Line names and Numbers

[emb021]

Originally Posted by naraht

Nicknames are a different issue. Honestly, it annoys me when someone gets a nickname that not only would they be likely be uncomfortable telling their parents, the chapter would be uncomfortable having the list of nicknames published in the school newspaper. "Earth Mother" is one thing, "Super Pimp" or "Sex on every Beach" is another...

There is a simple way to address that. My Chapter has always given the pledge the right of refusing a nickname. This ensures they don't get a nickname they would object to. This is something I advocate when I do training on pledge programs.

As best as I can tell, the only thing that an NPHC fraternity or sorority chapter does in terms of membership (that is acceptable to their national) that an Alpha Phi Omega chapter would not be able to do is make new brothers/sisters in 3 days.

True. However, if the university demands that a chapter do so, they can do so. (we have an 'alternate pledge program' to handle that situation).

Other than that, I haven't seen any objection from staff in the areas of Line numbers, nicks, probate, or stepping... (I'm sure I've forgotten something)

And staff should be knowledgable enought not to object. I do see actives be confused by these things if they have not been exposed to them. Its thus important that knowledgeable Brothers (Advisors, staff) inform them about this so they don't think such practices are improper or the like.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by emb021

There is a simple way to address that. My Chapter has always given the pledge the right of refusing a nickname. This ensures they don't get a nickname they would object to. This is something I advocate when I do training on pledge programs.

True, but there needs to be the opportunity to object in private if the chapter's nicknames go that far. There is a lot of difference in the pressure if a big or the pledgemaster says your nickname will be this versus having to object in front of the rest of the pledge class and the entire brotherhood in a public ceremony.

Originally Posted by emb021

True. However, if the university demands that a chapter do so, they can do so. (we have an 'alternate pledge program' to handle that situation).

Any examples of schools requesting that short?

And staff should be knowledgable enought not to object. I do see actives be confused by these things if they have not been exposed to them. Its thus important that knowledgeable Brothers (Advisors, staff) inform them about this so they don't think such practices are improper or the like.

There is still a great deal of culture shock. I'm not saying that Carnegie-Mellon (my undergrad chapter) and Howard University have the most different traditions in the fraternity, but I *am* glad that Lisa Covi explained some things to me ahead of time...

[emb021]

Originally Posted by emb021

True. However, if the university demands that a chapter do so, they can do so. (we have an 'alternate pledge program' to handle that situation).

Originally Posted by naraht

Any examples of schools requesting that short?

Not of any specific schools.

National Pledging Standards say a pledge program will run from 6-10 weeks, no more and no less. IF a school demands that their chapter's program be shorter, then the National Office has an 'alternate pledge program' to hand it. I have heard of chapters were basically all the 'pledges' are immediately made Brothers, and the APP is used to educate them in APO after they because instant Brothers. But I couldn't give you examples of specific schools.