John Carroll University 2017 Sorority Recruitment Booklet 2017 Sorority Recruitment Guide_JCU Panhellenic Co | Page 8

NEW MEMBER process
HAZING
Hazing can be defined as the following– “the
imposi*on of strenuous, oIen humilia*ng,
tasks as part of a program of rigorous
physical training and ini*a*on.” Hazing can
happen in a sorority, fraternity, sports team,
club– basically any organiza*on. Hazing is
typically imposed on new members of an
organiza*on as a way for a new member to
“prove” they deserve to be in that
organiza*on. This includes physical hazing
ac*vi*es, like being forced to run three
miles or being forced to get coffee for an
older member of your sorority, or non-
physical hazing ac*vi*es, like being forced to
tweet something embarrassing about
yourself, a sister, or a girl in a different
sorority. Hazing ac*vi*es are usually
“unofficial” events and not a part of your
sorority’s new member educa*on program
that is mandated by your sorority’s
headquarters.
Our Fraternity and Sorority Life system at
John Carroll University, as well as the
Na*onal Panhellenic Conference, does not
tolerate any form of hazing. We care deeply
about your well being as a new member,
and never want you to feel threatened,
uncomfortable, or forced to do something in
order to “prove your loyalty” to your
chapter.
7
NEW MEMBER PROCESS
Once you are extended and accept a bid to a
sorority, you are officially a new member of
that sorority. Every sorority has a different
new member process that is a different length.
Typically, the new member process is a couple
of weeks and consists of mee*ngs with your
pledge class and chapter’s New Member
Educator. You will learn about your sorority’s
history, as well as your specific chapter’s
expecta*ons and rules of being a member. The
purpose of the new member period is to
educate you as a new member about your
sorority, as well as grow closer with your
fellow new members, as well as older
members of your sorority.
During your new member period, you typically
receive your “big”– usually an older girl in
your sorority who is essen*ally your mentor
and someone to look up to. She can teach you
more about your sorority, as well as make you
feel even more welcomed into your chapter.
The new member period concludes with being
ini*ated into your sorority. Each chapter has a
different ini*a*on process, and this process is
completely secre*ve.
Once you are ini*ated into your chapter,
congrats– you are officially a member of your
sorority!