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Time of India
18 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
US students banned from posting about sorority rush as RushTok on TikTok turns toxic: Here's why Greek life is going offline
Sisters Kylan Darnell, 21, left, and Izzy Darnell, 19, pose for a photo on Aug. 14, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo) Sororities across the US are implementing strict social media bans during recruitment week, marking a significant shift from the viral TikTok phenomenon that once celebrated Greek life culture. Sororities are exclusive women's social organisations at American universities, typically founded on principles of sisterhood, academic achievement and community service, with membership considered a privilege that students must earn through a competitive selection process. The move comes after several high-profile cases where students faced severe online harassment following their participation in "RushTok" content. Kylan Darnell, who became an overnight celebrity through her University of Alabama sorority content four years ago, has stepped back from social media after experiencing mental health impacts from negative reactions to her posts, as reported by the Associated Press. The 21-year-old rising senior, who was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, previously embodied the RushTok movement that documented the week-long recruitment process. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Sororities cite harassment concerns Many sororities have issued de facto bans against speaking to press or posting on social media during rush week at Alabama, which hosts the nation's largest on-campus Greek life with nearly 13,000 participating students, according to the Associated Press. The measures are designed to protect prospects from harassment that has become increasingly common as the recruitment process, known as "rush," involves students trying out for sororities through rounds of activities with strict dress codes and etiquette requirements. Financial pressures of recruitment The recruitment process carries substantial financial commitments for participants. This week's 2,600 recruits each paid $550 to participate in a non-refundable fee structure, as reported by the Associated Press. Accepted members face average costs of $8,400 per semester to live in sorority houses, or $4,100 if residing elsewhere, according to the Alabama Panhellenic Association. Students often spend tens of thousands on outfits, makeup and travel expenses before even beginning the process. An entire consulting industry has emerged, with some services charging up to $10,000 for months of guidance beginning in high school, as students submit "social resumes" and letters of recommendation from sorority alumni. Social media influence and consequences Morgan Cadenhead, now 20, gained such a following through RushTok despite being dropped that she covered most of her tuition through social media income, the Associated Press reported. However, she faced significant online criticism for her comments about Greek life and now seeks offline employment opportunities. The marketing major was featured on Lifetime's "Sorority Mom's Guide to Rush!" programme. Lorie Stefaneli, a New York City-based consultant who works with students nationwide, told the Associated Press she serves as "literally a therapist" during rush week, taking calls at all hours. "I'm talking these girls down from a ledge," she said, as reported by the Associated Press. Strict posting policies implemented Multiple incoming freshmen confirmed to the Associated Press that they were explicitly prohibited from media interviews or rush-related social media posts. Darnell noted that selective "Old Row" houses automatically drop prospects who post content during recruitment. "Now a lot of girls just come to the university to be influencers," Darnell told the Associated Press. "It kind of gets in the way of sisterhood." Some students, including Darnell's 19-year-old sister Izzy, continue posting despite restrictions, generating millions of views within days whilst satisfying demand for content about the traditionally secretive process. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
The Hill
11-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump seizes control of DC Police
It's Monday. Who else is glued to TikTok for ' Bama Rush ' this week? Do you think social media star Izzy Darnell will get a bid? In today's issue: Trump deploys National Guard to DC DC police now under Bondi's control FBI patrolling Washington Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury files sealed Trump's upcoming Putin meeting Inside the Oreo-Reese's collab Should we change the name to 'Fort District of Columbia'?: President Trump is ramping up military presence in Washington to combat violence and crime in the city, announcing this morning that he will activate the National Guard in the nation's capital. 'Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people, and we're not going to let it happen anymore. We're not going to take it,' Trump said. The Metropolitan Police Department will now be under direct federal control, Trump said. That means Attorney General Pam Bondi will oversee the DC police department. 🔎 Check out this list of administration officials with multiple titles ^ Keep in mind about this police takeover: 'Trump must provide written notification to Congress within 48 hours outlining his rationale for taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department. The president can unilaterally control the department for up to 30 days, but Congress must approve any extension.' (The Hill) It's another Liberation Day: Trump declared today as 'Liberation Day D.C.,' not to be confused with his tariff 'Liberation Day' in April. What are the crime stats in DC?: 'Crime in D.C. was down 35 percent in 2024 from the previous year, marking a 30-year low. Data from the district shows violent crime is also down so far in 2025 compared with the previous year.' (The Hill) He turned to the journalists at the press conference: 'You people are victims of it, too. You're reporters and I understand a lot of you tend to be on the liberal side, but you don't want to get mugged and raped and shot and killed. And you all know people and friends of yours that that happened.' 💻 Watch Trump's press conference Timing: Last week, Trump mobilized federal law enforcement, including the FBI on night patrol in D.C., according to several news reports. The Washington Post reports that roughly 120 FBI agents have been deployed for overnight shifts to crack down on carjackings and violent crime in the capital. Trump's vision: Trump said his plan 'will not only involve ending the Crime, Murder, and Death in our Nation's Capital, but will also be about Cleanliness and the General Physical Renovation and Condition of our once beautiful and well maintained Capital,' he posted on Truth Social. 🔎 Read Trump's full post 📹 DEA officers patrolling the National Mall Tidbit: The briefing room was *packed* this morning. The Hill's Niall Stanage 📹 posted a video of reporters crowding the standing room. And in classic Trump press conference fashion, he veered off into other topics: He mentioned transgender people playing in sports: 'Nobody's ever come up to me. 'Sir, you have to let men play in women's sports.' … Nobody's ever approached me. I don't even know where this issue even comes from.' And touted his immigration policies: 'Nobody comes to our southern border anymore. Three months in a row, we've had zero. I don't know if that's right,' Trump said, arguing 'the people who do the work' estimated that figure. And bashed Democrats: 'They just got walloped in an election in a landslide and they haven't changed one thing.' Oops, I think he misspoke: Trump mentioned that he's 'going to Russia on Friday.' He is planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, but that meeting is in Alaska. Keep scrolling for more on that meeting. ⚖️ THE EPSTEIN CONTROVERSY We won't see the Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury files: 'A federal judge on Monday refused the Justice Department's request to unseal grand jury materials used to charge Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime accomplice of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein,' reports The Hill's Zach Schonfeld. Backstory: 'The Trump administration looked to break the normal secrecy of grand jury proceedings amid mounting public pressure, including from much of the president's political base, to release more files on the case.' Does this apply to Epstein's case?: No, that's a separate request. 'The administration has made a similar request in Epstein's case, which remains pending and will be handled by a different federal judge.' I bet Alaska is beautiful in August: President Trump is traveling to Alaska later this week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending its war with Ukraine. What will be discussed?: Trump confirmed they would discuss a plan to swap territories as part of potential peace talks. Backstory: Trump has given Putin a short deadline to end its fighting with Ukraine. Putin reportedly presented the administration with a ceasefire proposal last week that would include Ukraine giving up territory. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the idea. Some insight into the administration's thinking: Vice President Vance said over the weekend that 'we're done with the funding of the Ukraine war business.' ➤ QUICK HITS: COMING UP The House and Senate are out. 🌴 President Trump is in Washington. (All times EST) 🐝 INTERNET BUZZ 🥪 Celebrate: Today is National Panini Day. 🚪 *Cue the AOL door-close sound *: AOL is discontinuing its dial-up internet service at the end of September. Who else is surprised that it's still around in 2025?! LINK 🍬 This is so intense, and I'm SO here for it: Oreo and Reese's announced a big collaboration. The Wall Street Journal's Jesse Newman reports on the massive, secret undertaking to merge the two powerhouse snacks. Excerpt: 'In theory, the idea behind the products was simple. In practice, merging two of America's most iconic snacks, while maintaining their individual identities, was a deeply complex undertaking, requiring cloak-and-dagger tactics reminiscent of the Manhattan Project. Executives and food scientists met in secret and spoke in code, keeping knowledge of the effort to a tight circle to prevent leaks. Experimental cookies and candy under development were hidden in foil wrapping while company officials shuttled to and from corporate offices and the research-and-development labs where recipes were being tweaked.' Read:
