Letters on Bid Day???

[fantASTic]

Yes, I really do mean that. I cannot think of ONE THING that would be considered hazing.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

Yes, I really do mean that. I cannot think of ONE THING that would be considered hazing.

Did you have meetings with NMs only? That's hazing, by the definition.

Did you ever feel stressed during your NM period? That's hazing, by the definition.

Did you wear different shirts on bid day than the actives were wearing, thus setting you apart as pledges? That's hazing, by the definition.

Hazing is defined as ANYTHING that sets the NMs apart from the active sisters. If you want to take it to the absurd level I did, there's absolutely no way to have any kind of NM program without hazing.

And as far as the colors, she said she would have been proud to wear them every day, whether she was told to or not. The word "force" is nowhere in her post. We were "told" that Friday was the day to wear letters on our campus because it was a campus tradition - no one was ever FORCED to - if someone had a dressy presentation or something that day it wasn't like anyone would get on her case for wearing letters!!

SthrnZta, you are getting jumped on here and it's ridiculous. Sororities and fraternities are not McDonald's - every chapter is not homogenous. (And hell, I think even McDonald's has a McLobster roll or something in Maine, so even THEY aren't homogenous.)

[SthrnZeta]

Thank you 33, I really appreciate someone finally agreeing with me and helping me prove my point! I said earlier that I know there will be those who disagree with me on this particular issue, but I just feel so strongly that you can't call something like that hazing and I'm glad you put such great examples up - great post! Our different traditions set us apart and that's what makes us different and great!

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Did you have meetings with NMs only? That's hazing, by the definition.

Did you ever feel stressed during your NM period? That's hazing, by the definition.

Did you wear different shirts on bid day than the actives were wearing, thus setting you apart as pledges? That's hazing, by the definition.

No, busy but not overstressed, and no.

[SthrnZeta]

Did you have to wear a different pin than the initiated sisters? That would set you apart (if you had badge attire day) and wouldn't that be hazing...???

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

No, busy but not overstressed, and no.

You didn't have ANY sort of NM Ed meeting? At all? You just pledged one day and started going to chapter meetings, etc without any formal time set up for NM to learn about your sorority??

[adpiucf]

New member ed is not hazing. It is a requirement expected of ALL the members. It has a reasonable, constructive and educational purpose WHEN performed under the supervision (approval) of your nationals.

Our sorority isn't permitted to hold any kind of new member activity, including education meetings, without national approval. That approval covers the dates, locations, the schedule of activities and detailing what the activities are comprised of. This absolves the national group if the chapter screws up.

Separating an individual or a group of individuals from the rest, and requiring them to do something that is not expected of the rest of the members, and has neither reasonable nor constructive educational or service oriented intent, can be considered hazing.

Nationally approved new member education meetings and new education practices, are not hazing.