At WCU our Greek community understands that our students have a lot of decisions to make, and we are committed to providing educational programs on hazing, alcohol and drug use, sexual misconduct, and diversity. All Greek chapters that are recognized by WCU must take part in these ongoing educational programs.
There are many negative stereotypes about Greeks and the Greek community nationally and locally, and we realize there is some truth to them. As Greeks here at WCU, we are dedicated to the best principles of our founding orders and while we can do nothing to stop rumors, we can continually strive to improve ourselves and our chapters, and to be positive role models for others. Below is the new member bill of rights that all persons going through recruitment and the new member process have:
No pledge/new member/aspirant/associate shall be required by any person or persons to perform any act which:
1. Interferes with the academic process – causes the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to miss or be ill prepared for classes, labs, study sessions, or test
2. Causes the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to violate WCU policies
3. Requires or pressures the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to consume alcohol
4. Prevents the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate from securing normal amounts of sleep (no activities between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.)
5. Requires the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to perform personal services for collegiate or alumni members (including, but not limited to, driving around members and/or their guests (including members of other organizations), “shopping” for members, etc.)
6. Is sadistic – treats the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate in a “sub-human” manner
7. Is illegal – including the use of drugs and alcohol
8. Is immoral
9. Places the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate in physical danger or in jeopardy of losing his or her life
10. Places severe emotional stress upon the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate
11. Requires the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to be present at activities for unreasonable periods of time
12. Requires the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to participate in a “Kangaroo” Court or other individual questioning activities
13. Prescribes the wearing of anything to identify pledgeship/new member/aspirant/associate status (this includes pledge/new member/ associate or bid day T-shirts, or wearing of required clothing)
14. Requires the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to carry items that they would not normally bear (including paddles, signature books, etc.)
15. Requires the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to answer the telephone in a manner unlike a member would answer it
16. Prevents the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate from speaking for a period of time
17. Involves the abandonment of pledge/new member/aspirant/associate or active members thereby requiring them to find their own way back to campus
18. Requires the blindfolding of the pledge/new member/aspirant/associate (exceptions: during low ropes course with trained facilitator, or as prescribed in writing for inter/national Ritual)
19. Requires the pledge/new member/associate/ aspirant to stand when a collegiate or alumna/us member enters a room
20. Requires the pledge/new member/associate/aspirant to intentionally deface the house/chapter room/suite/apt. etc.; or requires the pledge/new member/associate/aspirant to clean the house/chapter room/suite/apt., etc. of others
21. Requires calling other pledge/new member/associate/aspirant “names”
22. Requires pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to enter the house/suite/building only from a specific door
23. Requires pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to eat meals together, attend unscheduled “call-down” meetings or sleep in the house/suite/apt. together for any length of time without written permission from WCU and inter/national office
24. Requires a pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to address or refer to members in a manner different from how they are addressed (i.e. Mr./Ms. Smith for initiates, Pledge Jean for new members)
25. Requires pledge/new member/aspirant/associate to participate in scavenger hunts or similar activities by any name that involves taking of items, time deadlines, etc.