December 18th, 2005
by
John Fluharty.
Popularity: 21%.
I recently caught wind of two different chapters that MAY be hazing. I’ve never understood why active brothers like to do that. It just doesn’t make sense to my. Can anybody clue me in on this.
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December 20th, 2005 at 3:30 pm
I am sure if a wind was blowing and someone caught this, it was looked into.
It would be a sad commentary if it is true.
December 25th, 2005 at 11:52 am
Hazing is NOT a part of our Fraternity but your question can be answered by many men who have been a part of an elite organiation, wether it be the Armed forces or similar organizations. This subject can be beaten to death. I know this does not happen in our chapter nor will it ever.
January 2nd, 2006 at 3:46 pm
The belief that hazing is good , like a lot of other bad habits, comes to undergraduate chapters from two sources: (1) What other groups on the Row are doing and (2) Alumni Brothers (sadly). Hazing, whether in a fraternity, a band, or an athletic team has its roots in proving worthiness and manhood. If a guy can “take it” he is a man and if he is willing to “take it” he is obviousy “worthy “of getting in. It can also be seen as “paying ones dues”. Hazing has been around for a long time — and the very people who hate it when it is done to them turn around and haze the next group to enter. In order to effectively deal with the hazing issue, I believe several things need to happen. Initially, Brothers need to re-affirn to one another that each Associate enters as an EQUAL. And that equality is based on BROTHERHOOD. Hazing is out of place in an equal relationship between Brothers. Secondly, our Brothers need to be reminded (or learn) that their manhood is tried and tested by things far more difficult than push-ups, running silly errands, or drinking. The ritual is a clear guide to what it means to be a man. Our associates need to be brought up in those values. If done correctly, it is challenge enough. About worthiness - given our stance on Associates and their role in the chapter - a strong Delta program ought to produce a group of men that are “worthy” to be Lambda Chi’s as they are — not how they will be after we redecorate them. Hazing is an insult to Brotherhood and to the values proclaimed in our ritual. Thus, it has no place in our community of equal brothers.
If other houses haze, or if others brag about the hazing that they have experienced in the past ,it does ot and should not affect what a Lambda Chi ought to know: Brothers don’t haze Brothers — it would be inconsistent with our values.
January 2nd, 2006 at 4:16 pm
John, as a former Chapter Consultant (as we were called in the 80s) I saw firsthand and by word of mouth hazing situations in chapters. I believe there are several reasons hazing takes place (in no particular order of importance). First is the “we did, you should too” mentality, or the “you have to earn it” mentality. This is probably one of the simplest thought processes - mainly because it involves no real thought. If we would stop and think about what we are forcing others to do we would probably have to reverse course.
When we ask a man to join Lambda Chi Alpha we hopefully do so because we believe in the ideals, teachings and brotherhood of our Fraternity. I do not understand why we would do anything but treat a potential member with the upmost respect by showing him the positive things we do as a brotherhood - the community service, the friendships, the sense of belonging to an organization strong in tradition, positive tradition.
Instead, some turn to demeaning activities that are demanded purely for the entertainment of those who have gone before. There is nothing respectable in hazing. No good comes out of it. I often had active members tell me that it “builds class unity.” My response was that we shouldn’t teach “class unity.” We should teach chapter unity and what better way to do that than incorporate potential members directly into the chapter, as we’re to do, see if they are a good fit for them and them for us. What can you really tell about a man by having him site the Greek alphabet backward or by any physical act of hazing?
It is far better for the overall strength of the chapter to bring the man into the workings of the entire chapter and treat him as an equal. Afterall, isn’t that what we accept him as once initiated?
January 2nd, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Regrettably, some hazing comes from alumni and brothers whose chapter was absorbed by the National LCA, or where hazing was long ago tolerated as part of fraternity life. It’s part of that “I went through it, so new guys should too!”, again as part of that mistaken idea that a plebe needs to prove oneself worthy prior to Ritual. To my mind, both as a new brother years ago, and later as Ritualist, the concept was not to “degrade then build up” the pledge, but rather to “elevate the associate” by exposing him to ideals and truths that our fraternity espouses.
I have no problem with revoking charters, fining chapter leadership, and expelling brothers who would either conduct or condone by their words of lack thereof. The price of keeping our fraternity from becoming one of those greek organizations that hazes is constant vigilence and the willingness to take action as needed. Every new associate member should have a means of contacting the national or alumni when hazing is suspected, with perhaps a special committee set up as part of a “whistleblower” protection.
January 2nd, 2006 at 11:06 pm
Gentlemen,
Every Man A Man!
There is no place for hazing or detrimental behavior to a man who has associated himself with Lambda Chi Alpha. It is with some reservation that I read about these incidents within our chapters. I am appalled to think that some of these incidents have happened. Godspeed to stop it.
In ZAX
Joe.
January 4th, 2006 at 11:37 am
When people overcome adversity together they form a bond that lasts a lifetime. A lot of men long for this bond and see hazing as an easy way to form it despite all the negative consequences.
February 2nd, 2006 at 4:53 pm
I agree with (Jim) Stephen Foral, Hith Pi - Loyola Marymount University. I came from an era that hazing was the only right of passage for ANY worthy organization. Today is a new world and hazing is no longer politically correct, thanks to a handful people that could not cut the mustard, Plus the trial lawyers making it illegal. History shows us the voices that cried and wined their way to change hazing, are still to this day on the outside looking in. Many are outcasts at work as well. My suggestion is to stay well on this side of the law and recruit with knowledge of the person. Equality is based on BROTHERHOOD.
Well stated Brother Jim.
ZAX,
Clyde
February 2nd, 2006 at 5:43 pm
John.
Young brothers usually look for some threshold that must be crossed by new associate members before they are “full” members. The easiest threshold that they can think of is the threshold that they crossed. If they encountered hazing along their path, you can bet that they will probably come to believe that these hazing practices were appropriate.
We all tend to think that what was OK for us must be OK for others. This is so because we struggle to see the world through anyone’s eyes except our own. Therefore, we fail to recognize that many feel different than we do or did about a certain circumstance.
Most of those who felt hazed during their associate days soon leave the chapter. They see the hypocrisy of the ritual and move on. Look at the chapters that haze and you will find that they have poor membership retention. Those that remain do not define the hazing activities that they experienced as hazing, but as the elements of a “common bond” that they and all others before them experienced. Thus, it becomes very difficult to break the cycle. Sometimes, recolinization is the only way. 20-year old men do not usually listen to older men who advise them that what they are doing is wrong.
I hope that I have answered your question. In the meantime, remember that associates that refuse to tolerate hazing, but who also refuse to quit, go on to become the most beloved brothers.
Todd Levari
High Pi
EKZ @ Drexel University
February 3rd, 2006 at 3:42 pm
Hazing is a very Taboo subject and should never be tolerated within Lambda Chi Alpha.
Being a Moderator on a Greek Chat site, I see this dailey and wonder why.
It can be harmful to an individual who was thought well enough to be Associated, it can cause the Chapter to be closed, and it surely can and has because of Risk Management increased our insurance costs.
The problem is, that whether it be LXA or anyother Greek Organization, it reflects on each of us as people and Organizations.
As Founder of a Local that forbid hazing, LXA was the perfect fit for us in 1966. It still holds true for us to this day.
March 2nd, 2006 at 4:37 pm
I know hazing is not a part of our chapter as well…because we’re not TKE or Sig Eps haha (just kidding). anyway, like what brother (Jim) Stephen Foral said, there are things that are far more tougher than push ups or drinking that can test your manhood. Believe it not, I was an international student from Taiwan and I worry about getting deported back to Taiwan because I cannot find a job to stay in the US. The fear of having no control over my life is far more tougher than whatever hazing that is going on at those particular chapters. Hazing is stupid, period.