Just failed my new member exam- need some encouragement

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Why don't you think there needs to be assessment?

Honestly, because I've never seen a need for it. The information, while only FORMALLY presented once, is DRILLED into the new members in other ways (for example, we would have trivia contests for the new members during informal meetings). I just don't think an exam is necessary for what really shouldn't be difficult information to retain.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

Honestly, because I've never seen a need for it. The information, while only FORMALLY presented once, is DRILLED into the new members in other ways (for example, we would have trivia contests for the new members during informal meetings). I just don't think an exam is necessary for what really shouldn't be difficult information to retain.

I see.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that a Kappa educator introduced a version of "positive behavior intervention systems" into the organization.

Giving the new members the information to learn for a prize has a similar effect of giving them information for a quiz. Just that rather than punishing those that fail, you reward the ones who pass.

I think both have a place in fraternal and sororal education, just as they do in schools where I have seen PBIS introduced.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I see.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that a Kappa educator introduced a version of "positive behavior intervention systems" into the organization.

Giving the new members the information to learn for a prize has a similar effect of giving them information for a quiz. Just that rather than punishing those that fail, you reward the ones who pass.

I think both have a place in fraternal and sororal education, just as they do in schools where I have seen PBIS introduced.

Therefore, punishing those who fail through the lack of a prize.

It's really all semantics and a psychological game.

Given the popular definition of hazing which confuses pledging with hazing in many instances, they are still being hazed even if they walk away smiling.

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I see.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that a Kappa educator introduced a version of "positive behavior intervention systems" into the organization.

Giving the new members the information to learn for a prize has a similar effect of giving them information for a quiz. Just that rather than punishing those that fail, you reward the ones who pass.

I think both have a place in fraternal and sororal education, just as they do in schools where I have seen PBIS introduced.

We used positive reinforcement in other ways as well (rewards for best class attendance that week, point system for attendance at non-required events, etc.) I don't know how other [Kappa] chapters run, but it worked for ours.

As for the lack of an exam, I know that when the day came for Initiation, we were just as well educated as any of the actives.

I also always thought that it was nice that our Founder's Day sat smack in the middle of the new member period, because it made a lot of the historical education seem a lot more tangible and relevant.

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

I also always thought that it was nice that our Founder's Day sat smack in the middle of the new member period, because it made a lot of the historical education seem a lot more tangible and relevant.

Oh, that would've been nice! We had deferred recruitment so we only had CORs during the fall. Although for us because we had a term between graduation and recruitment, it was like the time to come together and resolidify as a chapter. So Founders Day fell during that time, which was pretty cool. I guess it's good at any time of the cycle!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

I believe that Kappa defines hazing as any activity that is not required by ALL members (active or new member) and that is why exams are not allowed.

Edit: Now that I think about it, isn't that the basic universal definition of hazing?

To be honest, I've never heard anyone but members of NPC sororities define it that way. Most other definitions I have seen (and just about every legal definition I've seen) involve some element of physical or emotional harm, which, btw, the Kappa definition seems to do as well:

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

I went to the Kappa website on hazing, and here is the definition:
Kappa Kappa Gamma Hazing Policy
Hazing is defined as any activity or action taken with or without consent of the individual involved that produces mental, emotional, psychological or physical discomfort, intimidation, humiliation, degradation, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Such activities and situations include but are not limited to, blindfolding for any purpose; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; treasure hunts, scavenger hunts or kidnaps; wearing apparel that is conspicuous and not normally in good taste: engaging in stunts or degrading or humiliating games and activities; and late work sessions.

Under examples, it specifies "Asking new members to pass a test for initiation."

Handled properly a test wouldn't have to be hazing, but perhaps some people crossed the line a few too many times and they decided to play it safe and discontinue it.

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

Maybe that's the point- "test" can be interpreted so many ways they decided everyone would be better off to just ban them.

Our test is nationally mandated (in our governing documents) and nationally standardized. The test that is given is the test published by our HQ; chapters cannot deviate from the National exam. A chapter advisor has to verify the scores, and as I said earlier, you have to get every question right to be initiated.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Our test is nationally mandated (in our governing documents) and nationally standardized. The test that is given is the test published by our HQ; chapters cannot deviate from the National exam. A chapter advisor has to verify the scores.

Same is true for us (except I am pretty sure they only need 85%). HQ must have scores before any NM can be initiated.

[AOEforme]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Our test is nationally mandated (in our governing documents) and nationally standardized. The test that is given is the test published by our HQ; chapters cannot deviate from the National exam.

That's ours too. They are all standardized, so every girl across the country takes the same exact test or quiz every year.

They are also allowed to retake said quizzes if they don't pass and only 50% correct is considered a pass.

I really like our system and I feel it works great for us....

Originally Posted by 33girl

I mean, we have FIVE founders - learning five names shouldn't be that much of a hardship.

We have twenty-seven! It was hard to do, but I am glad I learned it...

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by APhiAnna

OK, to take this thread in a little tangent...I think that if there is anything a GLO should be able to test for it should be to test ACTIVES on information in the ritual.

Maybe I'm just a dork, but I was fascinated by our ritual and loved going over what everything symbolizes/means. But there were a few sisters in our chapter who literally would have a hard time paraphrasing what goes on in our ritual (!) let alone what the letters meant, etc. I feel it is the same for all Panhellenic and IFC GLOs...I feel like a lot of the members know what everything stands for, but there are always a couple in each chapter who seem to be happily and vocally oblivious to their secrets. That seems ridiculous to me.

Actually I'm pretty sure there are some orgs where somebody from I/HQ comes around on a regular basis like once a term or so to test the chapter on ritual. That is in my opinion such a great idea.

Originally Posted by AOEforme

We have twenty-seven! It was hard to do, but I am glad I learned it...

27? Ouch that's a lot. We only have five. Then again I had to memorize the Name, School and year of founding of our entire chapter roll. There are 46 chapters and we don't go by the alphabet. That was fun.

[Smile_Awhile]

Alpha Chi does have a initiation exam that is required to be passed for initiation. I believe passing is 75%. Every year, each and every sister in the chapter takes it- whether initiated or uninitiated. There are a unlimited number of retakes allowed, and I've yet to hear of anyone who hasn't been initiated on time because of it. The test is standardized nationally. Really, I don't think any of it was hazing- all the info is important to me, and I'm glad I know it.