Hazing/Pledge Process Question

[PrettyinPink204]

I am member of a sorority in the northeast and went through some terrible hazing during my pledge process. My university is very small, only 10% Greek, and there are only four sororites on campus with no more than 50-55 members total (average new member class is about 10-15) and no house, but all the sororities haze just the same.

Now my neighbor, who will be a senior in high school this fall, has expressed interest in joining a sorority, but the schools she is looking into are very large schools where Greek life is very popular (Texas, Georgia, Alabama). I've been following this site for quite some time trying to determine if it is likely that larger sororities at larger schools where it is more regulated haze like I went through. It seems to me that just due to the shear size of pledge classes (60+ girls) this wouldn't be possible. Southern sororities seem to be more "classy" and wouldn't do this sort of thing? From my research it seems that although pledging at "SEC" schools is time consuming, it is by no means hazing but rather is more of a happy period where the pledges learn traditions and receive gifts.

I understand every organization is different, and every campus is different, and I know that the actual pledge process cannot be revealed, and that is not what I'm asking, but I'm curious as to if the pledge process at larger schools where Greek life is popular doesn't consist of much hazing? Am I correct in saying the pledge period is mainly for learning traditions - what would the average "day in the life" of a pledge be? I'm not interested in telling my neighbor any secrets, but I would just feel terrible supporting her pledging if I were to know that she had to go through some of things that I endured.

Thank you!

[33girl]

As someone said on here, hazing is just looked on as "ill-bred" in the South as far as women are concerned. From what I understand it doesn't really happen. (It's ill-bred in the North too, for that matter.)

I think that SEC rush is so so stressful in and of itself that the women are pretty much "proving" they would be good members just by getting through it.

[ASTalumna06]

First of all, if any chapter does haze, they're not going to tell you about it, much less post it on this site.

Secondly, I can tell you that my chapter doesn't haze.. at all. AST in general has a very very low tolerance for it, and if for some reason any of our chapters were caught doing anything even remotely close to hazing, I wouldn't be surprised if they found themselves in some very deep trouble (or possibly in danger of losing their charter).

As for other sororities and other campuses, I can't really say. But I wouldn't think that the size of the chapter would really matter. My chapter has about 13 girls right now, and we don't haze at all. But I know of sororities on other campuses who have that same amount of girls, and they do haze. And I've heard of much larger chapters hazing, also. So you can't really classify it in terms of size.

And again, every chapter at every campus differs.

And yes, generally the new member period is for teaching the traditions, values, processes, procedures, and background info concerning the sorority. Sisterhood events like dinners, sleepovers, and other bonding activities are usually part of the process, as well.

The new member process definitely isn't intended to terrorize or physically and/or emotionally harm the new members.

[Zillini]

The OP's premise suggesting that certain types, sizes or locations of universities are more/less likely to haze is off base IMO. She unfortunately experienced something horrible and that is really sad. But please don't think that is the norm for any NPC org or type of campus. If a chapter is found to be hazing, every NPC I/natl will issue sanctions regardless of which university it is.

[CrackerBarrel]

I don't know of any sororities on SEC campuses that I have heard of any kind of hazing (at least not similar to anything guys would go through). It's more getting presents and having lots of sorority pride events for the girls it seems like.

Some of them have some silly traditions they do that may meet the technical definition of hazing, but they seem fun rather than harmful. I think she should be fine!

[EE-BO]

To my knowledge, the last time a sorority at Texas got busted for hazing activities was over 20 years ago- and it was something very tame, more on the grotesque side and not at all dangerous, public or lewd. The action taken was extremely severe.

I cannot speak for other campuses, but here any kind of hazing- even if it does not approach breaking state law- is not tolerated. And based on my general knowledge/friendships I would expect the same holds true at other top southern campuses. If something like that is going on, it is certainly not at the top houses.

[Elephant Walk]

As I was telling one of my friends, work-week before rush is about as close to hazing sororities come to and they do it to their own members!

[Kansas City]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

Some of them have some silly traditions they do that may meet the technical definition of hazing, but they seem fun rather than harmful. I think she should be fine!

Agreed ... I personally miss having scavanger hunts. I still have trouble rapping my mind around ALL of the things that are just now considered "hazing".

[ztafromuk]

I haven't heard of any NPC chapter at a southern school hazing in years and years. When I was an undergraduate member, we used to do things like scavenger hunts and pledge kidnaps, where the big sisters would barge in on their little sisters in the dorms and take them to a diner for breakfast, still in their pajamas. That's the kind of silly traditions that an earlier poster mentioned, now forbidden as meeting the technical definition of hazing.

Pre-rush work week is as close as it gets to hazing in most chapters now.

[ohMycron]

Originally Posted by Kansas City

Agreed ... I personally miss having scavanger hunts. I still have trouble rapping my mind around ALL of the things that are just now considered "hazing".

there's a rule for us that if they're called "orienteering activities", scavenger hunts are technically permissable.

I loved the scavenger hunts I did as a new member.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by PrettyinPink204

I am member of a sorority in the northeast and went through some terrible hazing during my pledge process. My university is very small, only 10% Greek, and there are only four sororites on campus with no more than 50-55 members total (average new member class is about 10-15) and no house, but all the sororities haze just the same.

Now my neighbor, who will be a senior in high school this fall, has expressed interest in joining a sorority, but the schools she is looking into are very large schools where Greek life is very popular (Texas, Georgia, Alabama). I've been following this site for quite some time trying to determine if it is likely that larger sororities at larger schools where it is more regulated haze like I went through. It seems to me that just due to the shear size of pledge classes (60+ girls) this wouldn't be possible. Southern sororities seem to be more "classy" and wouldn't do this sort of thing? From my research it seems that although pledging at "SEC" schools is time consuming, it is by no means hazing but rather is more of a happy period where the pledges learn traditions and receive gifts.

I understand every organization is different, and every campus is different, and I know that the actual pledge process cannot be revealed, and that is not what I'm asking, but I'm curious as to if the pledge process at larger schools where Greek life is popular doesn't consist of much hazing? Am I correct in saying the pledge period is mainly for learning traditions - what would the average "day in the life" of a pledge be? I'm not interested in telling my neighbor any secrets, but I would just feel terrible supporting her pledging if I were to know that she had to go through some of things that I endured.

Thank you!

First off, I am amazed you even admited this!

Todays GLOs are Anti Hazing and rightly should be!

There are many States who have Laws against it!

If yours or any others do hazing, then I suggest you stop!

So, if you or others don't then I hope they see you!

[elleyk5187]

we often say that our recruitment is way tougher than recruitment for the fraternities...but our new member period is way easier.

i can only speak for kappa, but on bid day, one of the first things we did was sign an anti-hazing contract. most NPC sororities are anti-hazing and do not tolerate any forms of it.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by PrettyinPink204

I am member of a sorority in the northeast and went through some terrible hazing during my pledge process. My university is very small, only 10% Greek, and there are only four sororites on campus with no more than 50-55 members total (average new member class is about 10-15) and no house, but all the sororities haze just the same.

Now my neighbor, who will be a senior in high school this fall, has expressed interest in joining a sorority, but the schools she is looking into are very large schools where Greek life is very popular (Texas, Georgia, Alabama). I've been following this site for quite some time trying to determine if it is likely that larger sororities at larger schools where it is more regulated haze like I went through. It seems to me that just due to the shear size of pledge classes (60+ girls) this wouldn't be possible. Southern sororities seem to be more "classy" and wouldn't do this sort of thing? From my research it seems that although pledging at "SEC" schools is time consuming, it is by no means hazing but rather is more of a happy period where the pledges learn traditions and receive gifts.

I understand every organization is different, and every campus is different, and I know that the actual pledge process cannot be revealed, and that is not what I'm asking, but I'm curious as to if the pledge process at larger schools where Greek life is popular doesn't consist of much hazing? Am I correct in saying the pledge period is mainly for learning traditions - what would the average "day in the life" of a pledge be? I'm not interested in telling my neighbor any secrets, but I would just feel terrible supporting her pledging if I were to know that she had to go through some of things that I endured.

When your neighbor decides where she is going to school, she can call the Greek Life Office and find out if there are any anti-hazing measures/programs. At Maryland, shortly after bid day, all Greek new members go to a Panhellenic-sponsored anti-hazing forum and learn about hazing; what it is, examples, why is it damaging to chapters and individuals, how to stop it, what to do if you think you are being hazed, etc. She should ask if her school does anything similar.

During recruitment, she should ask questions about the new member period. Asking about a typical week or favorite activities/memories is good. Flat out, she should ask if they haze. If they can't give her a straight answer, that is her answer.