We had to:
- Memorize the actives names, hometowns, majors and grade. Boyfriend/fiancée if applicable.
- Memorize the creed, motto, founders, greek alphabet and the pins/greek letters/colors and flower of every sorority on campus
- Complete required proctored study hall hours
- Do phone duty for about 5 hours in the evening during the first semester
- Get a wooden dagger signed by all of the members prior to initiation. The members couldn't make us "do" anything for the signature, but we did have to go to ask them, which helped us meet those last few seniors we hadn't met during pledging.
This is now considered hazing, but it served a great purpose. We knew everyone's background/major early in the semester, we put in some significant quiet study hours and it really encouraged freshmen to spend time at the house, we got to know all of the members and spoke to them personally, and my dagger is still a beloved possession.
Alcohol and boy/fraternity/party requirements should still be considered hazing, but learning about members and glo history should still be required. As an advisor, working with members who couldn't recite our creed or purpose was just sad. Not every requirement is hazing and shouldn't be considered so. But then, I am a dinosaur.
