The
associate program is one of our strongest aspects
and sources of pride. It is very different from
a pledge program. Our associate program provides
an associate member voting privileges at chapter
meetings. An associate may represent our organizations
by wearing letters as well as holding an office
in the fraternity. The associate program also
ensures the new members that there will be absolutely
no hazing. The only difference between
an initiated member and an associate is the understanding
and knowledge of rituals. The advantages of an
associate program are numerous, and it is becoming
the trend of the future for all fraternities.
Some other fraternities with traditional pledge
programs segregate their pledges into a subordinate
group which don’t give them any rights or
decisions, but not Lambda Chi. Lambda Chi Alpha
has not had a pledge process since 1972 when the
Associate Member process was initiated. Here at
Lambda Chi we believe that we are here to create
better men, and equality, not segregational hazing
is one of the key aspects to achieve that statement.
Hazing
We're sure you've heard all kinds
of stories about the types of hazing that go on
behind closed doors to pledges. You may even have
a roommate or friend going through it. Although
hazing is portrayed in a funny light in movies
such as Animal House and Old School, the truth
is that hazing can be extremely hazardous to your
health. Most fraternities will tell you that they
don't haze. But how is "hazing" defined?
Our definition is by far the broadest--hazing
is "any action taken or situation created
intentionally to produce physical discomfort or
mental discomfort by embarrassment, harassment,
or ridicule." That's one of the reasons that
we got rid of pledging; pledgeship is a program
that dwells on the separation of initiated members
and pledges with a primary emphasis on subservience.
Such a separation cannot be allowed because it
comes into direct contradiction with the very
goal of our fraternity--brotherhood unity.
In Lambda Chi Alpha, all members share equal
rights and responsibilities. In everyday chapter
terms, this can mean:
- No separate meetings for associate members
- No separate dress codes for associate members
- No separate work responsibilities for associate
members
- No associate member "class officers"
- No kidnapping of any members
- No walk-outs, associate member retreats, or
other activities which separate the associate
members from the initiated members
- No verbal or physical abuse of members by
other members
- No use of the term "class" or the
function of a class system within the chapter
In truth, there are very few distinctions between
the initiated member and the associate member;
those that do exist are natural ones that come
about due to age and years in school. In Lambda
Chi Alpha, all members share equal rights, privileges,
and responsibilities.
|
Upcoming
Events
