Potential Hazing?
 

So theres good news and bad news:

Good: I just signed up for my first interest parties ever! I've already met a few girls I really like and I'm looking forward to it.

Bad: I've heard some horror stories from different people (not greeks) that certain sororities on our campus will force you to drink, often until you throw up.

Of course this could all be wrong, and I plan on going on with rush with an open mind.

This has got me pretty terrified about rushing because I don't drink in the first place, and I don't want to be put in a situtation like that. So I guess my question is:

What should I do if I'm given the ultimatum to either drink or be dropped? Who do I report it to?

If hazing is involved, dont. If force drinking is dont.

Get the hell away from them as soon as possible!

In going through rush, it is going to be a whirlwind so take a deep breath and look at it as logically as possible!

All I can tell ya!

Remember, everyone is going to try to be on their best foot.

Good luck!:)

I don't have any problem with walking away from a bad situation, I think I'm mainly worried about choosing the wrong sorority.

I want to make sure I can get affiliated with one that doesn't participate in hazing, and that I don't find out they're bad news after I've gotten involved with the organization.

You can always drop out, and I think PHC policy is that you have to sit out a year but just keep looking around and find a house that looks good for you. Get to know the sisters first. If hazing is involved and you want to make it known to the proper persons, I say find out who PanHel president is or if you don't feel comfortable with that go to the greek life advisor, your office of campus life, the name should be something to that affect maybe student affairs will be able to point you in the right direction. Hazing shouldn't be tolerated at all.

I'd take it a step further. Personally I think hazing is a reprehensible practice and I'd love to see it stamped out. It just takes individuals with courage who respect their organizations ideals -- or the law, your choice.

If you encounter those types of situations give a call to the national HQ, you should be able to even remain anonymous. What typically happens in these cases is either the chapter is totally closed (what's it matter to you -- you were probably going to quit anyhow), OR serious house cleaning where many members will lose their membership.

The makeup of national organizations IF new members understand what is at their disposal (in most cases they don't) are there to protect their members.

Good luck!

I've mentioned this story previously. A friend of mine accepted a bid to a sorority. They gave her and all of the new pledges a 6 AM wake up call to meet the sisters at the track. The sisters started to yell at them and call them insulting names. My friend stood up and left. She said that she didn't need to put up with that kind of crap. The sisters were shocked since no one had ever done that before. I think that if you experience hazing, you should do the same thing. Get up and leave.

Thats exactly what I would have done in that situation. Its nice to hear other people feel the same way about hazing.

Would it be rude to ask them about their policies on hazing at an interest party?

I don't think it would be rude at all.

However, you're not going to get the true answer from them.

Are they really going to say "oh yes, we haze the sh!t out of our pledges"?

BUT, rumors don't really mean anything sometimes.

Case in point, a few rushes ago when I was undergrad, a house who really wanted a girl that was also rushing us told her that we haze. And no matter how many times I and others tried to reassure this girls that we did NOT, under any circumstances haze, she went to that other house.

Guess what? My house really doesn't/didn't haze. She got hazed in that house she joined.

Unless you've actually seen new reports/police logs of hazing or know someone firsthand who was hazed by a house, you're just going on hearsay and rumors.

You sound like a strong enough person to stand up for yourself and decide what's a good situation for you. Go with your heart to a house, but think with your brain once you're there.

Good luck!

If you are bid, simply let your pledge mom and the other sisters know where you stand.

People will probably ask you if you want a drink just out of courtesy - all you need to say is no, thank you. If they keep nagging you about it, and won't accept your answer, as Cream said, get up and leave. As long as you're not preachy about it, no one should care.

Re: Potential Hazing?
 

Here are my suggestions:

* Find out if the sorotities you are looking at have any published policies on risk management/membership/pledging, etc. The organization I am involved in (APO) does, which are available on our website, and make it very clear what we consider hazing and what is NOT acceptable behavior. If its not on their website, call their National Office and get a copy.

* If you are concerned, ASK. At my chapter, we would have no issue with a potential pledge asking for this kind of information, and would have no issue with supplying this information. Many are fearful of joining a GLO because of the stories they hear, and I feel that by answering their questions that our organization & chapter does not engage in such behavior we will not loose a potential pledge.

* Also speak with whoever is in charge of greek organizations on campus. Get the facts. I would hope that most college administrations would take a dim view of this sort of behavior (but you would be suprised by those that don't care...).

Hazing is illegal by state law. I think most National GLO has set down policies condeming them. I think most school administrations do as well. Unfortunately, some individuals and chapters haven't gotten the message. Most GLOs WILL take action against such people, however.

Hope this helps

Thanks for all the encouraging words, you all have given me a lot to think about...

Regardless of any rumors I'll go with an open mind. Next Wednesday and Thursday are the three parties I'm attending.

I hope I can come out of this with a better (and more assured)idea of which sorority is right for me.

Going and talking to director of greek life is a great idea, I will definitely do that before I go next week.

~Amanda

I think you should also keep in mind that rumors are still only rumors until proven otherwise.

When I was rushing I heard horror stories all over campus about all the different things that X,Y,Z and A,B,C did. I was really scared during rush, but I didn't want to say anything. One of the other rushees started asking them about things that would be considered hazing and they started laughing about all of the rumors that I had heard. None of the things I had heard was true.

Still though, I agree with everyone else. If something does happen, you need to remove yourself from the situation.

MSSCY1, Could not agree more with your assesment!:)

The ne person must look at who she is looking toward!

You may hear all kinds of things and that is a shame! Recrutment should be a great thing. When you hear BS, ignore it and look for the better good! It is each individuals responseabilty to decide. ALL GREEK Orgs are Great, but each have decide for themselves!;)

If hazing is involved you contact your nationals/international office. Most GLO's have strict anti hazing and alcohol policies. Check into that, if you have questions ask your risk management and also ask your Panhellenic Risk Management chair.

Mandelion, why are you already assuming the worst? Go through rush, enjoy yourself and, if you make a connection, pledge. Then if the situation arises, and ONLY THEN, worry about crossing that bridge. And if it does happen, which it most likely won't, tell them you won't be pressured into something you're uncomfortable with. If the situation continues, report it to your greek advisor.