Interventions & Directives Case Study One
Anywhere University notified the International Fraternity that Omega Omega Chapter had new member activities suspended after it was discovered that there was a party with a fraternity the evening after bid night where new members were present. Chapter leadership cooperated fully and in a series of phone interviews it was discovered that the fraternity invited Omega Omega chapter to a function at their house where the fraternity chapter provided alcohol. New members were not required to attend, but were directly invited by the fraternity men. The chapter did not organize attendance or transportation for chapter members or new members. New members confirmed that they were not asked or forced to consume alcohol. It was discovered that a number of the sophomores who lived in the university-owned house had been drinking in the house with some new members present. This was not an uncommon occurrence. A review of the new member program revealed a very demanding schedule with a new member commitment every day of the week. All activities were well-planned, well-intentioned, and meaningful and if not for the aggressive schedule did not cause concern in and of themselves. As more information was learned about the fraternity party, the team uncovered more information around social practices. The Omega Omega chapter had a social function planned with a fraternity nearly every night of the week. FEPGs were not filled out – the chapter did not complete them because the fraternities always hosted. Alcohol was always provided by the hosting fraternity chapter. IDs were never checked, alcohol was not distributed from a central location. Conversations with chapter leaders revealed that they simply were unaware that they had been violating policy and did not understand the FEPG process; they were very cooperative and eager to correct but concerned about what would happen if they didn’t have social events. The chapter did not provide any other programming for initiated members – they all went out every night. Anywhere University is a campus with a very active social scene where parties are an integral part of meeting new people and informally recruiting. There is a very actively engaged campus staff with a lot of educational resources available. The social scene has long been a challenge for the campus.
1)What are the factors that led to the incident occurring?
2)What interventions might address those factors?
3)What directives would you recommend?
4)Are there other areas of chapter life that may be impacted by the directives identified? Are campus resources being utilized?
Interventions & Directives Case Study Two
The International Fraternity was notified that a member of Omega Alpha Chapter had concerns over the new member experience her hometown friend was having at Omega Gamma Chapter. This young woman provided details over potential hazing practices at Omega Gamma Chapter and also provided the name and contact information of the new member. A phone interview with the new member did not substantiate all of the allegations received from the initiated member, but the new member was distressed over her experience and provided a number of detailed accounts of verbal abuse by initated members and requirements around art projects and the rote memorization of local chapter history. She had heard some other new members had been required to consume alcohol and take drugs. Investigations by the international team revealed that forced consumption of alcohol and/or drugs had not occurred. Verbal abuse was especially severe by older members of the chapter, but not widespread throughout the entire chapter. New Members were required to perform acts of service for older members, create arts and crafts, know each other’s whereabouts at all times, and be either in the library or in a central location at all times during the day. The Chapter President, VP-Member Development, and New Member Coordinator had all been trying to make improvements to the program and to relax expectations of new members, but they were met with extreme resistance from older members. In interviews members stressed the importance of teaching the new members to “respect” the chapter’s history and its members and the importance of spending time together so they could be “close.” The officers were very cooperative and eager to improve. The Chapter Advisor in place is new, experienced, and up to the challenge of supporting the chapter through the next phases. Omega Gamma chapter is located on a campus where hazing is widespread and happens under the nose of campus professionals. Campus resources are not readily available.
1)What are the factors that led to the incident occurring?
2)What interventions might address those factors?
3)What directives would you recommend?
4)Are there other areas of chapter life that may be impacted by the directives identified? Are campus resources being utilized?
Interventions & Directives Case Study Three
Seven members of Omega Zeta chapter were discovered drinking in the chapter house, which is owned by the chapter’s House Association. Five of the women were initiated members, two of whom were EC officers. The other two were new members. Upon investigation, you learn that this was part of a “sis-dot” family tradition and is fairly common practice within the chapter, though you have not learned of any other “family” activities where alcohol has been provided to new members. The two new members were not forced to consume, but the alcohol was clearly provided by the older members. The campus has a number of educational resources available and extensive resources on alcohol and other drug programming. This is a relatively small campus and the fraternity/sorority community tends to know everything about what is happening in every chapter. This chapter is generally seen as being the chapter that does everything “right.” The members who participated in the incident do not see anything wrong with their actions.
1)What are the factors that led to the incident occurring?
2)What interventions might address those factors?
3)What directives would you recommend?
4)Are there other areas of chapter life that may be impacted by the directives identified? Are campus resources being utilized?