National Hazing Prevention Week 2024: Day 1 - What is Hazing?
During HazingPrevention's National Hazing Prevention Week, September 23-27, 2024, Theta Chi will be posting content on social media and the web detailing the truth of hazing, sharing real stories of those who endured and combated hazing in their own organizations, and providing resources and information to help you prevent and report hazing.
Day 1 defines hazing outright in order for all of our members to identify it, stop it, and prevent it. For reference, hazing and the Fraternity’s position on hazing can be found in Article V, Section 11 of The Constitution and Bylaws of Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc., wherein it states:
"The Fraternity prohibits all physical hazing, paddling, uncalled-for-humiliation, and public display in connection with Pledge education and pre-initiatory activities. The Fraternity condemns all forms of hazing in connection with Pledge education and pre-initiatory activities. The active chapters shall carry out the Fraternity's policy and conform to this policy, not only to avoid danger of bringing discredit to the Fraternity and injuring members, Pledges, and the entire fraternity cause, but also to build higher respect for the chapters and the Fraternity in the minds of Pledges and to instill loyalty. The Fraternity prohibits all forms of public initiation, and pre-initiatory and initiation activities shall not be permitted to interfere in any way with the scholastic obligations or class attendance of those involved."
Further, Theta Chi’s “Position on Human Dignity,” further outlines the Fraternity’s position on hazing and is as follows:
Since its founding in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission has been dedicated to developing Resolute Men. The Fraternity assists college-aged men to become outstanding sons, brothers, fathers, uncles, and models of male behavior in society. As such, Theta Chi Fraternity maintains every person is due respect and dignity regardless of race, creed, color, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or ancestry. Kindness, common courtesy, and decency are fundamental to a free society.
Theta Chi condemns racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, classism, ableism, ageism, hazing, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and those who engage in reprehensible acts that dishonor Human Dignity. The Resolute Men of Theta Chi denounce any activities or actions that are degrading and/or demeaning to others. Members are expected to deal fairly, honestly, and respectfully with others by being empathetic, considering personal bias, and avoiding prejudice.
As an American institution, Theta Chi holds the belief that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. Theta Chi believes in the freedoms and key concepts based in Human Dignity as outlined within the Bill of Rights. Anyone who denies the rights and liberty of others demeans Human Dignity and such actions are inexcusable.
Each brother shares the responsibility of preserving the dignity and rights of all brothers, pledges, and guests at all times. Theta Chi members are expected to follow the rules and policies of the Fraternity, their chapter, and all federal, state, and local laws. No member or pledge should be required, coerced, forced, or influenced in any way to do anything that would be fundamentally wrong or unbecoming of a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. Our Fraternity will not defend bad behavior and has and will continue to hold chapters and members accountable to Theta Chi’s standards.
As the Creed of Theta Chi states, we believe in Truth, Temperance, and Tolerance and we shall do all in our power to perpetuate the ideals of the Fraternity, thereby serving our God, country and fellow-man. Theta Chi Fraternity charges its members to live up to their oaths and obligations, to exemplify the ideals of the Fraternity, and to comport themselves in alignment with this statement of Human Dignity.
Theta Chi has created its own anti-hazing hotline. If you are being hazed or are aware of others being hazed, call our anti-hazing hotline at +1 855-824-4840. Alternatively, if you are not comfortable reporting hazing to a Theta Chi line, you may report it anonymously to the Interfraternal Anti-Hazing Hotline at +1 888-NOT-HAZE.
To close Day 1, we invite you to take the pledge found at HazingPrevention.org