Is making a pledge sing hazing?

[clarinette]

Originally Posted by naraht

#35 "Physical mutilation of the body via "branding" or tattooing - pledges or actives." So if a Junior who has been a brother for two years gets the fraternity letters tattoo'ed on his ankle, hazing charges are brought?

They probably mean that the brothers shouldn't do that to each other or to pledges.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by naraht

#21 "Line-ups of pledge class". Just how broad is this? If pledges are assigned in order by height (ace to tail) and they are arranged in that order at some point, does that equal charter bye-bye?

You mean during a ritual? I don't think they mean if you're standing in line waiting to get your sequined hose after you light a unicorn head with your celery-scented soy candle that your charter is going to get pulled. I believe "line-ups" in this context means making the pledges line up and then throwing questions at them.

[clarinette]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I don't think they mean if you're standing in line waiting to get your sequined hose after you light a unicorn head with your celery-scented soy candle...

LOL

[HawaiiTKE]

In today's day and age 'practically' EVERYTHING is considered hazing.

[Kevin]

What do you expect? They are written by our insurance companies. Of course they're going to be overbroad.

That said, failing to adhere to these definitions can cost you your charter. A good rule of thumb is that if you can't tell your HQ what you're doing, don't do it.

[alexandra92]

I feel that hazing rules have gotten out of line. We have to sing for RA training, but that's not considered hazing, but I'm sure if we had to do it could be considered hazing.

[OneHeartOneWay]

Originally Posted by alexandra92

I feel that hazing rules have gotten out of line. We have to sing for RA training, but that's not considered hazing, but I'm sure if we had to do it could be considered hazing.

Actually, it is hazing, but RAs aren't under the microscope the way Greeks are. Many campus groups participate in hazing (sports teams are a common non-Greek example), but most don't have to "answer" to headquarters or insurance companies the way Greek organizations do.

Still doesn't mean Greeks should whine "everyone else gets to do it, though..." Not saying this is what you're implying, but none the less, I'm fine with GLOs holding ourselves to a higher standard- I have no problem with it.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by OneHeartOneWay

Actually, it is hazing, but RAs aren't under the microscope the way Greeks are.

Depending on how hazing is defined and whether you're looking at a legal definition (of which there are many) or a policy definition (of which there are many), maybe so, maybe not. Given that RAs are not a club or organization, I don't think it would fit under most definitions of hazing with which I'm familiar.

Blanket statements about what is or isn't hazing can rarely be made with accuracy, except with the obvious examples of physical hazing.

[Monarca7]

Played college sports hazing happens constantly...not complaining ...just saying.

[victoriana]

I guess this goes back to the original topic, but I don't think that asking pledges to sing is hazing. During my pledge period when we went serenading, our new member mom told me we didn't have to sing if we weren't comfortable doing so.

Now, our Greek Life office "strongly discourages" serenading, because it can be construed as hazing. It makes me really sad, because serenading was one of the best memories I have from my pledge period. Oh well, what can you do. Like Kevin said, better safe than sorry.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Anchored4Ever

Defined, hazing speaks of ANYTHING only asked of certain members....

I left out the rest to remind people that this in and of itself isn't what makes something hazing.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Anchored4Ever

It's hazing. Defined, hazing speaks of ANYTHING only asked of certain members, and points to things that could be configured as mentally, emotionally, or physically harmful - regardless of the victim's willingness to participate.

No, no, no, no, no.

Some organizations, some campus policies and some state laws define hazing that way, but not all do.

Dr. Phil has it exactly right: If you are concerned that something may be hazaing contact appropriate people in your GLO and on your campus. That's the only way you're going to get a reliable answer.