The Girls Gone Wild brand claims to be “all about fun, freedom, and youthful expression.” With the company promising to make an appearance Thursday, April 1, at The Rail in downtown Commerce, the university administration is urging students to be cautious.
“The students have rights as individuals to decide if they participate or not,” Vice President for Student Access and Success Dr. Mary Hendrix said. “I would just caution them that any time they agree to be filmed that they sign a release, and they really read over the release and find out the capacity with which it’s going to be used.”
Hendrix recommended students think about the far-reaching implications of what some might consider a fun night to be forgotten the next day.
“Students would not want to engage in any behavior that would be embarrassing to them now or in the future,” she said. “In this state of media and how quickly things are posted on YouTube, any actions that they engage in could be filmed, and anyone out there in the public could see it now and many years from now.”
Because college girls have been targeted to star in Girls Gone Wild videos in the past, many sororities on campus have taken a proactive approach by setting parameters for their sisters ahead of the event. The Girls Gone Wild event was discussed Monday. March 29, at the Pan-Hellenic meeting.
“I have advised them to use their best judgment—just being classy and not trashy,” Coordinator of Greek Life Amber VanLue said.
VanLue said she was not excited when she found out Girls Gone Wild was coming to Commerce. There is the potential for something to happen that would be detrimental to someone’s future career goals for participating in an event like Thursday’s foam party.
Disciplinary action for going to the event or engaging in on or off-camera stunts is up to the personnel of each chapter, and VanLue said that some chapters have already warned their sisters not to participate.
“They’re trying everything they can to promote a positive image of themselves, and that’s the last thing they need,” VanLue said.
Some students have raised concerns about the crew coming on-campus to get shots of girls for their popular video series. The university does not have a policy of barring groups from coming on campus.
“It’s a public institution, so anyone can come,” Hendrix said.
Hendrix said the crew would have to get releases to use someone’s image, although some chapters have gone a step farther and said they will be going to class on Thursday but not answering their door.
“We will not be going out on Thursday night,” President of Kappa Delta sorority, Jewel Malick said.