University of Virginia Library

IFC Forbids Hazing,
Enforces Rush Rules

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 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.