Hazing

[Aduladi]

I am curious to know what people think about this. Typically the issue of hazing is one reserved for National organizations, mainly because they are so decentralized. But I'm wondering if any locals have had to deal with hazing. So my question for discussion is:

If members of your sorority become aware of a situation that skirts the issue of hazing, how do you approach and respond to it?

[stormy]

Actually in my school the local chapters are known for hazing more then nationals are.

Originally Posted by stormy

Actually in my school the local chapters are known for hazing more then nationals are.

My campus is like that as well.

I know that not all locals haze, but the ones on my campus are notorious for hazing. From PT, to calling pledges peeons, addressing actives as "Miss So-and-so"...I've witnessed it firsthand as a pledge prior to joining my current sorority.

[lbk_kpd]

As an alternative perspective, the local sorority I belong to was actually founded by a number of women who were being severely hazed during the process of pleding another organization on my campus. They subsequently dropped their pledgeship and created our sorority, with one of its founding ideals being that we do not haze in any way. We are very open with our New Members and make it clear that the channels of communication are very open for them to speak up if they feel in any way threatened or hazed.

[carnation]

In years and years of working with sororities, the only hazing I've ever seen was done by local sororities (at OTW's campus and at the one where I work now). It was horrible. I can not imagine how fast nationals would lose their charters if they participated in what I've seen locals do.

[AlexMack]

I know of hazing in every chapter on my campus except my own (unless too much candy is considered hazing!). However, the nationals manage to keep it under wraps better and I think, sadly, that locals are far more associated with hazing. That doesn't mean I believe all locals haze. I just believe it's easier for an NPC sorority that does haze to hide under its national reputation, whereas a local does not have the same kind of protection.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by Aduladi

I am curious to know what people think about this. Typically the issue of hazing is one reserved for National organizations, mainly because they are so decentralized. But I'm wondering if any locals have had to deal with hazing. So my question for discussion is:

If members of your sorority become aware of a situation that skirts the issue of hazing, how do you approach and respond to it?

Whether it is a Fraternity or a Sorority, being a local should be realized that you have more to lose than a National Organization.
As a local, there is only one. With a National there are more chapters.
Nationals can survive, locals cannot, ergo, they are gone for ever.

There needs to be a hard line of anti hazing and more loving.

If not, then why did you form and why do you keep trying to bring new members in?

[SigmaPezY60]

Agreed.

That's why my sorority doesn't haze. We're the only local at NJIT and have never been in trouble for that kind of thing. It seems like the locals that DO haze are organizations that exist as local so they won't have a national to answer to in instances such as hazing. Because of locals like that...they've ruined expansion efforts for the rest of us who follow rules and exist for a purpose beyond hazing.

Sigma Psi Kappa's philosophy is this: The point of pledging is to make a good sister not to make a good pledge.

What practical purpose does hazing serve? "wow my pledges can swallow a goldfish! They'll make great members!"

[boots49EPY]

at my college the nationals had problems with hazing. im in a local sorority but we are disaffiliated from our college. they are making it so in order to be affiliated you have to be national and we have 6 locals (2 disaffiliated and 4 affiliated). i dont know what is going to happen, but being disaffiliated isnt so bad because we still do alot of stuff with the school and go to panhel and stuff.

[Random Task]

There will always be some kind of "Hazing" in every Greek organization because their has to be some sort of test in order to pick the week from the strong, the question remains still though, how far do you go with it?..

[PrettyBoy]

I don't see anything wrong with it, as long as monthly physicals are done and nothing is life threatening.

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by Random Task

There will always be some kind of "Hazing" in every Greek organization because their has to be some sort of test in order to pick the week from the strong, the question remains still though, how far do you go with it?..

Uh. Disagree. We don't haze at all. If we did, I would have turned in my pledge pin...I wasn't so desperate to be Greek that I would put up with that crap.

[PiRhoPres]

The only local sororities I know of as hazing here are the multi-cultural ones. The social ones from what i know are better, atleast most. I know one guy who is pledging a local frat and he has to clean a lot. As for the Nationals at my school oh my the horror stories Ive heard. If your having a problem with hazing and your sorority isn't supposed to haze (I really don't know how it works in other locals with no school rules) you might want to let the founders know. Thats the best thing I can think of if your only a pledge.

[AlethiaSi]

i'm in a local, and i'm sure i'll be nailed to cross for agreeing with the people that discussed wearing pins and doing things for a purpose. NM's have to greet sisters that they see on campus or in the house, but its not an "or else" thing, its just the right thing to do, we greet the NM's as well. It is not emotionally traumatic, its basically all about teaching our traditions, songs, chants and learning about the sisters. I pledged a sorority (a national) a experienced awful awful hazing and lasted about 3 weeks before i finally depledged. I had a really bad panic attack and the pledgemom and member at large gave me a glass of water and told me to get in the basement... or else. THAT is hazing. I understand that some definitions are broader and more encompassing than others and to some, the traditions of my sorority and others that were described are seen as hazing. I would never put any of my girls in a position that was emotionally detrimental or hurtful to their overall wellbeing. It is a dry program and we pair up sisters with tutors if needed, they have library hours and any events are planned around their schedules, including sickness, family and personal. I think that the NM's work for their letters and I know that all are very grateful for the experience... I guess it just varies from chapter to chapter but any activity that is hurtful (emotionally or physically) is unacceptable.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by AlethiaSi

they have library hours

hazing