[bruinaphi]

While I pledged in August and was initiated in February, I fully support the 8 week new member period and doing away with new member exams. I have seen new member periods without exams and without extended time periods turn out members who have been involved in their fraternities for over 10 years now. It is not really that difficult to introduce people to sisterhood, history and a lifetime of opportunity in a two month period.

New member exams are not just hazing, they are also a waste of time! I remember spending a lot of time studying for them, making sure I knew every last detail about each founder, etc. when I could have been studying for my classes. My chapter hasn't done new members exams now for almost ten years and if you ask our current members who our founders are and other information that was on new member exams they can still tell you. It is all about programming and educating your members throughout their time in college and as alumnae.

In terms of scholarship, we as fraternity women consider ourselves developers of women - if you pledge someone in fall and they don't make grades, you should look at your membership development program and see what you can do to help your members, new and active to be more successful scholastically. It is not just new members that need study hours and study buddies. All members need to study and chapters should provide incentives for studying.

Just my two cents.