New Sister with a Chapter Problem

basket96 · #1 03-07-2008, 07:27 PM

Twenty-one fraternity and sorority organizations have teamed up to create an anti-hazing hotline that anyone can use to report incidents of hazing anonymously. The toll-free number — (888) NOT-HAZE, or (888) 668-4293 — will connect callers with a voice-mail service at the office of Manley Burke, a law firm in Cincinnati that publishes Fraternal Law, a newsletter that chronicles legal issues involving fraternities, sororities, and higher education. According to a news release, the law firm will forward reports of alleged hazing to the appropriate fraternity or sorority, whether or not it is a sponsor of the hotline, and will notify the authorities, if required by law. The 21 founding sponsors account for just over one-third of all members of campus fraternal organizations

Thetagirl218 · #2 03-08-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basket96

Twenty-one fraternity and sorority organizations have teamed up to create an anti-hazing hotline that anyone can use to report incidents of hazing anonymously. The toll-free number — (888) NOT-HAZE, or (888) 668-4293 — will connect callers with a voice-mail service at the office of Manley Burke, a law firm in Cincinnati that publishes Fraternal Law, a newsletter that chronicles legal issues involving fraternities, sororities, and higher education. According to a news release, the law firm will forward reports of alleged hazing to the appropriate fraternity or sorority, whether or not it is a sponsor of the hotline, and will notify the authorities, if required by law. The 21 founding sponsors account for just over one-third of all members of campus fraternal organizations

I saw this post earlier, I thought Theta was part of that or something similar. It maybe they have a hotline just for the sorority. I agree with many of the ideas listed above, but I do believe this needs to be reported to HQ. If you are in an NPC, anti-hazing policies should be in your New Member handbook, and also ways it can be reported. If a new member ever feels threatened about a hazing situation she should report it! And believe me your HQ will listen to you!!!

beautifulnite12 · #3 03-21-2008, 07:38 PM

Update: Hi all. Just wanted to make a quick update for anyone who is interested. After bringing up the situation at chapter and seeing the large amount of resistance from alumnae and active sisters, one of my pledge sisters decided to make a call to Head Quarters. After an investigation, I am sad to report that our chapter is no longer open. My sorority experience ended before it really began.

ree-Xi · #4 03-21-2008, 07:54 PM

Yikes, I am really sad for you but the safety of members is paramount. What is the official status of your sorority now? Suspended? Was the charter revoked?

Best of luck to you and congratulations for those of you who spoke up. Sometimes doing the right thing is really hard.

fantASTic · #5 03-21-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beautifulnite12

Update: Hi all. Just wanted to make a quick update for anyone who is interested. After bringing up the situation at chapter and seeing the large amount of resistance from alumnae and active sisters, one of my pledge sisters decided to make a call to Head Quarters. After an investigation, I am sad to report that our chapter is no longer open. My sorority experience ended before it really began.

That is unfortunate. Did they allow you alum status? I hope so. Don't forget that you can STILL be involved as an alumna.

You did the right thing. It's better to blow the alarm now than it would be to wait until something terrible happened and the police got involved.

beautifulnite12 · #6 03-21-2008, 08:07 PM

We are waiting for final confirmation on who has been offered what status - some sisters are being offered alum status while others are not. Our chapter's charter has been revoked.

Elephant Walk · #7 03-21-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beautifulnite12

Update: Hi all. Just wanted to make a quick update for anyone who is interested. After bringing up the situation at chapter and seeing the large amount of resistance from alumnae and active sisters, one of my pledge sisters decided to make a call to Head Quarters. After an investigation, I am sad to report that our chapter is no longer open. My sorority experience ended before it really began.

I apologize for your loss.

However...

People said this was going to happen:

Quote:

Don't go to nationals... that would destroy your entire chapter. Stand up for the pledges when its happening or refuse to be present at any such events- threatening a call to nationals if you receive punishment for your refusal to participate. Its hard to change tradition though, as you've discovered.

or..

Quote:

Don't go to the anti-hazing hotline.

Seriously, deal it yourself, ply power around. It's not hard to change the chapter unless it's more than 200 people.

honeychile · #8 03-21-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beautifulnite12

Update: Hi all. Just wanted to make a quick update for anyone who is interested. After bringing up the situation at chapter and seeing the large amount of resistance from alumnae and active sisters, one of my pledge sisters decided to make a call to Head Quarters. After an investigation, I am sad to report that our chapter is no longer open. My sorority experience ended before it really began.

(my bold)

Shame on them. I hope that you have a chance to be involved with a really wonderful alumnae association, and learn what your sorority is really all about. And if you so desire, become an advisor to a chapter. You seem to have exactly what's needed!

AOII Angel · #9 03-22-2008, 08:41 AM

The situation must have been far worse than she let on to have the nationals close the chapter. The behavior sounds pretty engrained if the alumnae refused to change! Beautifulnite...I'm sorry that your class, who wanted to make a change, will not be allowed to continue your chapter. Maybe you guys should band together and petition your nationals to let you guys rebuild the chapter. Of course, things may be way past that stage. Best of luck.

Zillini · #10 03-22-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

The situation must have been far worse than she let on to have the nationals close the chapter. The behavior sounds pretty engrained if the alumnae refused to change! Beautifulnite...I'm sorry that your class, who wanted to make a change, will not be allowed to continue your chapter. Maybe you guys should band together and petition your nationals to let you guys rebuild the chapter. Of course, things may be way past that stage. Best of luck.

My thoughts exactly. Inat'l must have discovered severe hazing and not just piddly stuff like the OP suggested. In my personal experience I've never heard of a chapter getting shut down over minor hazing. Put on probation, including social, and chapter wide education programming yes, but never losing a charter. I suspect HQ also discovered little remorse or willingness to change.

For your sake beautifulnite and those who wanted to change things with you, I'm sorry it came to this. I'm sorry you were not able to change your other sisters minds. I'm sorry that the hazers were not willing to realize they were putting their new members' lives, their own membership and the chapter's charter in jeopardy.

I know it's little consolation to you, but your Inat'l must protect the organization as a whole. The actions of one chapter can have severe ramifications for the whole org. Hazing can be dangerous and we must protect our newest members. Lawsuits can cost big bucks and the negative publicity that always comes about paints the entire org as guilty.

LegallyBrunette · #11 03-22-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

(my bold)

Shame on them. I hope that you have a chance to be involved with a really wonderful alumnae association, and learn what your sorority is really all about. And if you so desire, become an advisor to a chapter. You seem to have exactly what's needed!

I am so sorry to hear about your chapter closing and it is truly a shame that some alumnae were unsupportive. I agree with honey that if you have the opportunity, you should try to remain involved. Although I'd imagine it's very hard to recognize right now, all of the NPC orgs are much bigger than their collegiate chapters and you can still have a positive experience as an alumna. Best wishes.

texas*princess · #12 03-22-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

The situation must have been far worse than she let on to have the nationals close the chapter. The behavior sounds pretty engrained if the alumnae refused to change! Beautifulnite...I'm sorry that your class, who wanted to make a change, will not be allowed to continue your chapter. Maybe you guys should band together and petition your nationals to let you guys rebuild the chapter. Of course, things may be way past that stage. Best of luck.

I think you are right, but on the other hand, she said something to the effect of 'it's not really that bad, unless something horrible went wrong'.