Information for Members of General Student Organizations at FSU |
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Alternatives to Hazing
Ideas for Student Organizations
SOURCE: www.stophazing.org
Copyright StopHazing.org 1998-2001
Sometimes, organizations that haze new members are confused about how to change these practices. There are many creative ways to change from a hazing to a non-hazing organization. The following are some specific examples of ways to eliminate hazing and make membership a challenging but positive experience:
In Greek-letter organizations, the very term “pledge” is often equated with hazing practices. Many national organizations have sought to eliminate this term in order to foster more positive attitudes toward the new members. Some substitute terms include “associate members” and “new members.”
When organizations are challenged to eliminate hazing practices, some members may be resistant to this change. In many cases, those who push to keep hazing around are those who are bitter and angry about the hazing that they themselves endured (but they do not admit this publicly) and expect that others should be abused in order to gain “true” membership in the organization. You will also find that some of these people are likely to be the bullies of the organization—people who enjoy a “power trip” at the expense of someone else.
Of course, if you try to eliminate hazing in your group, you will likely encounter many elaborate reasons for why this will be devastating for your organization. While there will be some staunch supporters of the status quo, there will be many who can be convinced of the negative effects and potential risks of hazing. Believers in the supposed “benefits” of hazing may be more likely to change their opinion if they can envision some alternatives. The supposed “benefits” of hazing are listed below with non-hazing alternatives to accomplish the same goal.
Constructive Activities
Designed for newcomers to get to know one another and members, or to accomplish a necessary project (e.g. trips to athletic events, softball and other games, socialize with another fraternity or sorority, house clean-up, community service projects on or off campus, dinners with faculty.)
Embarrassing or Potentially Dangerous Activities Which Could Lead to Mental or Physical Injury Examples include walking around campus or city carrying a sign with a ridiculous slogan, shaved heads, singing lewd songs, wearing strange clothing (or none at all), kidnapping, keeping initiates up for an extended time period, interrogating initiates under bright lights for a period of time, building up initiate expectations and then letting them down abruptly, drinking games, forcing initiates to engage in strenuous physical exercise for an extended period. Examples of the most severe hazing include any of the above combined with excessive drinking, coerced or forced drinking or any activity that creates or places an individual at physical risk.
SOURCE: http://www.phimudelta.org/nohazing2.html
Often, chapters who haze new members are confused about how to change these practices. There are many creative ways to change from a hazing to a non-hazing chapter. The following are some specific examples of ways to eliminate hazing and make pledgeship (new membership) a challenging but positive experience:
Often the very term "pledge" is equated with hazing practices. Many national organizations have sought to eliminate this term in order to foster more positive attitudes toward the new members. Some substitute terms include "associate members" and "new members."
- FOSTER UNITY: Pledges work together on a community service project, pledge class plans and implements a chapter room improvement project, pledges plan a social or athletic event with another pledge class.
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PROMOTE SCHOLARSHIP: Take advantage of university academic and tutoring services, designate quiet hours in your chapter house, invite university speakers to discuss test-taking skills, study methods, etc.
- DEVELOP PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITIES: Have pledges discuss chapter weaknesses such as poor rush, apathy, and poor scholarship, and plan solutions that the active chapter might then adopt.
- DEVELOP CHAPTER UNITY OF BOTH PLEDGES AND ACTIVES: Involve pledges on chapter committees, hold pledge/member sports events with mixed teams of pledges and actives, and have active chapter/pledge class retreat. Clean the chapter room together.
- DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Visit a ropes course to work on group cohesiveness, communication and leadership skills. Encourage participation in campus activities outside of the organization. Encourage new members to get involved in chapter committees.
- INSTILL A SENSE OF MEMBERSHIP: Plan special events when the entire chapter gets together to attend a movie, play, or church service. Plan a "membership circle" when actives and pledges participate in a candlelight service in which each person has a chance to express what membership means to them.
- BUILD AWARENESS OF CHAPTER HISTORY: Invite an older member to talk about the chapter's early days, its founding, special chapter traditions, and prominent former members.
- KNOWLEDGE OF THE GREEK SYSTEM: Invite leaders of IFC, Panhellenic, PanHellenic, and/or Advisers to speak on Greek governance including their goals and expectations of the Greek system.
- AID CAREER GOALS: Use college resources for seminars on resume writing, job interview skills; various careers.
- INVOLVE PLEDGES IN THE COMMUNITY: Get involved with campus and community service projects. Plan fund-raisers for local charitable organizations.
- IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH OTHER GREEKS: Encourage new members to plan social or service projects with other pledge classes; work together to plan joint social or service activities.
Revised 8/8/2002 by Joseph King
http://www.phimudelta.org/nohazing2.html
Reprinted
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