Lousiana Chi's View on Hazing
If you are looking at this page, you are interested in our organization, and one of the questions that may be in your mind is, "Do you haze?" While some pages will dance around the issue or not even address it, we will answer it simply, "No."
Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Louisiana Chi Chapter have a strict zero-tolerance policy towards hazing. It simply is not tolerated, nor is it necessary.
One of the ideas behind hazing is that it creates a bond between the members and that it is necessary for new members to "pay their dues". If anyone tells you that it is necessary for someone to beat you or yell at you, or drink large quantities of alcohol to be a part of an organization, or that it builds character, or that "you have to do this to belong to the group", then that person does not know or understand anything about what belonging to a brotherhood is about. In a word, they are just plain dumb.
If a house if built on a poor foundation, then the house is doomed to fall in on itself, and people don't want to be around a house that is falling down. This is the same with fraternities. If a chapter says they have a hard time getting members involved, or that brothers are not interested, it probably is because something is wrong in the pledge process, and it's probably hazing.
It seems as though John O. Moseley summed it up best in 1946:
"Pledges shall, prior to their initiation, complete a course of training prescribed by the Chapter Collegiate. This shall include:
a) a constructive orientation program looking toward making the pledge a better student, fraternity man, and citizen;
b) instruction in the history of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, of the Chapter Collegiate, of the institution in which it is located, and of the American college fraternity system;
c) education in the ideals of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and in the traditions and customs of the Chapter Collegiate and the institution, and;
d) instructions as to the standards of scholarship, culture and gentlemanliness which are expected of a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
The course of pledge training shall not include any personal service for members of the Chapter or visiting alumni. No pledge shall be subjected to corporal punishment of any hind. Practices, which have been known as “Hell Week”, and any similar practices are strictly forbidden. "
Hazing has many definitions. Here is just a basic one: any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate.
Louisiana Chi offers you this promise: Join our organization and you will not be hazed. The principles of our organization are based on our creed, The True Gentleman, and our Ritual. Both strive to lead young men to greatness. Hazing only proves contrary to that goal.
As a new member of our organization, there is really only one difference between you and the active members - the actives know the Ritual and the history of the organization. You will be taught this in time. The Brothers of Louisiana Chi want you to be the best young man that you can be. We will do all within our power to ensure that are successful in your endeavors.
If you have questions about this, please contact email our president.