Sigma Pi Stands Against Hazing
Hazing activities are defined as:
“Any action taken or situation created intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol, paddling in any form, creation of excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any such activities carried on outside or inside the confines of the chapter house, wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste, engaging in public stunts and buffoonery, morally degrading or humiliation games and activities, and any other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulation and policies of the educational institution.”
Hazing is contrary to the creed, standards, ideals, mission, and goals of Sigma Pi Fraternity and such activity by our members is hereby prohibited. Sigma Pi Fraternity addresses hazing in the Constitution of Sigma Pi Fraternity under Section 4 of Bylaw 4. As a result of a violation of this section, a Chapter or Colony member is subject to being denied membership in the Fraternity. As a result of a violation of this section, a Chapter or Colony of the Fraternity is subject to being suspended and denied a charter, pending reorganization of the Chapter or Colony, in accordance with provision of Article VII, Sections 4 and 7 of the Constitution of the Sigma Pi Fraternity.
If you or one of your chapter brothers has experienced hazing, you can anonymously report this by clicking on this link (Anonymous Policy Violation Report).
Sigma Pi also has a toll free anti-hazing hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293). The line is available to those who think they, or students they know, have become victims of hazing. Callers may remain anonymous, or they can provide personal information so that their concerns can be responded to directly. The hotline connects directly to a dedicated voice mailbox at the Cincinnati law firm of Manley Burke, the publisher of Fraternal Law.
Resources
Value of Fraternities
Health and safety is our top priority, and we acknowledge real challenges exist in fraternities and sororities and across college campuses.
Sigma Pi, in partnership with the NIC, recently worked with some of the parents featured in the Deadly Haze program to form a Coalition to educate about hazing and strengthen hazing laws. Fraternities in the NIC support the END ALL Hazing Act introduced June 2019 and have also supported the REACH Act since it was introduced in 2017, which seeks to increase transparency, education and accountability, and are currently working on model state hazing legislation to advocate for stronger laws throughout the country.
Research shows the stress of first-year students stems from a sense of loneliness. Fraternities provide first-year students with a sense of community.
They provide connection and friendship when students are often far from home and familiarity. Furthermore, fraternities offer a strong support system that can offer help and guidance when under stress, and studies show how students who join fraternities in their first semester show greater gains in growth, learning and development.
Fraternity organizations are focused on academic support and excellence.
On many campuses, average GPA for IFC fraternity men is constantly above the all-men’s average. Fraternities are places for young men to develop into leaders, philanthropists and, most importantly, scholars. Research shows that nationwide fraternity/sorority students reported substantially higher levels of academic and social involvement.
The organizations teach them the importance of civic engagement.
College fraternities and sororities serve as the nation’s largest network of young volunteers. Nationwide, fraternity chapters raise more than $20 million annually and provide more than 3.8 million hours of service in their local communities.