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I believe (and am pretty sure I was told) that the terminology change and the shortened pledge/new member periods for NPC groups came about due to pressures from university administrations in an effort to reduce hazing. We can all probably query our international NPC reps to find out the background.
For NPC sororities, hazing incidents are not the norm. When they happen, they are against all teachings of that group and chapters are generally dealt with vigorously and swiftly. But administrations don't differentiate between fraternities and sororities, so the same changes were demanded of both.
At any rate....our pledge class did not get initiated until mid-February after a September pledging, so I was glad to see a shortened pledge period....but six (official) weeks? It's insane! I've been surprised that the lack of a grade requirement hasn't backfired. But I think a longer new member period would do a world of good toward properly educating our new members and to them bonding with their sisters.
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