[UNLDelt]

From Merriam-Webster Online:

Main Entry: pledge
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): pledged; pledg·ing
1 : to make a pledge of
2 : to drink to the health of
3 : to bind by a pledge
4 : to promise the performance of by a pledge

Main Entry: haze
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): hazed; haz·ing
Etymology: origin unknown
1 a : to harass by exacting unnecessary or disagreeable work
b : to harass by banter, ridicule, or criticism
2 : to haze by way of initiation
3 West : to drive (as cattle or horses) from horseback
- haz·er noun

Not even close...

A fraternity or sorority can "rush" "rushees" have "pledges", run a "pledge program" and be a shining example of a great house with NO hazing. (Like my chapter)

Just as a fraternity or sorority can have "recruitment" for "potential new members" and run a "new member education program" and STILL haze the daylights out of those "new members".

It's not what you say...its what you do. This whole thing feeds the idea that the entire Greek System is bad and we ALL need to change. Yes, as in all things there are bad apples that bring us all down. But even if we develop an entirely new language to try and dust off the wounds it won't make a bit of difference. "Would a rose by any other name still smell as sweet?" Yes, yes it would...because that's what it does...it smells sweet.

A REAL solution is to keep working to rid the ACTIVITIES that give greeks a bad name...if we keep catering to this kind of argument of semantics we will eventually become entirely homogenious through the systematic erasing of that which makes us unique by those who feel threatened because they are not part of it and therefore assume it's bad. We might as well become just like every other club on campus, sign up and you're in, no requirement b/c we don't want you to file suit against us for discrimination b/c you didn't make the GPA, or that we "hazed you" by asking that you learn a little history about the organization you say you want to be a part of. What's next?
"Oh I'm sorry what?...You're offended because you don't know what our letters mean...Ok well then we'll go ahead and stop using them..."