The University of Alabama's (UA) president acknowledged the school's sororities are segregated and ordered changes to end racial discrimination, the Associated Press reported.
In a video statement released by the school, Judy Bonner said all sororities with a campus association must begin using a method of recruitment allowing new members to be added at any time. She also expanded the number of members allowed to 360, upping the chance of prospective recruits.
Like when many were watching UA when it began allowing black students half a century ago, Bonner said, they are watching again as they de-segregate their sororities.
"This time it is because our Greek system remains segregated and chapter members admit that during the recruitment process that ended a few weeks ago decisions were made based on race," she said.
Bonner, who became UA's first female president less than a year ago, acted swiftly after initial reports from the student newspaper, the Crimson White, alleged that some of the all-white sororities' alumnae blocked certain chapters from allowing two black students from joining in August.
The school's Faculty Senate said Bonner's decision is a move in the right direction, but noted more must be done to truly de-segregate Greek-letter groups.
"While we will not tell any group who they must pledge, the University of Alabama will not tolerate discrimination of any kind," Bonner said.
Sierra R. Turner, a black professor at UA, said Bonner's actions were "not good enough," while other faculty members wondered why the same type of attention has not been placed on men's organizations.
Faculty Senate president Steve Miller announced plans for a group of students and teachers to march to the administration building from the library to demand change. He said he expected the group "to be there a while."
UA has come under public scrutiny from local and national political figures including activist Jesse Jackson and Democratic representative of Tuscaloosa, the school's hometown, Terri Sewell.
Said Sewell, "When we still have fraternities and sororities in our state that block because of race, we still have work to do."