Definition of Hazing

“HAZING” refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that HUMILIATES, DEGRADES or risks EMOTIONAL and/or PHYSICAL HARM, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.

“Hazing” may include but is not limited to the following: binge drinking and drinking games; personal servitude; sleep deprivation and restrictions on personal hygiene; yelling, swearing and insulting new members/pledges individually or collectively; inappropriate consumption of any substances or smearing of such on one’s skin; brandings including the use of markers; physical beatings; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; sexual simulation and sexual assault; kidnapping and blindfolding; being forced to wear apparel which is embarrassing, humiliating, or not morally in good taste; quests; treasure hunts; scavenger hunts; morally-degrading or humiliating games and activities; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; road trips; and/or any other activity which is inconsistent with academic achievement, fraternal, college or university policy, or applicable city, county, state, province, tribal federal or country law.

Anti-Hazing Policy

LAMBDA TAU OMEGA SORORITY, INCORPORATED has a zero-tolerance policy on hazing. The policy is embodied in numerous Lambda Tau Omega documents that are disseminated to members, including the Sister Code of Conduct, New Member Education Guidelines and the Anti-Hazing Agreement members are required to sign. In addition, the policy is embodied in documents disseminated to applicants/ prospective members, including the New Member Education Contract (“no hazing contract”), which all applicants/ prospective members are required to sign. The policy expressly prohibits all acts and forms of hazing, before, during and after the New Member Education Program. The prohibition covers all hazing activities, whether physical, mental or emotional, including but not limited to, pre-initiation and/or underground activities (which is anything in addition to or contrary to approved activities); paddling; beating; slapping; pushing; depriving of sleep; pulling on one’s hair; requiring the consumption of alcohol or drugs; forcing or requiring the consumption of foods that an applicant/ prospective member finds disagreeable; yelling; humiliating; harassing; belittling; cursing; any morally degrading, illegal, or indecent action; requiring applicants/ prospective members or newly initiated members to perform housework or homework for members, or to “run errands”.

Any member of Lambda Tau Omega who participates in any form of hazing, or who is aware of hazing or allegations of hazing, and fails to report such shall be sanctioned according to Lambda Tau Omega’s Code of Conduct. Any applicant/ prospective member who consents to hazing, who participates in hazing by allowing herself to be hazed, or who is aware of hazing, but fails to report it shall be barred from membership in Lambda Tau Omega.

Reports shall be made to the National New Member Education Director and National President. All hazing reports must be sufficiently detailed to enable those to whom a report is made to take action. If any member or applicant/ prospective member reports hazing and does not receive a positive response, she should immediately escalate the reporting to the next level. Anyone who reports hazing always has the option of contacting the National President and/or National Vice President directly, at any time

Hazing Policy Violation

Lambda Tau Omega shall impose sanctions upon any members, Chapters, and applicants/ prospective members who are involved in any form of hazing, including being aware of and not reporting hazing or allegations of hazing to the National New Member Education Director. The type of sanctions to be imposed upon Chapters and members depends on the nature of the violation and any history of any such prior violations.

For Chapters, the range of sanctions includes any one of the following: denial of the right to conduct the New Member Education Process; suspension for a certain time; and revocation of Chapter charter. With respect to individual members, the range of sanctions includes suspension and/or expulsion. Suspension automatically includes the denial of the right to participate in any Lambda Tau Omega activities on a local, regional, or national level. Expulsion means that Lambda Tau Omega has revoked all rights and privileges of membership, including, but not limited to, the right to attend or participate in any Lambda Tau Omega functions; the right of a woman to represent herself as a member of Lambda Tau Omega; the right to wear paraphernalia; and the right to refer to members of Lambda Tau Omega as “Sisters.” Both a Chapter and an individual may be assessed a monetary fine, as appropriate.

With respect to applicants/prospective members, the sanction is denial of membership in the Sorority.

Finally, given that hazing is a crime in multiple states, Lambda Tau Omega will not defend any member who is charged with hazing. Anyone interested in obtaining more information on Lambda Tau Omega’s Anti-Hazing Policy may contact the National New Member Education Director.

Risk Management Policy

The Lambda Tau Omega risk management policies are intended to assist the Sorority in reducing exposure to risks and losses by increasing risk awareness among our chapters, establishments, and members. The Sorority will provide educational assistance to help chapters, establishments, and members establish sound risk management practices that will minimize their exposures.

WARNING: Failure to abide by the Sorority’s Risk Management Policy will result in the loss of privileges as outlines in the Sister Code of Conduct, which may result in the following:

• Placement of a chapter or establishment on probation
• Suspension or revocation of a Chapter’s Charter
• Placement of an individual member of the Sorority on probation and/or suspension
• Review of an individual’s membership status
• Denial of member initiation

RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY AWARENESS

Upon association, each member shall be advised of and provided with a copy of the Sorority’s risk management policy.

Each chapter and establishment shall review the risk management policy by a date set forth by the National Governing Board and send an acknowledgment roster to the Undergraduate Affairs Director. A copy of this policy shall be published at least once at the start of each semester in the Sorority’s weekly email communication.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
The Sorority will take responsible and good faith measures to assure that our members abide by law and policy and that our actions reflect in a positive way on ourselves and on Lambda Tau Omega. All sisters must abide by our Alcohol and Drug Policy.