USC&A - Fraternity and Sorority Life
Virginia Commonwealth University
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Every year as members of our organization we
get to welcome in new members and introduce
them to our group.
It is one of the most exciting times of the year
as we have the opportunity to help them
develop further in to even greater young men
and women.
Remember the pride you feel to be a part of
your organization and the community.
Remember back and
remind yourself of
the choices that you
made…
Accepting a bid,
completing application,
and being invited to start
process.
Filling out and signing
a Grade Release &
Hazing Statement
Card
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As these individuals accept their invitation to
join or enter in to process do we have a plan?
Are we relying on what was done before?
Is what was done before the right thing to do?
Is are process giving us the results that we
hope for and is it consistent with our values?
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Before you begin your education process or
before you plan a new member development
activity make sure that you are asking and
thinking about the following questions in
relation to what you are planning?
If you were previously asked to
participate in a similar activity,
would you have any
reservations?
Does the activity have the
potential to cause any kind of
psychological distress through
humiliation or intimidation?
Could the activity cause any kind
of mental stress due to sleep
deprivation (e.g. not allowing
individuals to sleep for at least six
consecutive hours) or extended
isolation?
Does the activity involve any
kind of physical exertion (e.g.
forced calisthenics)?
Does the activity involve any
kind of physical abuse (such
as hitting or exposure to
extreme weather)?
Does the activity pose a threat
to the safety of organization
members or to any other
person?
Are you asking anyone to do
something that is illegal?
Would you have any reservations
about describing the activity to a
University Official, Officer of the
Law, or Representative from your
Inter/national Headquarters?
Are new members coerced,
pressured, or encouraged to
consume alcohol or any food,
liquor, beverage, drug or other
substance?
Would you be concerned if the
activity were to appear on the
front page of the Richmond
Times Dispatch or in the
Washington Post?
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Were you able to answer yes to any of the
previous questions?
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What activity or activities does the
organization conduct that may have caused
you to raise your hand?
If you answered yes your
organization is conduction,
condoning, facilitating,
practicing, participating, in
activity that is or could be
considered to be….
HAZING
No chapter, colony, student or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing
activities. Hazing activities are defined as:
"Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off
fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort,
embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but
are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form;
creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests,
treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities
carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing
of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste;
engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or
humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not
consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the
regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state
law."
What is it that we truly want to
accomplish in our new
member program?
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Promote unity and loyalty.
Develop a sense of pride.
Provide familiarization with the group.
Pass on the organizational knowledge and
history.
Develop friendship and bonds through shared
experiences.
Personal growth through challenging
activities.
Help new members feel welcome.
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Encourage new members to see their advisors
at least once a month.
Schedule a couple hours on Thursday or
Friday nights that would encourage new
members to study before participating in other
activities.
Create a system where members and new
members who are in the same academic
program study together.
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Academic Advisors
Professor’s Office
Hours
Peer Tutoring
Group Study
Sessions
Individual Academic
Plans
Participating in a new member process is often
time consuming…
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Introduce new members and members to the rule,
“If your on time, your late.”
 Being at an event 15 minutes before the scheduled time
is a good rule of thumb.
A calendar of all organization activities should be
given to all members and new members.
 Members in the organization should work around
new members schedules.
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Planners, watches, alarms,
and note reminders are
good ways to help create
good time management
habits.
Non-alcoholic events should be set up
between the new members and members
within an organization to create healthy
relationships.
 There should be no “gaps” between the
active chapter and the new members.
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Service Projects
 Movie Nights in the
Commons Theater
 Fall Block
 Homecoming
 Into the Streets
 Family Weekend
 Intramural Sports
 VCU Athletic Events
 Dinner at Shafer Dining
 Concerts
 Short Pump Mall
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APB Events
 Comedians
 Concerts
 Craft Nights
 Dances
 Movie Nights
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James River – Belle Isle
Maymont Park
Louis Ginter Botanical
Gardens
Student Leadership
Conference
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The most important piece of the new
member process is the unity created between
the new members.
Activities that are considered hazing like
“scavenger hunts” have become unfortunate
side effects of the concept of unity.
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Teach new members the operations of the
chapter and have them participate in chapter
meetings.
Involve all members in the planning of chapter
events.
Provide them with the opportunity to serve on
a chapter committee.
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We can expect the following
 Better Overall Members
 Better Retention of Members
 Potential Increases in Recruitment
 More committed members.
 Greater chapter unity.
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Stop Doing – “What should we stop doing?”
 Activities that are hazing or considered hazing.
 Making excuses and justifying inappropriate
behaviors.
 Tolerating and allowing others to be hurt mentally
or physically.
 Acting as if these problems do not exist.
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Start Doing – “What should we do that we are not doing?”
 Planning ahead and thinking through all activities before
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doing.
Doing what we know is right deep down, not just what we
think is “cool.”
Asking good questions.
Providing experiences that further develop our members.
Teaching new members how to be members instead of
teaching them how to be pledges.
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Keep Doing – “What are things we should keep?”
 What are the activities that we have found to be
successful in our organization?
 What are the activities that we are that are
consistent with what we say we are about?
 What are the positive items we take
New Members are the future of our organization.
It is our duty as members to provide them with the
best quality experience possible.
 In order to insure our future we must not rely on the
past, but be willing to make positive change.
 We must be committed to the development of each
member.
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FIPG Policy
http://www.fipg.org/FIPG/FIPG.nsf/835fe7d91217664d8525723c007a7545/9c0d3c4d4ca561
4e8525734b007b08a4/$FILE/FIPG%20Policy%20July%202008.pdf
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Fraternity and Sorority Governing Councils VCU Risk Management Policies and
Procedures
http://www.chaptertools.net/site_files/file_1215715513.pdf
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“100 Hazing Alternatives” - Developed by Allison Swick-Duttine, Coordinator of
Greek Affairs & Leadership Development, Plattsburgh State University of New
http://www.deltasig.org/home/100_Hazing_alternatives.pdf
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Virginia Commonwealth University Resource Guide - Hazing
http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/hazing.htm
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“Is it Hazing?” - University of Texas – San Antonio
http://www.utsa.edu/sa/so/hazing/isithazing.cfm
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Stop Hazing
www.stophazing.com