If Hazing is Wrong, what's a better alternative?

[ECUJacob]

I believe this argument will go on for quite some time.

I'm curious as to what anti-hazing people would do for a new member education program that would differentiate the greek system from another student organization besides the fact that you guys live together or hangout together and bs like that.

There are countless examples of new member education programs that do not involve hazing. I agree with knight_shadow:

How about doing what your founders envisioned and following your official pledge/new member program?

msl2008, have you considered creating a point system (excluding hazing) that incorporates your organizations central values? For example, the chapter I advise uses a point system that awards a pledge points for:

1) academic achievement (A's or B's on tests, 2.8+ GPA, etc.)
2) community service (number of hours, etc.)
3) participation in intramurals (spectating/supporting, participating as an athlete, etc.)
4) participation in other student organizations (leadership roles, membership, etc.)
5) recruitment of future members (providing names, bringing interested men out to events, etc.)
6) knowledge of history/lore/songs (grades on quizzes and final exam)
7) participation in chapter, pledge class, or University events.
8) Chapter/Brotherhood vote that rank the pledges in last week of pledging.
9) Financial responsibility (payment of dues early or on time)

Each section has a minimum point requirement and there is an overall minimum that must be met to be considered for initiation. As you can see, this system still requires a large effort on their part to to get the points, but all while being a GOOD member. The highest number of points gets the lowest roll number in the pledge class.

Now I am against certain parts of hazing ie doing anything blatantly stupid like binge drinking or paddling or hitting pledges... Greeks are not gangs. We do not beat you if you want to leave.

Really? Here are a just few examples to prove you wrong. The members may not have been leaving the organization, but clearly the members aren't afraid to use assault (sometimes lethal) to get their point across.

Fayetteville State University robes frat beating complaints

Fraternity members plead no contest to beating pledge at Florida A&M University

3 Plead Guilty To EKU Fraternity Hazing

Doesn't that basically mean that you didn't do anything and yet I guess you were so rich or famous or b/c of who your parents are the fraternity/sorority decided to treat you like royalty

Have you considered that maybe it wasn't because of their legacy status, but instead because of their character, dedication, and personality?

problem. However, out of the hundreds of news articles I've read and anti-hazing sites I've visited, I do not recall any that had someone dying b/c he/she was doing pushups/situps/running etc. They were all either drinking or being beaten to death.

Again, you are wrong.

Chico State's "A Fraternity Hazing Gone Wrong"

Fraternity Man Guilty of Hazing in a Death