Ditto on what Amy said!

I'm not going to lie and say that hazing doesn't happen, because it does. But keep in mind that hazing is ILLEGAL in most states, and those who practice it are caught and dealt with!

My sorority places strong emphasis on scholarship, sisterhood, and philanthropy....and the sororities I know of also believe that these ideals are important.

I truly believe that one should not have to subject herself to hazing in order to be a part of a sisterhood. Prior to rushing Alpha Gamma Delta, I actually rushed a sorority on my campus that made me

• address the active sisters by their titles, for example: "Good morning, Miss Gina, I am very happy to be in your supreme presence."
• wear a bracelet to indicate that I was a pledge
• carry around a pink box

These girls were very PLEASANT during rush, but they really made me UNCOMFORTABLE once I had been installed as a Pledge. Basically, if you feel at all uncomfortable during your New Member Period (because NPC organizations aren't allowed to call them Pledges anymore), chances are there's something wrong and something needs to be done about it. Anything that jeopardizes your physical and mental well being during your New Member Period should be considered hazing.

Good luck to you and let us know when you go through Recruitment!