Board of Fraternity Affairs (BFA) Policy on Hazing
Fraternities at the University of Illinois will follow and adhere to the "Statement of Position on Hazing and Pre-Initiation Activities" issued by the Fraternity Executives Association (and subscribed to by every general fraternity) as well as any other position statement issued by their own international or national governing board, or by their general fraternity headquarters.
The Fraternity Executives Association has stated its position, periodically, in support of constructive educational and inspirational programs and has asserted unequivocally its opposition to hazing and pre-initiation activities which do not contribute to the positive development and welfare of pledges/associates and members.
Because hazing and other pseudo-initiation practices have not been rejected and eradicated completely in undergraduate activities and therefore remain a menace to the well-being of the College Fraternity Community, the Fraternity Executives Association reaffirms and reasserts its position on this question.
- The Association believes that true fraternalism is nurtured in an atmosphere of social and moral responsibility, respect for duly constituted authority and loyalty to the principles of higher education.
- The Association further believes that while social behavior cannot be legislated, a fraternity without morally sound precepts and practices is not a constructive influence upon college students.
- The Association further believes that a fraternity has a solemn obligation in the development of its pledges/associates and members and that this responsibility extends alike to the institutions where it is represented; to parents and others who make possible the education of pledges/associates and members; to the communities where chapters are accountable for good citizenship; and to the college fraternity system of which it is a part.
- The Association further believes that while much progress has been made, one of the most damaging instruments to the fraternity system is the employment of a program of education which includes hazing, and that this unproductive, ridiculous and hazardous custom has no rightful place in the fraternity system.
- The Association defines hazing 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 and situations includes 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 the confines of the house; wearing, publicly, apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, late work sessions which interfere with scholastic activities and any other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution.
If any chapter at the University of Illinois believes there is a need to hold a "Help Week," "Spirit Week," "Inspiration Week," a plan for this period, with identified time slots for the various activities, must be filed in the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs office before the period begins. It is assumed that if such a week is held that during this time period pledges/associate members will be allowed a minimum of seven hours of uninterrupted sleep, time for personal hygiene and meals, and that any work done will be directed toward chapter house improvement or toward a similar goal (e.g. community service or personal improvement).
Your chapter must be open at all times during this period and must allow any staff member to enter the premises, observe the activities, and talk with the pledges/associate members engaged in the activities. The privacy of your ritual ceremony time will always be respected, though it is assumed that you will not claim "ritual privilege" for a whole week's worth of activities! It is expected that there will be no shades drawn or windows papered over, as such situations will suggest that hazing activities are taking place.
The Board of Fraternity Affairs has removed from the jurisdiction of the Black Greek Council, Interfraternity Council, and United Greek Council Judicial Boards the hearing of any case involving hazing. All such cases will be heard by the Board of Fraternity Affairs; the Board has the right to call before it the officers and pledge educators of any chapter that has been accused either formally or informally of hazing activities.
In general, the following factors must be addressed for all chapter activities involving pledges/associate members:
- Environment: The location of an activity can result in differing perceptions. An acceptable event inside the chapter house may be questioned outside the house.
- Individual Rights: Activities involving pledge/associate members must not infringe on rights of any individual pledge/associate member.
- Free Will: In an environment of peers where acceptance is the major goal, the exercise of free will is restricted. "Optional" activities are perceived as mandatory activities.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Student Code defines hazing as "any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of any person, or that defaces, destroys, or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization."
Adopted 1986; Reaffirmed 1993; 2001
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