Council
of Presidents
National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.
September 13, 2000
Joint Position Statement
WHEREAS the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC) is comprised of
local councils drawn from the ranks of 1.5 million college and professional members
of the nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities, namely:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha
Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and
the Council of Presidents of these member organizations who come together on
issues that promote the common purposes and general good for which these organizations
exist; and
WHEREAS these NPHC organizations, operating through chapters
located in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and
Asia, are proud of their commitment, since 1906, to scholarship,
community service, leadership and the promotion of sisterhood
and brotherhood in an atmosphere of respect and responsibility;
and
WHEREAS these NPHC organizations are likewise committed
to promoting the self-respect and dignity of all persons seeking
membership in the respective organizations; and
WHEREAS hazing is antithetical to this commitment
and is strictly prohibited by the constitution, policies
and procedures of each NPHC organization; and
WHEREAS "pledging" has been officially abolished as a process
for membership and pledge "lines" have similarly been abolished; and
all members and prospective members are prohibited from engaging in
hazing, pledge or pre-pledge "lines"; and
WHEREAS in 1990 the NPHC organizations issued a joint
statement announcing the elimination of pledging and have
instituted within the respective organizations a revised
membership development and intake process; and
WHEREAS each NPHC organization has instituted strong
policies against hazing and has taken steps to reinforce
and strengthen its stand against prohibited conduct; and
WHEREAS as we begin this new century and a renewed
commitment to the fundamental principles of brotherhood,
sisterhood, human dignity and mutual respect, the NPHC organizations
desire to make its commitment against hazing abundantly clear
and fully intends for every member, prospective member, parent,
university and the general public to be aware of the individual
and collective position of the organizations against hazing;
and
WHEREAS these NPHC organizations further desire to
make known their respective commitment to hold any person
who engages in hazing individually and personally liable
to the victim and to answer to the law and the organization;
and will hold such persons to respond in monetary damages,
civil and criminal penalties and severe disciplinary action
by the organization, including expulsion; and
WHEREAS the definition of hazing has been held to
include any
action taken or situation created that involves or results in abusive,
physical contact or mutual harassment of a prospective Fraternity or
Sorority member; and that any such action is considered hazing, whether
it occurs on or off the Fraternity or Sorority premises, campus or
place where chapters or prospective members meet; and that hazing has
also been described to include any action that results in excessive
mutual or physical discomfort, embarassment or harassment; that such
activities include, but are not limited to, paddling, creation of excessive
fatigue, physical or psychological shock, morally degrading or humiliating
activities, late work sessions that interfere with scholastic activities
and any other activities consistent with fraternal law and regulations
and policies of the affiliated educational institution and federal,
state or local law; and
WHEREAS such illegal conduct is inimical to the principles
for which each organization stands and fails to foster respect
for fellow members or preserve human dignity; BE IT RESOLVED
AND RESTATED WITH EMPHASIS ANEW that hazing, pledging, pledge "lines" or pre-pledge "lines" are
strictly prohibited by these NPHC organizations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, RESTATED AND MADE KNOWN that
these NPHC organizations are committed to eradicate the
scourge of hazing; and to that end
That the intake process has been recodified by each organization,
which permits the conduct of intake only when specifically
authorized by the officer placed in charge of the process
and only at such times, places and in the presence of persons
specifically authorized and certified to conduct the intake
process
That prospective members and the parents of collegiate
applicants are advised that hazing is not a requirement
for membership, nor is it tolerated;
That members and prospective members must attest that they
are fully aware of the organization's policy against hazing
and will not engage in prohibited conduct and that the
organization will fully cooperate with law enforcement
authorities and with university officials in the investigation
and prosecution of hazing or other illegal activity;
That members and applicants for membership are also put
on written notice that they will be held responsible to
the organization for violation of policies against hazing
and the organization will pursue full remedies allowed
by law for indemnification for damages caused by the actions
of the members or applicants who participated in illegal,
unauthorized or prohibited conduct despite notice to refrain
from such conduct;
That each organization shall enforce severe penalties,
including expulsion for proven violations of its policies
against hazing and impose sanctions against a chapter involved
and cooperate with the university in implementing sanctions
by the university;
That members and applicants for membership shall be required
to immediately notify the national office of the Fraternity
or Sorority, the local chapter advisor and the university
officials of any observed hazing incident or improper activity
believed to be in violation of the policy against hazing,
without fear of reprisal and their application for membership
will not be affected by so doing; and, indeed, failure
to report known violations may disqualify a candidate for
membership; and, finally,
That these NPHC organizations shall continue to encourage
their members to participate in activities which promote
high scholastic achievement, sisterhood, brotherhood, loyalty
and leadership; and shall continue to affirm sound values
and the worth of every member working together to accomplish
organizational goals and serve the community.
Howard L. Tutman, Jr.
Grand Polemarch
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Adrian L. Wallace
General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Peter M. Adams, Esq.
National President
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Norma Solomon White
Supreme Basileus
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Barbara Carpenter, Ph.D.
Grand Basileus
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Helen J. Owens
Grand Basileus
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Lloyd J. Jordan, Esq.
Grand Basileus
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Rondall James
Grand Polaris
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Gwendolyn Boyd
National President
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Washington, DC
September 13, 2000 
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