1 Percent Of Women Joining University Of Alabama Sororities This Year Are Black

For the second year in a row, black students will be able to join traditionally white sororities at the University of Alabama. However, they only account for 1 percent of the new members on a campus where 12 percent are African-American.

Among the final final numbers, 21 of the 2,054 women accepting bids to sororities at UA were black, and 190 were minorities. The numbers show progress, but also that more work remains.

UA came under fire in 2013 when it was revealed traditionally white sororities were blocking black women from joining based on their race. Eventually, the university did arrange an open bid process that allowed several houses to add black women as new members.

But one year later, the university had its largest sorority rush in history, and the largest in the nation.

The university was criticized this year for restricting media access and not allowing for press interviews with sorority leaders during rush. Media were not allowed to step on the property of sororities or stop the women on the sidewalk. All press inquiries were to be directed toward the university's media relations office.