HAZING PREVENTION
ANTI-HAZING MISSION
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. joins other fraternities, sororities, parents and academic institutions in the fight against hazing. No one person can eliminate hazing. It takes the commitment of everyone involved in the process of joining a group organization to make it happen. We encourage you to join us to make this world a better place through hazing prevention.
ALPHA ANTI-HAZING STANCE
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. strictly prohibits hazing in any form whether physical or mental as a term or condition of membership in the organization. Hazing is illegal and a crime in most jurisdictions. Candidates to the organization should participate only in the sanctioned membership process of the fraternity. Candidates must not agree to submit to hazing in order to obtain fraternity membership.Pledging has been officially abolished as a means of obtaining membership in Alpha Phi Alpha, and pledge “lines” have been officially abolished by the fraternity. Candidates must not submit themselves, or agree to submit themselves, to any membership activities that are prohibited by the fraternity. Members of Alpha Phi Alpha are forbidden from requiring any candidate to engage in prohibited membership activities. Members of Alpha Phi Alpha are not authorized to require any candidate to engage in prohibited membership activities.
Anyone who participates in hazing a candidate does not represent Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,Inc. Instead, the fraternity will consider that person a criminal. Any person who commits hazingis individually and personally liable to the victim and can be subject to a lawsuit for monetarydamages. Individuals involved in hazing also face severe disciplinary action by the fraternity.
Pledging Policy
NO pledging is allowed. Pledging is against the purposes and goals of the fraternity and has been discontinued as a condition or manner of initiation into the membership of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. It is no longer legal within Alpha Phi Alpha for members to establish a “pledge line” or to require candidate to the organization to submit to hazing.
Note: Please include as much detailed information in your message to assist with an investigation.
Information For Parents
Your role as a parent is important as your child decides whether to join a fraternity. Encourage your child to find out more information about the organization. They can do this using the internet, by talking with members and by attending an informational seminar and/or sponsored events.Ask questions about the group your child is considering, but trust that he will make the best decision for himself. Stay involved by attending chapter events or community service projects with them. Most important, be as supportive as you can. The decision to join a fraternity is a lifelong commitment with benefits extending far beyond one’s college years.
A) ATTENDING OFFICIAL INTAKE CAN PREVENT HAZINGThe only official and sanctioned contact regarding intake of a candidate member is outlined in the fraternity’s description of the membership process. Candidates should only participate in membership activities when the date, time and place have been established by the Corporate Headquarters, and will come from the Corporate Headquarters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. via the director of membership services.Furthermore, no individual member or chapter of the fraternity may require additional or different terms or conditions of membership for a candidate or group of candidates. Candidates should immediately report any infraction or irregularity in membership intake to the Corporate Headquarters.All membership intake activities for the fraternity are conducted by the certified Intake Officer and occur in the presence of a certified Regional Intake Officer.
B) HOW TO REPORT INFRACTIONS OF THE INTAKE PROCESSAny grievances and disputes regarding membership intake should be referred to the executive director for investigation and resolution. Candidates to the organization agree to follow all rules, regulations and guidelines relating to the intake process.The candidate further agrees to report in writing any infractions and violations of the rules, regulations and guidelines relating to the intake process. Failure by the candidate to abide by the intake process or to report illegal activities may exclude the candidate from membership in the fraternity. The information should be sent to Executive Director; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Headquarters; 2313 St. Paul Street; Baltimore, MD 21218.
C) SIGNS OF HAZINGConsider these tips to determine if your son may be a victim of hazing and/or participating in any illegal pledge activities.
1) Trust your common sense. If you question the value, safety or potential negative impact of an activity, then you have the right to express concern and get an explanation. Start by asking your child to explain the things the group is requiring him to participate in to become a member. If he is resistant or simply will not answer you, then that should be a red flag.2) Is your child engaging in activities meant to earn his place with an organization that are inconsistent with his character, or are the activities embarrassing or abusive?3) Is your child losing a lot of weight, sleeping excessively or always tired, avoiding coming home or staying out late, having trouble sitting and/or showing signs of depression? Any of these conditions may represent physical and/or emotional strain related to illegal pledge activities.
D) HOW TO ADVISE YOUR CHILDRemember to be patient as your child learns how to navigate the complex social structures that develop during college years. Help him to succeed in his own way.
1) If your child is being hazed, he/she might express concern directly to you. In this case, you should do everything in your power to encourage your child to stop participating in any acts of hazing/pledging immediately. Try to get as much information you can from your child about the hazing activities, the perpetrators, and time and places of events.2) Sometimes, your child will downplay hazing by stating “It’s not a big deal” or “Don’t worry about it, I can handle it.” You should not accept these common responses and continue to present alternative solutions to participating in these activities.3) If your conversation with your child still leaves you with unresolved concerns or suspicion of hazing activities, then you need to contact someone immediately. When contacting someone, please remain calm and provide as much information as you can. You may be very upset, but remember that the individual you contacted must collect as much information as possible and may ask a series of questions, so please do not take your anger out on them.