1. USC&A - Fraternity and Sorority Life Virginia Commonwealth University New Member Development

2.  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. Excitement and New Members

4. Remember back and remind yourself of the choices that you made…

5. Accepting a bid, completing application, and being invited to start process.

6. Filling out and signing a Grade Release & Hazing Statement Card

8.  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?

9.  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?

10. If you were previously asked to participate in a similar activity, would you have any reservations? Ask Yourself Before Planning

11. Does the activity have the potential to cause any kind of psychological distress through humiliation or intimidation? Ask Yourself Before Planning

12. 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? Ask Yourself Before Planning

13. Does the activity involve any kind of physical exertion (e.g. forced calisthenics)? Ask Yourself Before Planning

14. Does the activity involve any kind of physical abuse (such as hitting or exposure to extreme weather)?

15. Does the activity pose a threat to the safety of organization members or to any other person?

16. Are you asking anyone to do something that is illegal?

17. Would you have any reservations about describing the activity to a University Official, Officer of the Law, or Representative from your Inter/national Headquarters?

18. Are new members coerced, pressured, or encouraged to consume alcohol or any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance?

19. Would you be concerned if the activity were to appear on the front page of the Richmond Times Dispatch or in the Washington Post?

20.  Were you able to answer yes to any of the previous questions?  What activity or activities does the organization conduct that may have caused you to raise your hand?

21. If you answered yes your organization is conduction, condoning, facilitating, practicing, participating, in activity that is or could be considered to be….

22. HAZING

23. 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."

24. What is it that we truly want to accomplish in our new member program?

25. What is the intent of the process  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.

26.  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.

27.  Academic Advisors  Professor’s Office Hours  Peer Tutoring  Group Study Sessions  Individual Academic Plans

28.  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. Participating in a new member process is often time consuming…

29. Planners, watches, alarms, and note reminders are good ways to help create good time management habits.

30.  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.

31.  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  APB Events  Comedians  Concerts  Craft Nights  Dances  Movie Nights  James River – Belle Isle  Maymont Park  Louis Ginter Botanical Gardens  Student Leadership Conference

32.  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.

33.  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.

34.  We can expect the following  Better Overall Members  Better Retention of Members  Potential Increases in Recruitment  More committed members.  Greater chapter unity.

35. In order to change we need to…  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.

36. In order to change we need to…  Start Doing – “What should we do that we are not doing?”  Planning ahead and thinking through all activities before 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.

37. In order to change we need to…  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

38.  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.

39.  FIPG Policy http://www.fipg.org/FIPG/FIPG.nsf/835fe7d91217664d8525723c007a7545/9c0d3c4d4ca561 4e8525734b007b08a4/$FILE/FIPG%20Policy%20July%202008.pdf http://www.fipg.org/FIPG/FIPG.nsf/835fe7d91217664d8525723c007a7545/9c0d3c4d4ca561 4e8525734b007b08a4/$FILE/FIPG%20Policy%20July%202008.pdf  Fraternity and Sorority Governing Councils VCU Risk Management Policies and Procedures http://www.chaptertools.net/site_files/file_1215715513.pdf  “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 http://www.deltasig.org/home/100_Hazing_alternatives.pdf  Virginia Commonwealth University Resource Guide - Hazing http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/hazing.htm http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/hazing.htm  “Is it Hazing?” - University of Texas – San Antonio http://www.utsa.edu/sa/so/hazing/isithazing.cfm  Stop Hazing www.stophazing.com