sorority rushee and hazing
 

I will be rushing for a sorority when I go to college. I have even heard horrible stories of hazing on a cheerleading squad. I am visually impaired, so the thought of hazing really worries me. Can anyone give any tips on finding signs that a sorority may hze, that would be awesome.

National sororites, that is members of the NPC and NPHC, do not haze. It is against the rules and beliefs of sororities. we forster friendship and love and scholarship and philanthropy. Hazing is the antithesis of what we stand for.

My sorority years have taught me more about myself and the sisterhood ALL women share than anything else could have ever hoped to.

If you found a sorority hazing, rest assured it is in DIRECT violation of local, state, national, university and sorority rules.

:)
Amy

Ditto on what Amy said!

I'm not going to lie and say that hazing doesn't happen, because it does. But keep in mind that hazing is ILLEGAL in most states, and those who practice it are caught and dealt with!

My sorority places strong emphasis on scholarship, sisterhood, and philanthropy....and the sororities I know of also believe that these ideals are important.

I truly believe that one should not have to subject herself to hazing in order to be a part of a sisterhood. Prior to rushing Alpha Gamma Delta, I actually rushed a sorority on my campus that made me

• address the active sisters by their titles, for example: "Good morning, Miss Gina, I am very happy to be in your supreme presence."
• wear a bracelet to indicate that I was a pledge
• carry around a pink box

These girls were very PLEASANT during rush, but they really made me UNCOMFORTABLE once I had been installed as a Pledge. Basically, if you feel at all uncomfortable during your New Member Period (because NPC organizations aren't allowed to call them Pledges anymore), chances are there's something wrong and something needs to be done about it. Anything that jeopardizes your physical and mental well being during your New Member Period should be considered hazing.

Good luck to you and let us know when you go through Recruitment!

Depends what you call hazing
 

I don't want to identify my Ivy League school or the GLO I'm speaking about, but to say that "NPC sororities do not haze" just isn't always true. The national organizations are anti-hazing. This does not mean that NMs don't get hazed.

I'm not talking about an isolated incident; this was the regular modus operandi at more than one house. NMs had to dress up like streetwalkers and sing (in front of fraternity pledges) songs about how they were sluts. NMs had to learn and sing songs about how the other sororities on campus were fat pigs. There were lock-ins when no one was allowed to leave the house.

What frustrates me is the disconnect between the presentation of what the organization is about and the experience after bid day. If this is valuable because it creates bonding, then the organization should state proudly to the PNMs that this is what will happen. If it is not valuable, it ought to stop.

To answer the poster's question, I think you have to keep in mind that if what I am describing does not sound like the kind of sisterhood experience you want to have, you can be absolutely sure it won't happen to you. You can be sure as long as you know that you have the strength to walk away from it if it goes on in your chapter. You can stand up and say, "I am willing to show that I value the group in another way, but I don't want to do this." The reaction will tell you really quick whether this group really wants you to be their sister. If they love and respect you, they won't want you to do anything that you'd be ashamed of later. If they don't, it's better to be an independent or try a different group the next year.

-- IvySpice

I am proud to say that my sorority does not haze. NPC along with my university have no hazing policies. If you for any reason feel that hazing is taking place, you should report it. Like mentioned before, hazing is illegal and is not a laughing matter. Contact the university's Greek Coordinatior/Advisor or local authorities.

I dont see that as hazing. When I pledged I wore a pledge pin, which was enforced by nationals. I had no prob wearing it, actually I was proud to wear it.




wear a bracelet to indicate that I was a pledge

Re: Depends what you call hazing
 

"Lock-ins" or retreats are NOT hazing. The entire chapter (sisters and pledges) participates in them as a bonding activity. Everyone knows about it far ahead of time and no one is ever forced to miss work or class to attend it.

Perceptions
 

You really have to go into recruitment with an open mind and sometimes take things with a grain of salt. If a sorority hazes, you'll probably hear about it somehow through recruitment. On my campus, it's a well known thing that most sororities haze. Keep your eyes and ears open for this. Other than that, there isn't much way of telling until your new member program starts. As the others have said, even though NPC sororities don't believe in hazing, it still happens, and if it happens to you, you have avenues to use to take care of it.

Generalizations
 

>>>
"Lock-ins" or retreats are NOT hazing. The entire chapter (sisters and pledges) participates in them as a bonding activity. Everyone knows about it far ahead of time and no one is ever forced to miss work or class to attend it.
>>>

I'm sure that these statements are true at your chapter, which I'm glad to hear because what you're describing sounds like fun. But that doesn't mean that they are true in every case. In this case, they were not true.

I'd also like to point out that you don't necessarily need to "force" people to get them to do something they really don't want to do. When you're 17, and a group of older women you look up to, and who you desperately want to please and impress so that they will accept you, tell you to do something unpleasant, and you are with a group of fifty peers who are all doing it, chances are you're going to end up doing it too, even if no one holds a gun to your head. And if the alternative is to do it or get kicked out of the group, well, saying no in that context takes an incredible amount of strength and bravery that not every 17-year-old can muster.

Hopefully the original poster is going to a school with chapters like yours where she will be welcomed in a warm and sisterly way. I just think that she should know that there are chapters (and individual big sisters) out there who don't have the same ideas about how to build a sisterhood, and it might be worth thinking about how she's going to handle the situation if it comes up.

-- IvySpice

That is not true! Do not believe that all NPHC and NPC do not haze. All chapters are different and some do haze and get caught. I am sure you know already by this GC that some get caught hazing. The best way to know if a chapter's members haze, is if a girl like Amy tells you, "National sororities, that is members of the NPC and NPHC, do not haze."

-Heath

FKT

Well Heath, how do you propose that sororities convey the message that they do not haze to prospective members?
Technically, no member of NPC and NPHC should haze. All nationals have a resolution that this is NOT allowed. Yes, it does go on. But usually when a national office finds out, that chapter is gone.
For instance, KD doesn't mess around with hazing. We've lost several chapters in recent years because of hazing violations. Also, if you allow yourself to be hazed, you are just as much to blame as the person hazing you.
I've always been proud to say that my chapter does not haze. I'm not going to lie and say that no NPC or NPHC hazes. They SHOULDN'T, but some do.
It's unfortunate, but to prospective members, there is no definite way to tell if a group hazes or not. If it does happen to you, report it to the proper people. You will be released of your pledge and allowed to join another group if you so desire.

up until yesterday I was under the impression that hazing doesn't really happen as much as some people believe it does. I was never hazed, and so I just kind of assumed that it was more of a guy thing, and mostly sororities didn't do it, but I got into a lengthy conversation with someone on GC last night about her hazing experience, which maybe makes me think that it happens but my eyes just weren't open to it. Sometimes we don't see things that we don't want to.

My suggestion would be to ask some questions about being a new member, and listen to the answers very carefully that may give you some indication as to what the new member, or pledge period will be like.

Hey Pollywogg! Thanks for the nice convo last night - you allowed me to vent and talk about some things!

Anyway, don't be naive about hazing. If it happens, in which my case it does, then it does. Go ahead and try reporting it, because you will have all of Greek Life hating you. Believe me, I have seen it done - it's not pretty. They make your life miserable and you might as well leave the school. Hazing does, and will be continued. I've seen it done in public! It's a tradition, and like I said to pollywogg, and if you don't want to participate after initiated, then you don't have to. It's a decision.

thanks again pollywogg it was a lot of fun!

I would think that the "pledge trainer" (what is the PC term?) would go to the ends of the earth for you since your safety is her responsibility. Being aware of your vision limitations, it would take a very ignorant person to put you in a risky situation.

I can't say it wouldn't happen, but you may very well be able to tell who would be the least likely to paticipate in such activities when you meet them. Gentility is hard to fake.

I know that I'm not apart of the NPHC, but you all really can't group NPHC sororities with NPC. At NPHC informationals they have to say they don't haze. But I have NEVER been to any school where that is a fact. You are looked down on if you aren't hazed. Your chapter gets a reputation as a paper chapter and no one takes you serious. If no one sees your pledges losing sleep for an extended period of time or waking up at 3:00am to buy a sister a candy bar, no one give you respect. I know it sounds silly, but it is true. I don't know about NPC but you really can't speak on behalf of any NPHC sorority.

How do "I" propose that sororities convey the message that they do not haze to prospective members? Well, Kddani the best way that a sorority can be sure not to get thrown into a spin of negative sorority thought-is to NOT claim a lie. A lie is to say that all NPHC and NPC chapters do not haze. Also, saying this is a negative for Greek life; stating that locals do haze; that is what you do say when stating only NPHC and NPC don't haze. If you want to be clear about not having a chapter that hazes, say, "my chapter does not haze, we believe in true sisterhood backing each other up, for the betterment of your safety in a physical matter, scholastic matter, and SOCIAL matter. We only do what is necessary to make sure your right for us and we are right for YOU. (Then end it saying:) I would never have joined if I felt I was doing anything that would lessen me as a person and bring shame to my name." I hope you get my drift:) Kddani. To isatelatUCR you need to have questions answered if you have any. Don't be afraid of asking questions. Talk one on one with the pledge mom or whatever she may be called. Also, when you go to these sororities keep your eyes open, but your ears even wider, becuase some times people slip and say something about how their org. pledges people and that can lead you to joinning or not. Good Luck girl:)
-Heath
Rush Chair

FKT
www.bspotonline.com/phitau
www.phikappatau.org

Reply to All
 

Listen, if a sorority hazes on campus, you are not always going to find out. Greek life keeps their mouths shut. If one gets in trouble, it's as if they all do. Don't think you can run to get that organization in trouble because I'll say it again, you might as well leave the school because nobody is going to be behind you.

In defense of KDDani (my wonderful sister!), what she was saying is that ALL NPC SORORITIES HAVE A ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY in ragards to hazing. That being said, when the National HQ of a sorority gets wind of a suspected hazing at a chapter, you can bet that they will be sending National Officers to that chapter to find out what is going on.
Also, keep in mind that hazing is ILLEGAL in 42 states. I encourage everyone to check out: www.stophazing.org
I wrote my senior thesis on developing an anti-hazing program for a high school athletic department, and I exchanged emails with Hank Nuwer (a nationally recognized expert on hazing). Check out the site, and find out the law in your state. Also, make sure you are clear on the definition of hazing. Having the entire chapter (sisters and new members) stay at the house as a sisterhood event is not considered hazing (unless the activities that take place during that event are hazing), also being asked to do something (say, serve on a planning committee) is not hazing. What bothers me almost as much as actual hazing, is when people over-react and consider any sister/brother asking a pledge/new member to do something as hazing. Anyway, check out that website, and get familiar with the definition of hazing and the laws in your state (also check with your university/college, they sometimes have different laws)

Sorority Hazing
 

I completely disagree with hazing, but unfortunately, it happens with some of the local sororities that are on my campus (Local sororities were the only sororities on our campus for a long time. NPC sororities will be introduced to our campus in the Fall).

One local sorority on campus was actually very well-known for hazing. They would make their pledges dress up ridiculously for an entire week. For example, they would make the pledges dress up like clowns one day and the pledges had to stay like that *all day* including class.. and if they worked, they were expected to stay dressed like that as well. The next day they would tell their pledges to wear pink wigs everywhere (Pink was one of their colors). I don't know *why* the pledges put up with that? Maybe they thought it was fun?! I don't know.

NatalieCD--

I'd love to know what school you go to that ostracizes people for following the rules! That, to me, is insane. Our campus USED to not even look at girls who would depledge, but that has long since been done away with. To any new member on this board, or potential new member, if you are hazed and feel you should report it, you should by all means do so. Change doesn't happen because of the closemindedness of the statements like

"you might as well leave the school because nobody is going to be behind you" :rolleyes:

natalie, i'm very sorry about the experience that you have had. obviously it was a bad one that has left a very bitter taste in your mouth. but i'd like to point out that every campus is a very different place, and had you been at my school, i can guarantee that not all greek life would have hated you. i would have stood behind you 100% and i know many others who would have as well.

this past year one of the new members of another sorority was uncomfortable with one of the "traditions" of her sorority. it was a tradition that the new member classes make up songs to perform at their pledge formal for the rest of the sorority. evidently, these songs were insulting to the other sororities on campus, as well as offensive in general, and showed a lack of self respect for the new members. the new member went to our greek advisor, who was shocked to find out about the tradition. an ultimatum was given to the sorority, and to the other three chapters on campus. such a tradition would stop immediately and if any of us were found to be doing something like this, she would call our national headquarters about it, and also have the school sanction us. well although it scared the sorority in question, it made them see that not all sisters were comfortable with this tradition, which was something they had not realized.

once it was brought to their attention, they fully supported the new member and realized that something that was supposed to be innocent had grown into something that could be considered hazing. all of the sororities supported the new member, in that we agreed no one should be made to feel uncomfortable doing something, even if we think that it is something innocent, we still need to send the message that we are openminded and heedful of individual's feelings, and that it's important as a member of a sisterhood that we support one another and watch out for one another and make sure that all are comfortable with the activities of the chapter.

anyways, i just want to point out that not all campuses have the same positions and some are more openminded, and mindful of the feelings of their members. we don't want to lose that one member who if she hadn't felt so uncomfortable that she felt she had to leave the system or the school, could have made a huge difference in our community and/or been an extraordinary leader. that's not what a sisterhood is about, and if the whole greek community ostracizes someone for standing up for how they feel, then that is certainly a greek community that doesn't know the meaning of sisterhood or brotherhood and one i would never want to be a part of.

ZChi2,

I've been a lurker for a while, but when I saw your post I had to respond. I'm not a member in a sorority of the NPHC, but I've spoken to the ladies of these sororities online and in person. Your information is incorrect. And just how many schools HAVE you been to? If you've been to more than one, you would know how wrong you are. Yes, hazing does still happen in some CHAPTERS, but it's not fair to generalize. That's as bad as the stereotype that all NPC sororities have alcoholics in them.

wow from what i've heard on here there are a lot of sororities who haze. i'm proud to say that my chapter has a no hazing policy :) although i do know that most of the fraternities do haze on our campus. i go to a smaller university so it might be different for the larger ones.

To say that all NPC sororities do not haze would be a stretch since everyone on GC seems to have a different definition of hazing. However, I have heard and seen NPC sororities engaging in some form of "hazing" if you will. One act was having lil sisters in one NPC sorority wear signs, pins, jewelry that was larger than life, etc saying "My big sis loves me." Now that was brought up by our panhellenic council on campus as hazing so we stopped making our nms wear stuff like that because we were told to. However, I still see this one sorority making their NMs wear lil sis stuff. Now whether the lils choose to wear this stuff is up to them and none of my business... but if you had the option, would YOU wear an 8.5x11 sign with a pink fuzzy boa around it hanging from you neck all day?

Now since I am in a local, there seems to be a stigma against locals with reguards to hazing. I won't lie... things we did in the past could be considered. But that is in the past. There are a lot more creative ways to bond a class together than to haze them senseless. But we still have our traditions that are still considered by some, hazing. SOmeone above mentioned class songs. All the classes in my GLO have songs. The difference is that we don't tell the nms that they have to bad mouth other sororities or prove anything worthy or whatever. If they want to do that... well, that's on them. It's fun because all the prior classes have to sing their song as well. And when you rushed 2 years ago... trying to remember that song on the spot can be pretty funny. :)

I digress, but I won't lie to the questioning PNM. There are GLOs that do the handbook definition of hazing. I think it just depends on the context of it all and how the event, option, activity, etc is presented to the NM. If the NM is told to wear a clown outfit for a week because so and so didn't like their attitude, yeah, that's hazing... to an extreme. My old roomie was on the soccer team and she had to go around campus dressed up and had to sing songs with the rest of her freshman counterparts just because the senior members felt like having them do that. I think in any organization, there is going to be SOMETHING that may challenge you a bit or make you upset. But to say that it just doesn't happen? that's not right.

On a side note... NatelieCD, what the heck happened to you in college? Details? :confused:

Ohhh no no no no. As I stated before, I don't regret anything I went through, and hell I would do it again all over!! Yes I was hazed, and I don't wish I could take back any part of my pledge process. It's all mental, what you can take and what you can't.

Yes you are correct, every campus is different. I'm sure Greek Life at every school is different as well. I was stating what it would be like at my school, had somebody reported an organization. We as a greek community stand up for one another and won't let one go. It's just the way we do things.

It just makes me mad when those girls on MTV think arts and crafts are SO hard. That's ridiculous. If they think arts and crafts are bad, try pledging my sorority ladies!

Anyway, sorry had to put my two cents in. :) I totally agree with you about all campuses are different. But you also have to be aware of the situation that every freshmen is put into when they enter a college or university. They don't know what's right and what's wrong. They don't know what hazing is, atleast my pledge class and other pledge classes of other organizations didn't. We went through it, because we wanted to. I don't know any girl who pledged from a sorority on my campus, that wished she could take it all back.

I liked the way you stated your opinion without putting mine down at the same time, thank you!

PS - For a side note for posts and threads after this. Be aware of everybody's situation. Know they they didn't go through the same thing you did, and dont be naive.

I didn't say that all NPHC sororities haze, but like I said I have visited MANY campuses and they haze. I also have many families members and friends that were hazed. The ones that don't get hazed don't get much respect and they are called "paper." I've seen it all the time. Not many people are going to say "yes they beat the crap out of me" but if you seen them while they were pledging, you know that something bad was going on.

Good point!
 

Amen!

Good point!
 

Amen!

ZChi2,

I understand what you are saying, but I wish that you'd clarified that before. Thanks for doing that.

Okay..so can you tell me what was the actual purpose of your post? I read the posts in this thread, and the consensus was NPC and NPHC organizations do not haze. Period. Those chapters that you know of that haze are not representative of the hazing policies the organization at large has adopted.

And another thing....are you in a NPHC organization? If you are or aren't, your posts give off negative vibes about the Divine Nine. Why did it bother you that other posters were being inclusive about a standard "no hazing" policy??

Ummm. Okay...
 

Unless you are a member of an NPHC, or have witnessed the hazing firsthand, I really do not think you are qualified to make such a statement. I know some MIP (or paper as you referred to) NPHC members who command respect by their actions, and I know some underground pledged riff raff who no one respects, and vice versa.

When you join an NPHC organization, then you can talk (with knowledge) about what goes on, but until then, I don't think it is fair or intelligent to assume or state that no one who is NPHC gets respect unless they get the hell beat out of them. It is simply untrue.

-TRSimon
NPHC Member Since 1994

Hiya
 

I think he was just making a statement about greeklife at his school. He wasn't taking a side to either situation.

isatelatucr:

ask about the new member activities. if a chapter says they are secrets, then they are probably hazing. if they can tell you we have a bowling night, a social with a fraternity, etc, then they are less likely to haze. i was amazed at the responses i got at three of the four chapters at my school (all were NPC). one sister was like, of course i can't tell you that. a week or so into pledging, NMs of that group were pushing a car down the street while wearing robes and towels on their heads singing their songs. another chapter on my campus was considered "soft" because their pledges ONLY had to run laps around the campus in the middle of the night, clean sisters rooms, and had food thrown at them. so it is definately something that is alive and well, although it is not legal and not ok with the national office!!

Hazing is Hazing, and In This Today World, everything is Hazing!

I am against hazing but What actually is Hazing? Mental or Physcologlical! Or Both?

Yes to both questions!

We as members of the Greek Community have to look and think what the Outside World Sees when some one is killed or mutilated for being in a Greek Organization! This holds a cloud over all of us!

LXA banned Hazing just after I Graduated from Collge!

I did not allow Hazing when I started my Local so was no problem for me, I loved it!

Our Ritual has changed in many forms over the years to become more Brother / Sister Freindly, so , so be it!

I am still a Member of the Greek Community , or would not be here with all of you!

Thank goodness I am as have met many great people amd Brothers and Sisters on here!

Do any of you disagree???????

*snaps* well said!

Do you really believe that ALL national sororities don't haze?

I'm not talking about what's written down on paper, I'm talking about the reality of the situation.

Although I agree with what was mentioned in a previous thread, there is a distinct difference between being pledged and being hazed. I was pledged, I pledged my little sisters, and it's a strong foundation of what makes your chapter what it is.

My most bonding moments of my own sorority life come from the pledging process.

You want to know what happens when you haze at UCR? I know...
 

For Isatel, who made the first post about the hazing question, please take all the advice and information given to you by all these other people on Greek Chat to heart... They know what they're talking about.

I'm a senior at UCR, and this will be my fourth year as a proud member of Gamma Phi Beta. Trust me, the hazing question was on my mind as well... And it would be a lie if anyone during recruitment told you that "hazing does not happen on our campus or within our Greek community." That would be a blatant lie. My chapter, in the years I have been involved, has never once been brought up for hazing. We do not believe in it. When you hear fraternity men and other UCR students speak of what the new member period will be like, they will almost always say "you're going to be showered with gifts," and this is true. At least by the Panhellenic chapters on our campus.

I work for the Student Life and Leadership center as an assistant to one of the Directors. One of my duties is to help outline sanctions for various organizations, including Greek-lettered organizations. I can tell you that NONE of our 14 IFC and Panhellenic organizations have been brought to judicial hearings for hazing in the last year. I cannot say the same for non-IFC and Panhellenic chapters. And I'm proud to say that, especially in light of the recent tragedy at Cal State Long Beach which may have been a hazing incident.

When you come through recruitment, and I truly hope you do as we have 6 amazing NPC chapters on our campus, please ask questions... even if they may make the chapter members uncomfortable. Those members who have never experienced either side of hazing should be able to honestly and comfortably answer all of your questions.

If you ever want to talk, IM me- my AIM screen name is gphiangel624... I hope to see you during recruitment! It's nice seeing someone on here from our little city of Riverside!

:rolleyes:

Just for the record: My sorority isn't NPC or NPHC (it's actually NALFO) and we have a strict anti-hazing policy as well. We go by our 5 Pillars of: Honesty, Integrity, Leadership, Scholarship, and Unity!

To GPhiAngel624, about the CSULB incident, what was that all about? I went there for 2 years in the early/mid 90's and came across an organization that hazed really badly. PM me if you like or e-mail me at hsu_gammagirl@yahoo.com