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This debate becomes rather interesting as you look at it from the "being PC" point of view.
In my opinion when you argue the semantics of the language it can appear to be a superficial solution. Personally it's the program itself that makes the difference to me. Fraternities and Sororities will always have a probation period of orientation to ensure that the decision made by the individual to join and the chapter to offer that opportunity were the right decisions.
Recruitment in many areas is far too competitive to wait until you know absolutely everything about someone before you offer a bid. And it’s funny that some National offices are pushing for higher membership numbers driving that competition into frenzy on some campuses...but also pushing for smaller pledge periods with fewer requirements. This prevents chapters from effectively "filtering out" potentially bad members (which CAN be done through academic and conduct standards during the probationary period and NOT hazing). This may also be a result of the attitude of entitlement that some students are entering higher education with. Everyone wants the privileges but don't think they should have to meet the responsibilities. To those individuals I say..."good luck in life because it's going to be hard for you out in the real world"
Calling individuals "candidates, new members, associates, or pledges" really isn't the issue. It's how chapters treat those individuals. My chapter uses the term pledge. And we have a great pledge program that focuses on the positive aspects of Delt and Greek Life. Another fraternity may call them by any other name...and have serious hazing issues. So what difference did a name change make?
I somewhat understand the argument that the term "pledge" has come to hold negative connotations associated with hazing. But so will any other term a chapter chooses to use if the outrageous activities of a few chapters that create that negative connotation are not ceased. Perhaps someday even the word "associate" will hold the same bad stereotype as "pledge".
It would be easy change the jargon until we run out of words in the dictionary, but by doing that are we just trying to out run the real problems?
I know many GLOs take an active stand in trying to face the issues of hazing and I applaud each step of progress Greek Life makes in the direction of ridding our systems of those issues. Because that's what will bring a real solution. And then we can call them "candidates, new members, associates, or pledges" in good conscious.
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