Penn State IFC To Pilot Shortened New Member Process

[ASTalumna06]

https://onwardstate.com/2019/04/24/i...BWIo8Mrxu8-e94

Penn State’s Interfraternity Council will pilot a shortened new member process for the next two years, fraternity chapter presidents decided Wednesday night.

The current new member process is six weeks long, as required by Penn State under Greek life reforms that have been put in place over the last two years. The new process will last only four weeks.

“We believe that this will be an effective change for our community, and lead to more positive new member and fraternity experiences for future students,” the IFC executive board said in a statement.

[LaneSig]

Sigma Chi only allows a maximum 5 weeks for our new member program.

I can't remember if it's Cornell or Colgate, but one of those schools has only allowed a 4 week program for several years.

[33girl]

I never think these “shortened” programs mean anything except on paper. If a chapter has a hazing culture it’ll just keep going on after the pledges are technically initiated (scrolling, etc).

[Rod D]

It's just silly to think that shortening the time will eliminate issues. It just compresses the time. I could "haze" the crap out of someone in 4 weeks. Furthermore, shortening the new member period just lessens the commitment of the new member. Uncommitted members are what leads to trouble -- Members who really care are less likely to do risky things.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Rod D

It's just silly to think that shortening the time will eliminate issues. It just compresses the time. I could "haze" the crap out of someone in 4 weeks. Furthermore, shortening the new member period just lessens the commitment of the new member. Uncommitted members are what leads to trouble -- Members who really care are less likely to do risky things.

Amen!

Grove City (which was all locals) used to only pledge for a week but I assure you, they squeezed plenty of “activity” into that time.

[SydneyK]

When I read the title of this thread, I assumed someone had bumped an oldie. I figured, pledge periods are already too short; no one would make them even shorter!!

Originally Posted by Rod D

It's just silly to think that shortening the time will eliminate issues. It just compresses the time. I could "haze" the crap out of someone in 4 weeks. Furthermore, shortening the new member period just lessens the commitment of the new member. Uncommitted members are what leads to trouble -- Members who really care are less likely to do risky things.

Exactly.

[AGDee]

Lafayette College requires it to be 3 weeks.