text only :: skip to content

Board of Sorority Affairs (BSA) Policy on Hazing

Purpose

This policy has been created in an effort to guard against the occurrence of any unfortunate acts by members and those seeking membership. The Board believes education is an essential component of its functions, and the creation of this policy will assist that goal.

Position Statement and Definition

The Board of Sorority Affairs, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's official policy and disciplinary body for all sororities on campus, believes hazing is contrary to the mission of these organizations. Sororities were founded to provide college women with associations which promoted scholarship, community service, respect and dignity for all, and where women could learn and personally grow in a positive environment. Acts which threaten the mental, physical, and emotional growth of sorority members, including those seeking membership, will not be tolerated and must be eliminated. As such, the Board believes it is imperative that all sororities adhere to the definition of hazing as stated in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Student Code, which defines hazing as "... an 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."

Furthermore, the Board believes all sororities must abide by the position statement issued by their own inter/national governing board, or by their general fraternity headquarters, as well as the "Statement of Position on Hazing and Pre-Initiation Activities" issued by the Fraternity Executives Association:

"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 pledge/associates and members.

Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created intentionally, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Hazing also includes wearing in public, apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste, engaging in public stunts, morally degrading or humiliating games, and any other activities which would violate the rights of human dignity."

Hazing activities are not confined to obvious actions such as paddling, road trips, or creating excessive fatigue, but can be any intentional or unintentional action violating human dignity such as the seemingly minor acts of answering the telephone with a jingle, pressure to consume alcohol, or running personal errands for members. Also, please note that all visitors and guests of the chapter must abide by these rules as well.

Guidelines

In general, the following factors must be addressed for all chapter activities involving pledge/associate/new/prospective members:

• Free Will and Individual Rights (#147): Activities involving pledge/associate/new/prospective members must not infringe on rights of any individual pledge/associate/new/prospective member. In an environment of peers where acceptance is the major goal, the exercise of free will should not be restricted. "Optional" activities shall not be perceived by pledges/associates/new members/prospective members as mandatory activities.
  
  All sorority activities must be in compliance with the University's policy statement on Individual Rights: Resolved by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois that it reaffirms its commitment and policy
  1. to eradicate prohibited and invidious discrimination in all its forms;
  2. to foster programs within the law which will ameliorate or eliminate, where possible, the effects of historic societal discrimination; and
  3. to comply fully in all University activities and programs with applicable federal and state laws relating to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.
• Environment (#147): The fact that an activity is occurring in a chapter house or an apartment does not necessarily make that activity acceptable. All activities must be in compliance with University, inter/national governing board, and state laws and policies regardless of location.
  
  Participating in an activity whereby another organization's pledge/associate/new/prospective members are being hazed is also a violation of this policy. Any sorority participating in the hazing of another organization's members is contributing and condoning the action and will be dealt with as if the sorority were hazing its own pledge/associate/new/prospective members.

Pre-Initiation Activities

In order to alleviate the Board's concern about pre-initiation activities such as "Inspiration Week," "Spirit Week," or "Help Week," any organization conducting a pre-initiation week must submit a detailed plan of the activities to the Board with identified time slots for the various activities. This should be submitted no fewer than 14 calendar days prior to the beginning of the program. This information should be sent to the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Office, in care of Board of Sorority Affairs.

Implementation

The Board of Sorority Affairs has removed from the jurisdiction of the Black Greek Council, Panhellenic Council, and United Greek Council Judicial Boards the hearing of any case involving hazing. All such cases will be heard by the Board. The Board has the right to call before it the officers and new member educators of any sorority which has been accused either formally or informally of hazing activities.

- Return to Top -