University of Virginia Library

The Governing Board of the Inter-Fraternity Council has
always, in accordance with state law and the Standards and
Practices 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 also
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 the 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
the 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.