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I think one also needs to take into account the different pledges at the time before one makes final decisions. Every pledge class is different, and the things going on both within the class itself, and outside of it can change the timbre of a class.
What some people consider "learning dedication" to the GLO to others comes across as tedious and demeaning. For example, we had to do first rounds for each of the sisters--about 60 in our chapter--getting their personal info and a task to be completed, our second rounds. First rounds had to be done in two weeks, seconds in three, on top of the other pledging duties and academic work. For most of the girls, this was no problem. For me, as a sophomore swamped with sophomore essays and honor projects, it turned into hell. I understand that the goal was to make the MITs learn about each sister. However, with every silly little task I had to do, 60 in all, I began to hate everything I had to do. We discontinued second rounds this year.
The issue is who is pledging, friends. There needs to be discretion on the part of the brother/sister in charge of new members to decide what is appropriate for each class. What is meaningful and appropriate to some is hazing to others, and the brother/sister in charge needs to listen when a pledge feels they cannot do what their GLO is asking, not for being lazy, but for having true difficulties. Sometimes, the issue is not loyalty to the GLO, but personal issues that arise. With a good person in charge of the pledges, a lot of these issues can be avoided, I feel.
Whether the pledging is tough or light depends on perception, but above all, it must be appropriate to the class and uphold the ideals of the GLO. This is what creates a loyal brother/sister--a sense of meaning in all that s/he is doing towards initiation, and a fostering of respect for all involved.
~Emma
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