[SpartyGirl]

All of those are hazing, and include varying degrees of risk (physical and mental).

For those that asked why making the pledges (new members or NMs) plan and carry out an event is hazing.... it's hazing by the definition of "making" the NMs DO anything, and it's hazing by the definition of having them do it but not the actives. The emphasis should be placed on having event planning involving actives and NMs. The idea is to involve NMs in the SAME WAY as actives, bringing them into the circle of sisterhood right from the start and NOT isolating them or highlighting them by treating them differently. They should NEVER be treated any differently from actives. The only difference is that they are NEW to the organization and have less knowledge of the organization (its history and its ritual). They should be asked to participate in the same committees that plan philanthropy events, social events, etc. (but not REQUIRED to participate). The only thing that should be different for them is attending meetings to learn the Frat Ed materials. NMs should be allowed to attend regularly scheduled chapter meetings with the actives (assuming some ritual takes place before a meeting, have the NMs stay in a place away from the meeting until ritual is over, then bring them into the chapter meeting so they can become interested and involved in chapter operations.

In the same vein, the other events like scavenger hunts and kidnappings, etc show a difference in how the NMs are being treated, PLUS, those events tend to build strong relationships AMONG the pledge class. This is not necessarily a good thing. Pledge class solidarity tends to cause "cliques" and other organizational weaknesses. Chapters should strive to blend those NMs into the chapter and avoid "pledge class" identity.