Although anonymous social media platforms are a concern among members of TCU Panhellenic, the university’s largest Greek organization, a majority of Panhellenic delegates rejected a measure that would have banned their use during the formal recruitment process. 

Social media platforms, such as YikYak or GreekRank, allow users to post while remaining anonymous.

During formal sorority recruitment each fall, the conversations on these apps are heavily centered around Greek organizations and are often negative, according to critics. 

“One delegate came to me and said how detrimental they were to their chapter’s recruitment process,” said sophomore finance and political science double major Abigail Hoffmann, vice president of management for TCU Panhellenic.

Hoffman said that anonymous social media platforms are damaging to the formal recruitment process because of their inaccuracy.

Incoming potential new members have no frame of reference on any chapter, so any information they get, whether true or false, impacts their decision.

The proposed bylaw, which prohibits the use of anonymous social media platforms during the formal recruitment process, was shut down by the Panhellenic chapter delegates. Panhellenic officials shared that bylaws require a two-thirds majority vote to pass. This bylaw did not receive the required eight votes during its three-week voting process, officials said. 

Week one is used for chapters to review the proposed bylaw with their respective executive teams. 

Week two is held for chapter delegate discussion. Delegates bring up strengths and concerns of the proposed bylaw and finish gathering their thoughts and opinions. 

Week three is for the chapters to vote.

Panhellenic chapter delegates were concerned that the proposed bylaw could affect freedom of speech, be difficult to enforce, and that people could be wary of Panhellenic executives and their operations. 

“[GreekRank] gave me a skewed view of what the Panhellenic organizations here were like. It was definitely super problematic when I was going through the recruitment process,” said sophomore criminal justice major Sophia Smith, vice president of chapter relations and standards for TCU’s chapter of Alpha Chi Omega. 

Posts on these sites surrounding Greek life are usually opinionated in favor of one chapter over another. Posts range from calling out chapters individually to stereotypes of different chapters – all of which can influence those who have no prior knowledge.

“People who hate certain chapters can say whatever they want,” Smith said. “You’re giving an opinion of something you don’t like, but others may like it. I think it should be super far removed.”

While some posts can be harmless, many can be hurtful to TCU communities and their members.

Panhellenic officials are working to find a way to make a change and educate people about the issue without a formal bylaw.