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Spring, 1989, Cross and Crescent: George Spasyk:
Reflections... on Opportunities Lost
Spring 1989 -- Some time ago, Lambda Chi Alpha chapters were cautioned about "rough initiations. Here's what the message said:
"A few chapters, usually because of stupid local customs, have confused 'hell week' practices with initiation, and as a result, have caused the regular, formal ritualistic initiation (the only initiation in Lambda Chi Alpha) to be entirely misunderstood. There is but one type of initiation in Lambda Chi Alpha and this has but one purpose. It is not disciplinary in character but is primarily spiritual. It is not for the purpose of amusement, but is intensely serious. It is not supplemented by any preliminary 'rough' tactics, but stands alone, a unity within itself. Horseplay, rough stuff, zero degrees, walks, hell week and hazing in any form, regardless of what it is called, is unauthorised in Lambda Chi Alpha. Such proceedings are outlawed by nearly all well-established fraternities and the National Interfraternity Conference. Educators universally condemn them. They have been the greatest cause of anti-fraternity agitation."
Those words might have been written to our chapters in 1960, when a strong anti-hazing statute was inserted in our Constitution and Statutory Code; or in 1978, when a strong anti-hazing resolution was adopted by the General Assembly; or in 1988, when an even stronger anti-hazing resolution was adopted by another General Assembly. No, those words were written in 1929. They appeared in the Expositor, a publication designed as a training manual for chapter officers.
Yet here we are, sixty years later, still grappling with the problem of hazing.
Lambda Chi Alpha was the first fraternity to develop an alcohol awareness program -- that was in 1976 -- thirteen years ago! We developed a drug awareness kit in 1972 -- that was seventeen years ago! Yet we are still grappling with those problems...
Opportunities lost! But for the actions of a few chapters, and a relatively few stupid members, Lambda Chi Alpha could have an unblemished record as a partner in higher education with the colleges and universities from which we sprang.
But the reality is that the problems fraternities have are also the problems of society as a whole. Various studies suggest that some 91 percent of college men use alcohol to one extent or another. Since fraternity men constitute only about 10 percent of the male student population, that leaves 81 percent of non-fraternity men who use (or abuse) alcohol. But the problem goes beyond that. Over 50 percent of students in high school use (or abuse) alcohol.
It has often been said that "fraternities are a microcosm of society," and I've always believed that. But I've also said that fraternities should be a cut above society. We have emphasised "quality, not quantity." We have looked for "the cream of the crop." What's wrong with expecting higher standards from our members than we would expect from the general student body?
The answer to our problems is two-fold. Our approach is naturally and logically in education. That's an ongoing process, since we bring in new members every year -- and we have a 100 percent turnover every three to four years. But there are times when education is not the only solution. We must enforce our policies with firmness and fairness, and we're doing just that. During the past few months, three chapters have lost their charters -- two have since been re-colonised. Others will follow.
The policies mandated by the General Assembly last August are simple to understand and, more importantly, they were adopted by our undergraduate members to apply to all chapters:
Do not sell alcohol to anyone, either directly or indirectly.
Do not host open parties.
Do not ever purchase alcohol with chapter funds.
Do not permit underage members or guests to consume alcohol.
We call on our alumni to support and assist in enforcing these policies. We need the support and assistance of college and university administrators in dealing with these problems.
These are critical times for the Fraternity and the entire fraternity system, and Lambda Chi Alpha cannot afford the luxury of carrying on its rolls any chapter that is jeopardising the future and the existence of other chapters and of the General Fraternity.
Once again, Lambda Chi Alpha has the opportunity to be a trend-setter on the college campus. Let's not blow it!
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