[mccoyred]

Originally posted by Eclipse
Background checks sound good, and from a liability standpoint might be a good thing, but they will probably not weed out the crazies. I went to college in the 80s and I know some girls that were perfectly sweet freshman year and turned into Carrie, that chick from the Exorcist and Rosemary's baby rolled into one after they pledged. I'm sure any background check on them would have shown no antisocial behavior in high school. Now something that would be better, but would NEVER fly would be a personality test. Does this person has TENDENCIES to do something crazy? If course if it was retro a lotta folks would be worried! lol

The reason for the multilevel interviews is just that! I also thought about psychological tests that would help expose underlying tendencies.

Originally posted by Eclipse

mccoy red I also don't think that "above gound" pledging, at least as we probably remember it, is the answer either. I'm sure you know that a LOT of stuff happened before the rush/tea and before people were officially on line. I certainly liked seeing the pagentry of pledgees being dressed alike, walking in line, etc. I also had the pleasure of helping out several friends who were on like and I remember the "fun" of stealing and hiding them from their bid sisters/brothers, but remember that in most states those things would be against the law as acts of hazing. Now what might be appropriate is to announce to the school that these people are undergoing membership intake for X organization. That way, people will know who is pledging and will be watchful of any changes in their behavior. This should include professors. Just like teachers have a responsiblity to report signs of abuse in their students professors should have the same responsibilty, even though these folks are supposed to be adults.

That is exactly why aboveground pledging has an advantage - everyone knows who is online including family, friends, professors, and alumnae members. While some of these people will try to cause harm, the overwhelming majority are on the lookout to make sure evrything is okay.

Originally posted by Eclipse

I've been reading a lot of posts on this and other websites and I think that more active involvement from the graduate members of the various organizations is the only think that is going to get close to making a difference. I'm talking about grown men/women with jobs and family showing up on the yard on a Friday afternoon, stopping by the cafeteria on a Wednesday afternoon, going to the parties, step shows, community service events and announcing to everyone in attendance that ABC organization is non-hazing, this is how to define hazing and here is a 1-800 number to report any concerns. Problem is, will alum members do that?

There has to be major education on all parts as well. I'd like to see the NPHC commission a video that shows people who are the victims of hazing. I'm talking about the men who can't have children because of injuries sustained while on line, parents who's children were killed, folks banned for life and or who had to spend time in jail or pay some heafty fine, folks who did not find the sister/brother hood that they were looking for talking about their experiences. It's easy to say don't haze, but when folks see the consequences of that hazing it is a different story. This video could even be done in conjuction with the IFC and NPC and sent to every college campus in the nation. Every school has some sort of freshman orientation. Perfect place to show it.

Good ideas. The National orgs need to try something different.

Originally posted by Eclipse

Bottom line is we are talking about a serious culture change--not only in these organizations, but in our country. There was a time that sexual harassment was the norm, not the exception, in major corporations. Secretaries expected to be chased around the desk and there wasn't a darn thing they could do about it. Through many major lawsuits, law changes and education things have gotten better, and unfortunately that may be what has to happen here.

Yes, secretaries expected to be chased around the desk by their boss, but I almost guarantee the the legal actions that broke open this whole sexual harrassment issue were not filed by or on behalf of secretaries!