The Fraternity’s amnesty program for chapters wishing to discuss practices that could be construed as hazing came to a close at midnight on Dec. 31. During the period in which the program was active, Fraternity leaders allowed chapters who were unsure whether some of their practices could be construed as hazing to come forward for clarification without fear of reprisal.
“Those chapters that approached us about their practices were able to receive great feedback in regard to knowing what they do well, and what they need to improve, in regard to their pledgeship practices,” says Order of Constantine Sig Mark Galbo, SAN JOSE STATE 1982, chairman of the International Fraternity’s Amnesty Committee. “The amnesty program was a wonderful opportunity for our undergraduates to work with Fraternity volunteers who have a lot of background in helping chapters to improve the way they go about pledging potential new members.”
Now that the program has ended, any chapter or member found to be guilty of committing hazing violations can expect to see little mercy from the Chapter and Member Accountability Committee (CAMAC), says Mark Quimby, BRIDGEWATER STATE 2014, associate director of chapter support at Sigma Chi International Fraternity Headquarters.
“After making it clear for months that chapters could approach the CAMAC to talk about what is and is not hazing, there’s no excuse for any chapter or member to do anything that could be remotely seen as hazing,” he says.
For more information about the now-ended amnesty program, or for further direction regarding pledging practices, contact Quimby via email.
