Be the Democratic Institutions We Say We Are– BGLOs purport to be democratic institutions, that being that each member has some say in the major issues facing the organizations. Much of this is done via representative voting—electing delegates that will represent them at conventions/conferences that range from local to national/international. But given that members feel so passionately about who actually gets to become their brother or sister, and the mechanism by which this happens (not to mention the stakes that the organizations face in this realm), BGLOs should let as many members who want to weigh in on the issue have a say as to what they would want in a process. At least, that way, members will feel that their voices have been heard.
Communicate to Members What Can and Cannot Be Done (AND WHY!)– It is not enough to give BGLO members a voice. Give them understanding. BGLOs should categorize the suggestions that they get from their members’ vis-à-vis what should be included in a process, and where certain suggestions are rejected, BGLOs must explain why. For example, if some members recommend “light” paddling of prospective members on a daily basis, an ineffective response is “We just can’t do that.” A better response is “Forty-four states have hazing statutes and these statutes outlaws ‘hazing.’ In all 44 of those states, hazing has been construed as physical abuse. Many of these statutes give paddling as an example of physical abuse. And state trial courts in several states have clearly stated that paddling is defined as hazing. Those found to have engaged in such hazing have been faced with criminal and civil sanctions. In some instances, their fraternity/sorority and/or host university has been subject to civil liability.” Such an answer is likely to suggest that members’ suggestions were at least taken into consideration.
Provide Field Staff Where Possible– White fraternities and sororities often have field staff that travel the country, advising their chapters. This is a great idea for organizations that can afford it. I can only assume that there are 2 BGLOs that could do this. For the other BGLO, I’d suggest drawing upon a team of members who are student affairs personnel to serve as remote/virtual advisors. Let’s use my fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, as an example. I know of around 20-30 Alphas who work in student affairs. Say 15 of them served as virtual advisors. Each could pick a group of specific issues that would be their specialty. If a Greek Affairs advisor had an issue with a chapter of Alpha and needed help resolving it, they could email the Alpha virtual advisors. The request could then be assigned to the brother who has a specialty in that area, and within 24 hours, he would respond with his recommendations. Proactively, Alpha could periodically—say once a month—run a report on problem chapters (e.g., those who have failed to submit required paperwork to the organization, those with poor chapter g.p.a.s, those where brothers are not graduating in a timely fashion). The remote advisors would then seek to ascertain what the purported issues are and work with the chapters to resolve the issue or issues. Chapters with a past of hazing sanctions could also remain on constant monitoring by these advisors.
Raise G.P.A. Requirement for Membership (and Make Chapters Maintain This G.P.A. to Stay in Good Standing– Each BGLO contends that “scholarship” constitutes part of their organizational identity, but most if not all of them have a g.p.a. requirement of somewhere between 2.5 and 2.7 for membership. These requirements are low. I know that many BGLO members will balk at this, contending that BGLOs are not honor societies, but the reality is that part of our roots are literary societies—the hotbeds of debate, public speaking, broad reading, and intellectualism on college campuses for nearly 150 years. Moreover, we might presume that individuals with better g.p.a.s have something more at stake during their college experience than those with poor g.p.a.s. And while juvenile behavior is fairly normal, those adolescents with more at stake are less inclined to engage in anti-social behavior than those who have less at stake (see HERE).
Require Documented Community Service Hours for Membership (and Make Chapters Maintain a Requisite Number of Community Service Hours to Remain Active)– It stands to reason that for individuals who frequently engage in prosocial behavior because it is an integral part of their identity, those individuals will be less inclined to engage in antisocial behavior like hazing. This oversimplifies why hazing takes place, as there are profound sociological and social psychological dynamics at play with respect to hazing. But I have to believe that there is something qualitative different between the person who does community service in passing only because their organization requires it versus the person who does it in abundance because he or she believes it is the right thing to do or because the gain some joy from it. As such, should identify members who have a concrete, prosocial disposition or who are at least inclined to demonstrate their willingness to be prosocial in order to become members. Moreover, BGLOs should keep their members moving toward prosocial behavior as a way to both do good and to undermine antisocial conduct.
Give Prospective Members a Robust Education on BGLOs– One important thing that BGLOs should want from their members, especially college members and prospective college members, is for them to be better decision-makers–especially in regard to issues around hazing. Research shows that increased knowledge and experience lead to critical thinking and better decision-making (see HERE). Since prospective members are not likely to gain more experience with respect to BGLOs because they are not yet members, the most that BGLOs can expect from this population is increased knowledge. This increased knowledge has to be on BGLOs—what they are, what they do, and the challenges they face. My personal experience tells me that few people do a robust amount of research on BGLOs before they seek membership, and once they are already members there is little to no incentive to increase their knowledge on these groups. For most members proficiency comes largely, if not solely, from just being a BGLO member. What I suggest is that BGLOs not simply recommend readings to prospective members, but actually teach them. For a number of reasons, which I will blog about at a later date, I think that if universities offer a course on BGLOs, it would be the best approach. That, however, does not seem like a likely possibility in the short run. As such, I think NPHC should develop a web-based course on BGLOs. Prospective members, particularly prospective college members, would need to take the class and pass with at least a “B” to be eligible to apply for membership to any BGLO. The course would focus on BGLO history, culture, general contemporary issues, and issues around hazing/pledging/MIP. There would be required reading, online discussions, and weekly quizzes. The course would be during the summer when prospective members are less likely to be harassed by current BGLO members. At the end of the summer, BGLOs would be given the list of individuals eligible for membership—prospective members who are knowledgeable about BGLOs, potential problem-solvers once they become members, and better decision-makers as members and as aspirants.
I make these recommendations in toto, not as an offering of mere choices. And I make them not to the exclusion of other remedies. As a final not, I know that one major response to proposals to end hazing is that “we will never end hazing.” That is true, but the point is not that we cannot but to what degree can we do a better job than we are now.
Brother,
I applaud your efforts to erradicate hazing, however, I really think there should be a “keep it real” filter applied. Let’s face the fact, hazing and greekdom go hand in hand in american culture. Look at most films related to the college experience. When fraternities are shown you find overwhelming evidence of pledging/hazing. Take your study to the streets and ask the average high school senior what one must do to become a member of a fraternity. The overwhelming response will be related to pledging/hazing. You can take that question to the freshman class of any college campus and get the same answer. I imagine if you take that question to most barbershops, beauty shops, church groups, etc you would find the same answer. Society believes that hazing and fraternities go together, despite what our organizations publish. Just last week I saw my nephew off to basic training. I met the commander of the MAPS unit where he was sent from. He expressed to me that he was interested in my fraternity, however, he refrains from pledging because of hazing. This coming from a 30+ yo man who was educated (commissioned officer). People expect to be hazed.
To end hazing once and for all in the greek system is quite simple; END THE GREEK SYSTEM! Our organizations should evolve, loose the greek letters, and adopt new names. We could adopt tribal names in honor of our heritage and build new organizations that stress scholorship and community service. If we are all truly tired of hazing, we just have a proper memorial service for ourselves. We must realize that after 100 years, maybe just maybe, the course has been run. The laws have made us irrelevant. Fraternities are no longer fraternities when you take away the pledge.
100 years from now what do we want written about us? Do we want to read about the law passed in 20xx that banned all greeks from college campuses or would it not be better to read of those historical organizations that pioneered change and evolved to further enhance the college experience of many young men and ladies by recognizing the needs of the 21st century student.
Just a perspective
V
I think you’ve given us some good suggestions meant to reduce the stated problem. There iare areas we should look at a little differently. Alpha Phi Alpha and perhaps the other BGLOs have the right to plan confidentially. Briefly, they also are entitled to membership processees containing rites of passage and rituals.
Your suggested ‘field staff’ is a call for a specific human resources type configuration of the group already holding responsibility for the Fraternity’s membership intake process. Is that necessary? A LOL reaction is – Why not let clergy admit new members and perform all rites in a church the same as baptisms. The serious response is: Each member – regardless of their vocation +/or 9 to 5 careers – has agreed to uphold the Fraternity’s rules and regulations. We all know what behavior is acceptable.
Communicate to Members What Can and Cannot Be Done (AND WHY!)– This is normally done with a group of already concerned members. The ones who are financial/active and have the most to loose. Take the message to the streets to those that are not financial/active and have open and honest dialogue with them.
Provide Field Staff Where Possible– Most of our BGLOs have this in the form of state, regional, and national teams that are dedicated to membership intake. I think the thing that is missing is the accountability by these individuals/groups to the body. Most are just in name and not in action. They have nice reports to the body but don’t have the hands on approach that is needed to combat the problem.
Raise G.P.A. Requirement for Membership (and Make Chapters Maintain This G.P.A. to Stay in Good Standing– What is the average G.P.A. for minorities on a college campus? If they come to college in masses but maintain low G.P.A.s on average they won’t be available candidates for our organizations. Great idea except that would get rid of several of our chapters at the undergraduate level. But more importantly our national headquarters wouldn’t agree across the board. Membership intake has been turned into this huge fundraiser for our organizations. So it is about money not quality. If it were about quality the G.P.As would have never came down over the years. I think at least a 2.7 is a start. Let’s not just focus G.P.A requirements on the undergraduates. If you don’t have it at the graduate level when you graduate then you have to wait a minimum of 5 years. OR Have completed a graduate degree whichever comes first.
Require Documented Community Service Hours for Membership (and Make Chapters Maintain a Requisite Number of Community Service Hours to Remain Active)– This is happening in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. now. The International/District are holding chapters accountable for turning in documented community service hours.
Give Prospective Members a Robust Education on BGLOs– Great idea here with this one recommended change. The web based class should be an option but not the only option. We have enough individuals who are qualified to teach a class on BGLOs. The curriculum should be edited/adopted by NPHC but taught on various campuses throughout the globe. Similar classes are already taking place on campuses now.
Peace and blessings all!
I’ve seen all the negatives about hazing and for the most part, many of you have valid points. At the same time, there are some of us who do beleive in the process and its outcome. Pledging taught me so much about my self and how much I am capable of. I made a choice and have NO regrets at all. I became a member of my frat the same way my grandfather and father and brother became members. We will forever hold that bond. Ok yes, people do get out of control and yes some get ignorant and that needs to stop. But, we need to be mindful of why we have the process and how important tradition is to greek life. Those of you who have not had the chance to pledge, you have missed out on an oppertunity at history and tradition. Why shouldn’t you have to earn your greekdom?If everyone could doit they would. I think it should be a choice and each choice should be excepted. To say one way is good and the other bad is a matter of oppinon and nothing else. As many people who have complaints about the process, there are just as many who think highly of it. Example, my friend Art is from Cali, he grew up in a gang infested neighborhood and left to get a fresh start. He had a mentality that was getting in the way of him being a great student. It was pledging that helped him find his inner strength and courage to permenately remove him self from that life style. Pledging did that, if you haven’t done it, don’t down it, try to understand it. Since when is hard work and structure a bad thing?
Vince says that frats are no longer frats when you take away pledging. Let me comment on that using my organization, Alpha Phi Alpha, as an example.
Our historic documents suggest that our early initiates, including the first initiates, were not “pledged” in the common sense of the word. In fact, they became members in ONE NIGHT! Our Jewels, travelling to other chapters years after the founding of Alpha, witnessed initiation practices that they did not agree with. One commented that (and I’m paraphrasing) what he saw was NOT THE INTENT of the founders, and that none of the founders and early initates endured such processes.
I go around and hear tons of Alphas say — we need to get back to our roots; pledging worked since the beginning, so we should make it work now; etc. Such statements demonstrate a lack of understanding of our earliest and original traditions.
I understand the developmental effects a process like pledging has. However, we must ask ourselves what our BGLOs are there to do? I tell all aspirants I meet who are apprehensive about how they’ll be perceived if they don’t pledge this — As an Alpha, I’m not here to make you a man. I’m here to help make you a better man, and better scholar, and a better community and global citizen. If you have issues with being a man, you need to go elsewhere. Alpha is “the school for the BETTER MAKING OF MEN.” This implies you come to the front door as a MAN, and with qualities that indicate promise and potential for greatness.
If you want a self-help process…join the military. I’ve been to basic training; it’s a great personal development process. The Army taught me how to kill a man…Alpha’s goal should be a tad bit different, no? Unfortunately, too many of our BGLO members have done more killing than some American soldiers! Shameful!!
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Bro. Parks, I must continue to disagree with your notion of GPA. Using similar logic, Brothers and chapters at more prestigious universities should be less likely to do deviant acts than others, since their degrees would (theoretically) be worth much more in the labor market. Last I checked, Alpha chapter at Cornell gets into as much hazing trouble as chapters at West Podunk State University…just my $0.02. (Sorry Alpha chapter alumni…many of whom I know well, lol).
I think we should leave GPA requirements as they are. I was a Biology Major in college, and I witnessed many Education, Psychology and Sociology,etc. majors with very high GPAs and couldn’t pass 100 level math and science classes. So anytime you compare GPAs of Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and Pharmacy, etc. majors with those of Education, Sociology, etc. majors, you’re comparing apples to oranges, in most cases.