By Amber Louis
TAMPA, Fla. –– College Panhellenic Association (CPA) recruitment for the fall semester takes place annually at the University of Tampa, accepting new members into the 8 sorority chapters offered. Despite a lack of on-campus sorority housing for students, Greek life remains blatantly popular, especially this season. There are 955 potential new members (PNM’s) this fall, according to Denise Curran, an admin of the UTampa ‘Parents of Greeks’ Facebook page.
Given that UTampa has yet again accepted another record-breaking number of freshmen to the institution — 3,400 according to a recent ut.edu article — this rise of recruits is not too much of a surprise. However, the question arises: Is rushing this season just a trend?
“Rushtok” is a side of the internet that showcases and promotes the CPA recruitment process. It highlights precisely themed outfits, dance routines, and has even tied digital marketing to companies like Sephora and Poppi with partnered giveaways and sponsorship deals with the chapters.
“Girls will see Rushtok, and they want to rush, but they have no idea what they’re getting into,” said Arya Vyas, a freshman at UTampa who dropped out of her recruitment process.
SEC schools such as the University of Alabama, the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and the University of Mississippi tend to be the most popular among TikTok videos featuring various Panhellenic houses dolled up and decorated in themes to the women’s outfits. These schools have been notorious for their students’ dedication to Greek life, which has become more prominent in schools across the country.
“Rushtok” also tends to be the side of the internet that unveils a PNM’s heartbreak when they were not offered a bid to their desired chapter. Lately, the recruitment process has seemed to shift from the idea of philanthropy and the establishment of sisterhood and turn to a new face of fashion frenzy, competitions, and Instagram posts that might ‘blow up.’
The dominance of social media’s influence on the recruitment process this year seems to be tied to UTampa’s student body. Between the buzz in elevator rides and new friend introductions, the status of a freshman student’s thoughts on their recruitment process typically revolves around the short phrases “I’m exhausted” or “I dropped.”
While the social aspects and conversations typically fuel the purpose of the chapter’s selections to whom they give out their bids, PNMs put their utmost effort to wear the best outfit and look their finest in hopes of getting a bid. The burnout follows.
In addition to building so-called lifelong friendships, raising money for respective philanthropy missions, and having a sense of belonging in a new environment, Greek life seems to have taken a twist in recent months, thanks to social media. Though that’s not to go without saying, some young women have an excellent experience in their recruitment process and membership in their respective chapters.
“I think girls who are compassionate for others are the girls who should rush, whether it’s [for] the sisters you make or being involved in your philanthropy. That’s the true meaning that hasn’t been expressed correctly,” said Vya.
Discrepancy in Panhellenic values arises from what seems to be buried under the expectations of a TikTok trend and a For You Page feature.
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Photo courtesy of Lexi Smith.