Quote:
Originally Posted by XiLove_Epsilon
We just had a chapter get in trouble with their nationals for having their pledges go and retrieve composites from each fraternity. They were split into groups and this has been tradition for as far back as anyone can remember...things like this is just fun, tradition, and should be left alone by nationals and the media alike. I realize that getting your pledges unbelievably drunk is not the best idea, but sometimes (if no one is getting truely hurt), you've just got to leave well enough alone. Greeks are an exclusive part of universities for a reason.
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First of all, the pledges were committing theft and vandalism by taking the composites. That is a crime. If organizations are now beginning to recognize that is unacceptable for the supposed elite of the university to commit breaking and entering, then I applaud their efforts to control crime. Because even though it is a tradition, that doesn't make it right or acceptable. Genital mutilation of young women is a long-held tradition in some parts of Africa that is sanctioned by those parts of Africa and respected village elders; does this mean it is right? I realize that theft and mutilation are not the same, but you invoked the name of "tradition."
"If no one is truly getting hurt"-- people are actually getting hurt and we must draw the line somewhere. If Greeks truly embody the best of campus scholarship, leadership and potential, then we must begin to hold ourselves to a higher standard and conduct ourselves as role models, not anarchists who don't hold with the laws and policies of our governing organizations, universities and local/state/federal laws.
Hazing hurts. People get hurt. People die. People get scarred for life, emotionally, physically, even financially. Hazing effects the hazers, the hazed, and their familes. It may start off innocently, but things have a tendency to go wrong very quickly. Hazing interrupts lives, and can go on to have major effects-- do you want to be sued and have your future wages garnished because one of your new members tripped and crippled herself in your harmless blindfolding game and chose to retaliate? It happens and this is one way hazing can affect you, even if you were not directly involved. We may live in a PC, lawsuit happy society, but that can't really be changed. So rather complain about being PC, why not make the best of it and create new traditions that are legal, safe and satisfy everyone's needs?
Alcohol isn't the only killer-- a freshman fraternity pledge died from an overdose of WATER not too long ago. Yes, that's right. He died from water intoxication. I'm sure it sounded like a fun idea and safe to the brothers who thought of it. They're serving jail sentences now and the young man's family and friends will never be the same. There was serious talk of closing the school's Greek System. Not such a great idea after all. Think about that the next time you dress your pledges up in fairy wings, have them drink mystery concoctions, send them on "quests," or require anything of them that hasn't been approved in your new member education plans. You can still have fun, establish traditions and bonds and form memories, but there is a right and responsible way to do it. Act like adults and the community, media and your peers will treat you like adults, instead of coming in and closing you down because you decided to act like children... or worse yet, like common criminals.
Sorry you don't feel the same way. Your nationals has embraced this policy, but if you don't agree with your own sorority policies, you should really reconsider your oath and pledge to your organization.