Sig Ep Article

[MysticCat]

Thanks, Lane, for that info. I didn't know that about ZBT.

Still, though, that's two. To give one concrete example (because the article specifically cites it), I wouldn't say, based on what I know, that Lambda Chi "eliminated" pledging. I would say that they overhauled and refocused the "pledging" process, including changes in terminology. But they still have two separate stages -- an associate member education/acclimation period prior to initiation and then initiation into full membership. I think they still have a chapter vote on whether or not associate members will be initiated into full membership.

Lambda Chis, please don't hesitate to correct me if I'm getting any of this wrong.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Thanks, Lane, for that info. I didn't know that about ZBT.

Still, though, that's two. To give one concrete example (because the article specifically cites it), I wouldn't say, based on what I know, that Lambda Chi "eliminated" pledging. I would say that they overhauled and refocused the "pledging" process, including changes in terminology. But they still have two separate stages -- an associate member education/acclimation period prior to initiation and then initiation into full membership. I think they still have a chapter vote on whether or not associate members will be initiated into full membership.

Lambda Chis, please don't hesitate to correct me if I'm getting any of this wrong.

You are correct in saying there is a voting process on new associates.

The N A period is like any place else, it is a time to find out if the people fit together.

The idea of LXA in changing the terminology was to do away the the wording of "pledge" which most of the time donated hazing. At the same time, hazing was outlawed.

Usually there is no reason a N A is not inititated unless:

1. There is not a true fit. But it is not a one vote and out as it used to be and may still be in some today.
2. Owes money.
3. Does not have the grades.

I applaud all who have been making changes in the Greek World.

[SnuKnight172]

I have a problem with eliminating new member periods. Why would anyone want to make a life long commitment to an organization they know very little about or know very little about their members. Pledge, Candidate, New Member, Associate, etc... programs are there so that the newer members can learn about the organization and learn about and of its members.

This sounds like a "BID A BRO" situation to me. How after a few event can a Fraternity tell whether they want to initiate and teach a man the secrets of their organization? Can you guys imagine how many people have quit your organization after a few weeks because of various reasons (financial, educational, family, personal, etc..)?

HAZING is wrong but having a structure for educating new members is fine by me. You can have two diferent classifications for members as long as each respects the other.

There has to be more to Sig Eps "Balanced Man" program than they are letting out. There is no way that a Fraternity with the history and respect that Sig Ep has would just blindly initiate people without knowing them for at least a short period of time.

[TNPhiMu]

Originally Posted by SnuKnight172

I have a problem with eliminating new member periods. Why would anyone want to make a life long commitment to an organization they know very little about or know very little about their members. Pledge, Candidate, New Member, Associate, etc... programs are there so that the newer members can learn about the organization and learn about and of its members.

This sounds like a "BID A BRO" situation to me. How after a few event can a Fraternity tell whether they want to initiate and teach a man the secrets of their organization? Can you guys imagine how many people have quit your organization after a few weeks because of various reasons (financial, educational, family, personal, etc..)?

HAZING is wrong but having a structure for educating new members is fine by me. You can have two diferent classifications for members as long as each respects the other.

There has to be more to Sig Eps "Balanced Man" program than they are letting out. There is no way that a Fraternity with the history and respect that Sig Ep has would just blindly initiate people without knowing them for at least a short period of time.

You're right. There is a good bit more to the Balanced Man program. The concept of not being a pledge with a BM chapter, is that they are a brother from day one so there is no reason to haze them. They typically take new members through the first rite of passage, Sigma, very soon after Bid Day. But, it's a while before they go through Phi... as they have to complete a Sigma Challenge and other things before they go through the Phi rite of passage.

Obviously, I'm not an expert (my older brother and my husband are SigEp's though). But, there is more to it than "oh, here's a bid to SigEp, let's go through initation next week". Just my 2cents.