University of Virginia Library

IFC President Explains
New Policy On Hazing

The Governing Board of the Inter-Fraternity Council has
always, in accordance with state law and the Standards and
Procedures For The Operation of Fraternities, had a policy of
opposing hazing (that is, the physical maltreatment of pledges).
However, this policy has neither been adequately defined nor
consistently enforced. As of April 29, 1968 the Governing
Board has formulated a policy which is a major break from
the old policy, and one which will be enforced in every instance
that a violation comes to the attention of the Governing Board.

The Governing Board has set up five guidelines to differentiate
forms of pledge training that would be acceptable from
those that would not. The Governing Board feels that a strong
pledge training program is essential to a strong fraternity system,
but that the excesses that are covered in the guidelines
are both senseless and detrimental to the fraternity system.
Each house president, at a meeting of the President's Council,
had a voice in developing the policy that is set forth in the
following guidelines as unacceptable training:

1. Forcing a pledge to eat or drink nauseating or obnoxious
food or drink.

2. Hitting a pledge.

3. Exercising so heavily as to cause bodily injury.

4. Any form of pledge treatment that would tend to cause
a public disturbance.

5. Public humiliation of a pledge.

A fraternity that violates any of these guidelines will be
fined no less than $50. The IFC representatives, pledgemaster
and president of each fraternity are held particularly responsible
for the enforcement of this policy and will be expected to
notify the Governing Board of any violation. The Governing
Board will, however, act on every violation of this policy,
regardless of the source. This policy applies to all aspects of
pledging, including so-called "Hell Weeks."

Fraternities at Virginia have a great deal to be proud of
and many aspects of our pledging system are justifiable sources
of pride. This policy is intended to eliminate those excesses in
pledge training that are a blot upon the record of fraternities
at Virginia and a source of great injury to the system.