Just failed my new member exam- need some encouragement

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

I was surprised to see the thread in the Sorority Recruitment forum and not Fraternity- I didn't know the women did that anymore. For Kappa at least it's considered hazing (or so I've been told) and therefore not allowed for us.

New member exams are considered hazing?

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

New member exams are considered hazing?

Yep, that's what I was told when I joined. Could be totally wrong, I really don't know for sure. The only new member tests I knew of on my campus (3 sororities, 5 fraternities) were the fraternities- so I just figured that was yet another difference between men's & women's GLOs.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

Yep, that's what I was told when I joined. Could be totally wrong, I really don't know for sure. The only new member tests I knew of on my campus (3 sororities, 5 fraternities) were the fraternities- so I just figured that was yet another difference between men's & women's GLOs.

There are sororities that still do new member exams.

It may be of interest to you to find out whether what you were told is correct before you spout it as a truth. It is interesting what you find when you begin interacting with members outside your chapter or with your national headquarters.

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

There are sororities that still do new member exams.

It may be of interest to you to find out whether what you were told is correct before you spout it as a truth. It is interesting what you find when you begin interacting with members outside your chapter or with your national headquarters.

I do interact with them, thank you. I was just saying I was surprised that other women's GLOs did them... that's all. That's a perk of a place like GC, you can actually learn from one another... in my book that's a good thing.

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

There are sororities that still do new member exams.

It may be of interest to you to find out whether what you were told is correct before you spout it as a truth. It is interesting what you find when you begin interacting with members outside your chapter or with your national headquarters.

My sister is right. In Kappa, new member exams=hazing. YOU may be surprised by what you learn when you listen to others before dismissing them as misinformed.

[littleowl33]

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

Yep, that's what I was told when I joined. Could be totally wrong, I really don't know for sure. The only new member tests I knew of on my campus (3 sororities, 5 fraternities) were the fraternities- so I just figured that was yet another difference between men's & women's GLOs.

I wish we were allowed to do New Member exams... but you're correct, they are not allowed by Kappa nationals because they are considered hazing. I think they would be a useful tool for getting the NMs acquainted with Fraternity history outside of the required presentations. Oh well.

[pshsx1]

Originally Posted by littleowl33

I wish we were allowed to do New Member exams... but you're correct, they are not allowed by Kappa nationals because they are considered hazing. I think they would be a useful tool for getting the NMs acquainted with Fraternity history outside of the required presentations. Oh well.

That's what my friend in DPhiE told me. It shocked me that girls weren't exactly required to actually learn and retain the org's history.

I mean, I guess ours isn't technically required either (maybe?), but everything is definitely highly encouraged.

[Save Ferris]

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

Yep, that's what I was told when I joined. Could be totally wrong, I really don't know for sure. The only new member tests I knew of on my campus (3 sororities, 5 fraternities) were the fraternities- so I just figured that was yet another difference between men's & women's GLOs.

You are correct on Kappa, as far as I know. They are very strict with anything that could be considered hazing.

I do know of a chapter on my campus where they take a NM test but the actives take it with them, so it's technically not hazing.

EDIT: I just realized there were about 12 pages of posts after what I quoted. Oops!

[Senusret I]

Wow.

[Senusret I]

^^^ Not to be in your business, but I am assuming what you're saying is that the NMs have to attend presentations on history, policy, whatever else the sorority deems as important, but there is no tool for assessing whether they retained any of the info?

If that's the case, is there also any objective tool for disqualifying someone from the process entirely? (Attendance points, for example)

[littleowl33]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

^^^ Not to be in your business, but I am assuming what you're saying is that the NMs have to attend presentations on history, policy, whatever else the sorority deems as important, but there is no tool for assessing whether they retained any of the info?

If that's the case, is there also any objective tool for disqualifying someone from the process entirely? (Attendance points, for example)

You're correct. Attendance at the weekly presentations is required for Initiation, but no, there are no checks on whether a New Member has studied/retained the information. I wish there was, and I think the organization would benefit by requiring that New Members show that they know Fraternity history, but I understand why they're careful. In my experience the New Members are respectful, pay attention and learn... if they were snots, we probably wouldn't have bid them in the first place!

[KSUViolet06]

My sorority is one that does have a NM exam and I believe a few others do as well. As far as Sigma is concerned, it counts. A NM must pass the exam before she can be initiated.

If you fail, you may re-take it, but you likely aren't going to be initiated with your class (due to time constraints).

[ihearttrisigma]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

My sorority is one that does have a NM exam and I believe a few others do as well. As far as Sigma is concerned, it counts. A NM must pass the exam before she can be initiated.

If you fail, you may re-take it, but you likely aren't going to be initiated with your class (due to time constraints).

In our chapter everyone took the NM test, both initiated sisters and obviously the NMs. I believe we started this at the instruction of our installing officers for all future NM classes, because if we all were taking the test then it wasn't singling out the NMs which could be understood as hazing.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by ihearttrisigma

In our chapter everyone took the NM test, both initiated sisters and obviously the NMs. I believe we started this at the instruction of our installing officers for all future NM classes, because if we all were taking the test then it wasn't singling out the NMs which could be understood as hazing.

My chapter actually does the same thing. We were talking about NMs, so I forgot to mention it! We were expected to pass it, but I really don't know what happens if an initiated sister fails. I don't think it ever happened, lol.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by littleowl33

You're correct. Attendance at the weekly presentations is required for Initiation, but no, there are no checks on whether a New Member has studied/retained the information. I wish there was, and I think the organization would benefit by requiring that New Members show that they know Fraternity history, but I understand why they're careful. In my experience the New Members are respectful, pay attention and learn... if they were snots, we probably wouldn't have bid them in the first place!

I'm sorry but I don't see how requiring attendance and making sure they actually paid attention are separate. Also I fail to see how test would be hazing as you would expect the sisters to know your history.