It is the depiction of a stereotype I object to -- I am not judging them to be the stereotype.

If you love the video, you are certainly entitled to love it and express your opinion. I don't even mind if you disagree with my opinion. Relax. :)

I've read the whole thread and dismayed by the snark and snide of HartofSEC directed at Alpha Phi especially in the earlier posts. A bully, indeed.

She is the epitome of every negative stereotype of a Southern woman. Bless her heart.

I assume you are referring to my question regarding "where is the oversight," and I guess you just answered it. Glad you joined the forum to participate in the thread.

Do you advise the Bama Alpha Phi chapter? What level of review and approval is required prior to production and publication of a recruitment video? And what are your thoughts on this video?

FTR, my objection is with the video, not the chapter members or Alpha Phi in general.

Children --

As a mom coming here for information about recruitment, reading bickering back and forth (this isn't the only thread, just most recently) makes me want to tell her RUN! Withdraw Now! RUN! I hope someone will delete this thread. And I'm talking about the comments from people, not the video.

While I agree that there are unpleasant aspects to the back-and-forth regarding the video, threatening to pull your daughter from recruitment upon finding that there are unpleasant members in sororities is a bit . . .hyperbolic. Sororities are made up of fallible human beings, who sometimes are not as noble as they should be. If that is a problem which your daughter cannot handle, yes, please, advise her to pull out of recruitment.

Does the video infringe on some Bama panhellenic or a NPC regulation? Was there a posting date violation? Dress requirement? Content requirement? They weren't dissing any other sororities.

So it's not what you would have done? So what? The chapter made the video to celebrate and "show off" their sisterhood. If the PNMs like it, it was a success. If they react to it as Hart did, then they failed. This type of video seems to be the trend. And I am the incredibly gorgeous tall, leggy, nubile drink of water in the FSU Zeta video whose breasts are bouncing up and down. Oh wait, that's all of them. And by the way, They are real and they are spectacular!