Policy Against Hazing
Hazing is prohibited in any chapter of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and by any member of the Sorority.
Gamma Phi Beta Sorority defines hazing as any act or behavior whether physical, mental, emotional or psychological, which subjects a person, voluntarily or involuntarily, to discomfort, abuse, mistreatment, degradation, humiliation, harassment, embarrassment or intimidation, or which may in any fashion compromise her inherent human dignity irrespective of member/new member status. Chapters, members and new members must follow all laws and university policies regarding hazing.
Report a Hazing Incident
To report an incident, visit GammaPhiBeta.org/Member/Collegians/Chapter-Incident-Report or call the rapid response line at 720.902.9111.
To report hazing anonymously, you can contact the Greek Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1.888.NOT.HAZE.
Hazing Defined
Hazing, by definition, is any act or attitude which places members or new members of an organization in a lesser position within the organization than other members. This includes anything which is intended to embarrass an individual or group, which is intended to create an undue hardship or burden for an individual or group, which could be considered degrading, undignified or humiliating, or which risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. Hazing includes any expectation, or implied expectation, to participate in activities or perform tasks, duties or tests in order to gain approval or acceptance within the organization, including expectations for new members beyond what is called for in the sanctioned member programs.
Right to Dignity
All people are entitled to be treated with dignity and consideration and must learn to respect one another’s differences. New member status does not give an initiated member or chapter the right to belittle, berate or humiliate uninitiated members, or to treat them differently than other members.
Mental and Social Hazing
While physical hazing acts are oftentimes the first things to come to mind when referring to hazing, it is essential to consider other forms of hazing as well, such as mental and social hazing acts and attitudes.
Mental or social hazing can occur when new members are treated as lesser members within the organization. It can occur when individual members associate new membership with certain responsibilities that are not asked of other (initiated) members. Social hazing may be any act, request or statement which puts members or new members in a compromising or less desirable position regarding other individuals or groups.
“Voluntary” Hazing
It is often assumed that hazing cannot occur if an individual or group is voluntarily engaged. This is not accurate. Simply prefacing a request to participate in an activity or take on a responsibility with a disclaimer that it is not a “requirement” does not dispose of the potential for hazing risk. In fact, an implied expectation to participate can be as damaging as a stated requirement. Likewise, even if the participants truly will or do enjoy participating in a given activity or task, this also does not alleviate the potential that hazing will or has occurred.
Non-Member Hazing
Hazing may be a concern for all groups and organizations. Gamma Phi Beta chapters or members are not to participate in any hazing activities, including any hazing of members or new members of other fraternal organizations, sports teams or campus or community groups.
Hazing Prevention
Gamma Phi Beta provides hazing prevention education to collegian and volunteers.
Fidelity for New Members :
- Week 1 New Member Education (An introductory lesson which includes an overview of the policy against hazing and reporting resources.)
- New Member Educator Facilitators Guide (An officer resource that includes an overview of the policy against hazing, reporting resources and planning positive sisterhood experiences by building healthy interpersonal relationships.)
Fidelity for Initiated Members
- Fall Core Lesson (An annual lesson for initiated members to review Gamma Phi Beta’s policies and programs, which includes the policy against hazing.)
- Boundary Setting and Healthy Personal Relationships (An optional lesson for all members to review aspects of healthy interpersonal relationships).
Gamma Phi Beta IH provides annual reminders and resources to all members throughout National Hazing Prevention Week.
Learn more about hazing prevention and National Hazing Prevention Week at HazingPrevention.Org
Hazing Activities
When trying to determine if an activity is hazing, ask the following:
- What is the purpose of the activity?
- How does it relate to Gamma Phi Beta?
- What other events or activities could be planned to accomplish the same goal?
- If a university administrator saw the activity, what would they say?
- Would the chapter be willing to send new members’ parents a photo of the activity?
- Would the chapter be willing to defend the activity in court?
- Would the chapter be willing to invite the Gamma Phi Beta International President and other international officers to participate in the activity?
If you cannot determine the nature of the activity using the questions listed above, contact the chapter advisor and/or collegiate chapter supervisor to determine whether a planned activity may be considered hazing and help determine alternative activities.
Developing Alternatives
It is possible to replace a hazing activity with a constructive alternative that will enhance new member education. Because change is difficult for many people, the new member educator should carefully and thoroughly plan alternative activities before presenting them to the chapter. These steps may be used to simplify the process:
- Step 1: Identify hazing activities.
- Step 2: Establish each activity’s purpose and how it relates to Gamma Phi Beta.
- Step 3: Develop new activities or modify existing ones to eliminate any risk of hazing.
It is essential that both the chapter advisor and collegiate chapter supervisor be notified if it is discovered that hazing is occurring within the chapter. She will be a resource for and supporter of the positive changes that the chapter will be making.
Washington State’s Sam’s Law
Greek organizations that operate affiliated chapters at public or private universities in the State of Washington must be cognizant of Sam’s Law (Section 28B.10.906), and the duties the statue imposes.