I have a couple of problems/questions with your quarter system of pledgeship.
Are most of the problems that get guys kicked out personal things, like the pledge doesn't say hello to you while on campus, or talks to a girl that you are trying to hook up with...or are the reasons things that could be considered more important in the building of the strong house...things like poor GPA (obviously difficult to judge in only a quarter of classes), not goign to class, drinking too much, destruction of property, problems with handleing himself when at parties and dealing with girls, or the general not upholding of the ideals of what a member of your GLO should be.
To me the personal issues are poor reasons for kicking someone out, b/c there is going to people who don't necessarily end up being great friends in any group of people. However if the actions a pledge is taking on a routine basis are reflecting poorly on the house, or bring up issues with the police or the administration, or even jus the sororities on campus I could understand a decision to terminate the pledgeship.
Do you tell the pledges when they join that it is a distinct possibility that something like this could happen? Do you give pledge reviews so they know their progress through out the pledge period? If so do you make plans on how the chapter can help the pledge through the situation? I think that at times it's easy for the group of brothers to 1) only focus on the negative things done by a pledge and 2) forget that the relationship between the pledge and the active chapter is a two way street and one that should be beneficial to both parties in order for anyone to win.
Now for the other aspects of being anti-hazing/anti-drinking...
As far as alcohol goes, I can look at my chapter and say that it is possible to create an atmosphere where drinking is not the priority, where non-drinkers can feel comfortable about being in a GLO. Things like having a dry house can do a huge part in your image to the rest of campus. However it doesn't have to damage your social reputation, because, be honest we're in college and alcohol is a big part of the party aspect. Because you don't drink in your house doesn't mean that your chapter doesn't drink or have parties which occasionally seems to be the connotation. You just drink at other locations, thereby maintaining whatever image you want to have.
As for Hazing, I totally and completely agree with you. I hear the same thing from other houses, and I would argue that my chapter's brotherhood without the hazing is stronger than any other houses (as difficult as it would be to argue that
) I loved everyday of my I week, and it was one of the most uplifting weeks of my life and the overall effect was incredible. Plus, with the exception of sleeping through a couple classes I didn't get comments that I looked like shit, have to complain that I hadn't showered or not been able to brush my teeth. Nor did I have to wear a suit to class everyday of the week. Basically I'd say that hazing CAN increase brotherhood, but only to a point, and the negative aspects that it creates between the pledge class and the rest of the house pretty much outweigh the increase in brotherhood experienced by the pledges with eachother.
