USC&A - Fraternity and Sorority Life Virginia Commonwealth University Alternatives to Hazing

 New members work together on a community service project, new member class plans and implements a chapter resource/room improvement project, new members plan a social or athletic event with another new member class.

 Take advantage if university academic and tutoring services, designate quiet hours in your chapter facility, invite university staff to discuss test-taking skills, study methods, etc.

 Have new members discuss chapter weaknesses such as poor recruitment, apathy, and poor scholarship, and plan solutions that the active chapter might then adopt.

 Involve new members in chapter committees, hold new member/member sports events with mixed teams, and hold retreats with active chapter and new member class.

 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.

 Plan special events when the entire chapter gets together to attend a movie, play, or university event. Plan a “membership circle” when actives and new members participate in a candlelight service in which each person has a chance to express what membership means to them.

 Invite an older member to talk about the chapter’s early days, its founding, special chapter traditions, and prominent former members.

 Invite leaders from CPC, IFC, MGC, NPHC and/or advisers to speak on the greater Fraternity and Sorority community beyond the chapter. Ask them also to share their goals and expectations for the entire community.

 Use college resources for seminars on resume writing, job interviews, and information on various careers.

 Get involved with campus and community service projects. Plan fund-raisers for local charitable organizations.

 Encourage new members to plan social or service projects with other new member classes and organization. Encourage them to work together in unison with other organization when planning.

 Revised 8/8/2002 Joseph Kinghttp:// 2.html