New Sister with a Chapter Problem - Page 4

texas*princess · #1 03-22-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGTess

Why would you NOT want to close your chapter if it has a reputation for hazing?????

Having a chapter close is not the worst thing that can happen. If you are proud of your GLO, you would want chapters that don't life up to its name to be punished. Sure, it's your chapter too, but take the moral high road. If you're charged with hazing (even as part of a group) you all go down. If you STOP the hazing, whether or not you're acknowledged, you know you did the right thing.

DGTess, her chapter did not "have a reputation for hazing". At least not that the OP mentioned. I would imagine that any normal 18-22 yr old girl would not join a chapter she knew would be hazing.

She said the hazing started during the pledge process.

And she and her new member class DID try to take the high road by trying to change the new member program and how the chapter operated during that process. They went up against older members and even alums that wanted things to stay the same to "protect the traditions" and were unsuccessful.

So do us a favor and re-read the thread before you write another post that doesn't make any sense.

The OP & her pledge class KNEW that hazing wasn't right, and they did try to change it... unfortunately, they were unsuccessful, and thus the chapter is being closed.

beautifulnite12 · #2 03-22-2008, 01:59 PM

Thanks for all your kind thoughts and PMs. Even though this is just an online forum, it does help to know that people are thinking of you and that some have even been where we are now and know what we're going through. Many of the older sisters having turned against our pledge class, knowing that it was one of us who spoke with HQ, although the sister who actually made the phone call has been allowed to remain anonymous. (Except obviously to those of us who knew from the start that it was her.)

And to clarify for a few of the questions and comments, much of the hazing that was hazing, however physical harm would have been highly unlikely. When I said "unless something went horribly wrong," I was speaking more about the things that can happen regardless of whether you are hazing. (ie: car accidents, falling and becoming injured, freak health conditions, etc.) I don't believe our chapter had a reputation for hazing (again, at least not one that any of us who accepted bids knew about).

What we have been lead to believe is that the chapter was closed more because of what happened during the investigation than the events that lead to the investigation. During the investigation, many of the older active sisters and alumnae who were interviewed "rewrote the truth", left out major details, or just refused to cooperate with the National Officers who were conducting the investigation. I know they are my sisters, but seeing the effect that all of this has had on my sisters in this chapter have made me question lots of things that might have been happening inside of the chapter while we were pledging and we were just not aware of. In the end, regardless of what happened, our chapter is now closed.

After talking with my chapter, I have some questions about the future. There is a chance that we will be able to recolonize in 3 years after all current sisters have graduated, although I'm not sure if the sisters who were members of the current chapter we would be allowed to help with the recolonization? Also, since we had a new member class this semester and they signed bid cards, but were not initiated, would they be allowed to pledge somewhere else next semester or do they need to wait a full year still? I also don't know how receptive other groups on campus might be to giving them bids in the future. I do feel bad for those women too, since they accepted bids and began the process only to be told that the chapter is closing. Does anyone have any insight into either of those things? We were told that we could contact HQ with questions, but it's a little awkward to think of calling them right now...

Benzgirl · #3 03-22-2008, 02:08 PM

You might not have known about the hazing before you pledged because it might not have existed. All it takes is one person hazing one pledge and it can be taken as such.

I'm also very sorry to hear that your chapter closed. But, I can't blame your sister for making the call. She did the right thing to many in your chapter, although many of the upper classmen may be upset with her.

I'm very upset that the alum didn't cooperate with the investigation. They should know better.

Unfortunately, I can't answer some of the questions you posed, but would encourage you to contact the HQ or a regional director. Don't be ashamed of being a victim.

KSUViolet06 · #4 03-22-2008, 02:34 PM

If the new members weren't initiated, they are free to pledge elsewhere. I'm not sure if the one year waiting period applies to therm though. Anybody know?

lilzetakitten · #5 03-22-2008, 02:59 PM

I believe that the one year rule doesn't apply to women who were pledged to a chapter that closed, but I'm not 100% sure.

lauralaylin · #6 03-22-2008, 08:20 PM

When a chapter closed at my campus for risk violations (I'm not sure what they were), the new members were allowed to pledge a different sorority the very next semester, not having to wait a whole year. I'm not sure of the official policies, but it's possible that they won't have to wait at least.