Lines and Uniforms
 

The issue of lines, uniforms, and marching seem to be of big debate in campus administrators offices.

However, I am not exactly sure what lines uniforms etc is actually referring to . . .

Anyone want to fill me in?

I'm not really sure what you're talking about. I do know that at a majority of coming out stepshows, the line or pledges for that semester are usually wearing the same outfitt. Why would that be controversial at your school? Haven't you seen a stepshow? That's basically what a coming out show is. The chapter is their to display it's neos or newly initiated brothers/sisters. After all of the traditional parts, they usually have an added stepshow. I don't know what greek life is like at your school, so I really can't judge your administration for their decision. I hope I was of some help. And I must say that the "uniforms" are in no way a form of conformity.

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KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
SPR 97
XI LAMBDA

Are some of the GLOs forcing their pledges to dress alike and march in formation all the time? I know at my school one of the non NPC sororities does make their pledges dress the same everyday in outfits dictated by the actives. And I've heard that at Longwood practically every sorority makes their pledges sew together some matching jumpsuits in chapter colors and wear them everyday. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif Not my idea of a good way to build up sisterhood.

Is it true, that in the NPC (and maybe the IFC too) that lines, matching uniforms (other than chapter shirts) and the like are considered hazing? I'd imagine it doesn't apply to non NPC groups, because what each group considers hazing is completely different.

I know this was an issue, some time ago, but should not be an issue as of late...

From what I understand, back in the day, 70'S AND 80'S, before the big "hazing ha ha" started, many organizations had their "pledgees" walking in lines on campus in the same outfits.

I don't think this happens anymore, unless the groups are "coming out".

Someone OLDER IN GREEKDOM, please correct me if I am wrong....

Yeah AKA2D '91 is right.

Back in the days part of the pledge process was to dress alike and march in line (this was a tradition way back in the day pre-70's and 80's which is back in the day to most of us). You can even see pictures of this in books written about NPHC organizations. Nowadays, with the anti-hazing laws, etc., it is not "supposed" to happen anymore EXCEPT at a show (either a step show or a show to present neos). I can only speak for NPHC organizations, I am not sure what NPC or IFC pledges do or have done in the past.

We all received identical t-shirts on our pledge pickup night. We were to wear them or other letters on Friday, which was "letter day" for ALL the Greeks on campus. We could wear other letters if we had them, but the t-shirts were to get us started until we had the $$$ to buy the nice 3-D letters.

I have seen some of those Longwood sorority outfits. They frightened me. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif But hey, different strokes for different folks.

From an oldhead in Greekdom...

When I was 'on-line' (ie pledging) back in 1986, it was standard practice for pledges to dress alike, if not identical. This practice was done for the entire pledge period. There used to be a probate show which was performed by the pledges BEFORE they crossed. We used to be required to walk in 'line', that is in-formation back to front, literally. We also were not allowed to wear the orgs letters but had to identify ourselves by that orgs name for pledges (Delta pledges were called Pyramids).

These activities were outlawed in 1990 when pledging was banned by the NPHC. By today's standard, they would be considered hazing. Go figure!



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MCCOYRED

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Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

I KNEW THERE WAS SOMEONE OUT THERE!

These activities were outlawed in 1990 when pledging was banned by the NPHC. By today's standard, they would be considered hazing. Go figure!

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DAYUM, If only I could have been 3-5 years OLDER! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif LOL http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif