Alternatives to Hazing?
 

There is an interesting thread on the Greek Life board elsewhere on this site and it got me to thinking: many of us don't like the current way of bringing in new members, and many of us rue the days when hazing was a way of life, but I haven't heard anyone talk about alternatives to both.

What could be done differently to make the intake process an experience that teaches history and ideals, fosters teamwork and sisterhood, and prepares/energizes young women to go out and do the work of the sorority for the rest of their lives? How could this process help current members dedicate themselves to the sisterhood? How could this process unify both Ivies and Sorors?

Please read the aforementioned thread, then let me know what you think. I'm trying to get an intelligent discussion around this issue, but I want to center it around our beloved AKA and the specifics of the black greek experience.

I'm interested in hearing from both sorors and interested parties on this one. I love this sisterhood so much and I would like to be proactive in ensuring her growth as we move forward.


DG

Good Morning Sorors!!

Although I am not a firm advocate of the intake process that we currently have, I follow it as it is the "Law of the Land". But you know what Sorors, I realized some things during my chapter's last MIP...you CAN get things done and try to foster some of the things that you mentioned. It's hard and it's challenging though. The funniest thing to me is that it truly depends on the compassion of the chapter as well as the young ladies. My girls (I was the MIP Chair) really talked to us (meaning the younger sorors in my chapter) about things that they liked and disliked. Things between us and them seemed a little shaky, but through some of the exercises that we did (and some deviation from the guidelines), I think we did a good job. I can't really get into a lot of the specifics, but you can have an effective process if you want one.

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AKATUDE - Don't Leave Home Without It!

I agree with Soror Crooklyn that the current MIP can be effective, however, you must have everyone on the same page, so to speak. That is why good communication is necessary. Also, those involved must truly be willing to go the extra mile and put forth the effort. I believe the chapter members have to set the example.

Hello beautiful ladies of AKA. I am a member of GOMAB's Army, better known to you as Phi Beta Sigma. In regards to the MIP process, i believe it should be totally disbanded as the official intake process for BGLOs. The fact of the matter is that I did my thing in Spr 99, and I went for mine for 9 weeks 3 days 21 hours and 10 minutes. I uphold the principles of the Fraternity to the fullest,and i know my history extremely well. It was and is the only way.When I did my "paper work", I didn't learn half the things I know about the fraternity from pledging. My grad chapter representative didn't even have the decency to teach me the greek letter alphabet! He was like "OHh don't worry about that!". That's a basis of any process right there. But I could complain about it for years and years, but the question is, what can we do about it to change it?

I think an effective is not only learning brotherhood and sisterhood from enduring tribulations online together, but also to contribute to the community which we came from. When I was online, I had right 2 page papers on the national programs of Sigma (Social Action, Education, Bigger and Better Business) and how we would implement them on our campus. I did research, and I came with the Sigma Career Fair, which in effect would invite prominent members of my organization to my campus to provide students with job opportunities after graduation. That was just one idea.

[This message has been edited by AKAtude (edited April 07, 2000).]

I like what babyface said about cutting the 4 days a week to 3 and spending a good amount of time volunteering. In the thread Discogoddess referred to, one person mentioned a ropes course. A sorority at my school did that and the participants later said that it was scary (flying 100 feet over the ground on a zip line or walking across a log over a river can be frightening to some people). Still they supported each other and the Big Sisters supported them throughout their whole ordeal. They came out feeling better about themselves and closer to each other and the current members.

Alpha Kappa Alpha is filled with smart, thoughtful and creative women and I'm sure many alternatives to hazing can be found. What people tried to achieve through hazing (proof of loyalty, strength, and unity) can be achieved through less jeopardizing methods. I can't really have much of an opinion on MIP but since Crookyln and AKAtude say that it can be effective then that means you just have to be more creative when planning your activities. Paddling someone or calling them at six in the morning is easy. Thinking up new ways to foster old ideals isn’t. My idea is to try new things and get creative with activities and afterwards try to retrieve feedback from the participants. Overtime the new process will become more fine-tuned with a little feedback and observation.

First thank you mr.bayface1914 for joining us in our forum, but I think what you are saying is a bit in appropriate. I am sure you worked hard for yours and I worked just as hard or more for mine, but you can't continue to 'bigup' your pledge process. I don't know your history but I am sure it is against your bylaws just as it is against mine to pledge. However, if you do Pledge or have some sort of process you should not be bragging about it on the net and think that people (Maybe your national Headquarters) can't find you and shut your chapter down. I am not saying this to be rude, but a word to the wise ... is sufficient I was made in Fall '98, thus we can gather that I went through MIP, whatever else might have occurred is personal business!
What Soror Discogoddess is trying to say - 'I think' is now that we have this process what can be done or how can we change the minds of our collective bodies to figure out another process? I feel you have to be in it to win it. I can't complain about the process too much because I am young, if you want to see changes you need to be active and you need to be at Boule's (our convention) to vote on subjects like this. Send some ideas to your regional directors and make them think about what is happening in the real world... that is here in the Grad/UnderGrad world! We can't continue to glorify what aint right. Soror Crooklyn08 mentioned she is going to follow the laws until otherwise stated - and that is what we all need to do. Please don't make sisterfriends and brotherfriends, alike, think that the only way to be a good Frat or Soror is to pledge because we all know that it is not. I know old heads, one is my own biological sister who is not active, but who pledged back in 80 something for 10 weeks. Come on let's get with it and GET SOME REAL IDEAS OUT HERE. My statement, as you can tell is not an idea it is just a point of clarification on the topic.

Sisterly
LadyAKA

[This message has been edited by LadyAKA (edited April 07, 2000).]

I agree with Soror AKAtude, we should not delve into this topic too much. But I will say that I liked the idea that Soror Pinkacres had. We have sessions about everything else why not "Proper Pledging Seminars"? And the idea of making intake once a year might be an idea, I know some schools already have this restriction.

Okay I am off my 1908 soap box ;-0

Hello all,

When I saw this topic I was very intrigued. I just wanted to say thank you to Discogoddess for starting the topic and for members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated for responding. As a perspective member, this has always been a concern of mine. I am also an older undergraduate student and there are just some things that I won't tolerate especially if it is not edifying me with relation to understanding the dynamics of the organization, bonding with the other women etc. I have a personal opinion on this topic but I will keep it to myself since I don't think it is my place as a non-member to express them(no disrepect to Poplife). Long story short, thank you ladies, you just confirm why I desire to join such a wonderful organization. Peace and Blessings

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Never cast your pearls before swine Matthew 7:6

Spr.93 is when I was accepted into my beloved organization! I thank the Lord for that day. However, the process was not a smooth one. I will exercise discretion as my Soror LadyAKA suggested, but I also believe there is a fine line between the hazing process and MIP. Unfortunately, if sorors are not "made" properly they tend to want to "make" others in a less than sisterly way. (Please read between the line) Hazing had gotten to the point where it was a process of "just getting even with what was done to your line and etc." I wanted to experience the Full process of obtaining membership in an organization. I must admit after the process very few felt sisterly. I have always wanted to be an AKA nothing else matter(organizations wise) So I was able to rise above the situation and continue to love my Sorority. My heart bleeds for some of my LSs who were not able to make that transition. Reclaiming sorors is a very important goal! But it can not be done if the uneducated, inadaquete, underground pledging process is not addressed. Please note I did say NO pledging, just a more structured controled situation. Maybe one day we will chapters being sent to National to undergo "Proper Pledging Seminars". Maybe we should cut intake down to Spr. only and then the following Fall send all the new Sorors to Alpha Chapter to host a "History and Sisterly Experience Week." What better place to experience the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha than Alpha Chapter. I don't know just ideas.... excuse spelling I do not have time to check. Pink

I would just like to say I agree that some of things Babyface1914 included were inappropriate, which is why I deleted a portion of his post to begin with.

My first post I tried to keep short and sweet because I don't think this is really the forum to discuss aspects of MIP, regardless of your organization affiliation.

I agree with what LadyAKA mentioned about attending meetings and conferences. If you want to see a change made, then get involved and be part of a better solution. I'm sure many of you have some great ideas you think would work well. Just be sure to follow the proper procedure to submit your ideas. For the time being, work with what you have because there is no alternative.