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jon1856,
You've taken my quotes a bit out of context, but in the first one I think I was being called out to specifically explain the hazing that occurs in my chapter. You probably know as well as I that an email address is almost as easy to track as a phone number. No thanks.
Shinerbock, from my reading of his post, is a brother of a very traditional fraternity. To him and his chapter as to I and mine, tradition is almost a religion. Without knowing, I would venture to say that their Alumni are very involved in his chapter. Just last year I represented my chapter in a hazing charge brought by another fraternity. When one of our pledges looses anything that they are required to carry, it is returned in a block of ice that can be found in the house freezer. They then must carry it until it melts. Hazing? Delt and Tom would probably say yes. However, the University said NO.
My biggest problem with all these PC Fraternities is that because they lack the structure and discipline to operate as a Fraternity should, they cause scrutiny on mine. In 2006, almost all of our pledge period happens behind closed doors. I'm not talking about ridiculous things that are considered hazing on this board, ie. books, pins, scavenger hunts, etc. but the REAL pledge period.
My only description of our pledge period on this board follows "The process has 3 phases. Breakdown, education, and build up. In the first phase the pledge can do nothing correct. Most of their social habits are broken. We change everything from the way they dress, hairstyle, eat, wipe their ass, ect. As time goes on they have less and less time to spend on outside interest and friendships. Almost all of our DE-pledges come in this phase. For the ones that stay, this is the point that they give up being an individual. They identify their success' and failures' with that of the pledge class. During education they learn all they need to know about acceptable behavior, the Fraternity, Brotherhood, ect. The build up is the most fascinating. The pledge class is placed into situations that they can deal with and succeed on a regular basis. The task become more difficult and much more personal as time goes on. Finally, they get to the point where the pledge class needs the Brothers to succeed, and the Brothers produce. When they get to the level that they are not hesitant or embarrassed by anything, they are ready to begin initiation week. "
As far as my discussing my chapters hazing with others, there are a couple, specifically one other Alumni President that I have frank discussions with. Our chapters have similar processes and as such similar risk.
In shinerbock's recent "utterly ridiculous" post, his satire is unfortunately the reality for all the PC fraternities. That is SAD.
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