It seems that a contingent of Yale‘s male population forgot their school’s motto “Lux et Veritas,” or “Light and Truth,” while participating in fraternity activities last Wednesday. Pledges of Yale’s Delta Kappa Epsilon chapter paraded in front of The Yale Women’s Center shouting an offensive and rape-trivializing chant. The fraternity’s potential new recruits chanted “no means yes” and “yes means anal,” mocking common anti-rape campaigns.  A viral video of the chant has garnered more attention.

CNN reports that the international board of Delta Kappa Epsilon has condemned the Yale chapter’s actions and affirmed that the chant is offensive. Yale has not commented on whether or not they will be taking disciplinary actions against those participating or those organizing the pledging activities. The dean of the college, Mary Miller, stated that “any and all disciplinary processes are confidential at Yale.” Members of Yale’s chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon declined to comment.

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Dr. Phil has long been a proponent of taking action against cyber bullies, but now he’s gaining more momentum for his anti-bullying campaign. In June, Dr. Phil went before congress, urging the inclusion of anti-bullying measures in changes being made to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as No Child Left Behind. Dr. Phil is one of many celebrities who have raised an outcry over the recent suicides of gay teens.

Dr. Phil has addressed the issue of bullying on his show, and now he’s launching an “Anti-Bully Movement” with series of pledges. “We’re talking about a call to action for students, parents, teachers, coaches, school administrators, anyone who comes in contact with children that are subject to being bullied,” he says on his website. “We’ve got to keep our children safe at school and that includes keeping them safe from each other. Bullying is more serious than ever. Kids are taking their own lives as a result and even when they don’t, the emotional scars, the damage to their self-esteem can be devastating.”

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About Kappa Kappa Gamma: Kappa Kappa Gamma has 137 collegiate chapters in North America and more than 300 alumnae associations. Since its founding in 1870, more than 235,000 women have been initiated. Kappa Kappa Gamma promotes leadership and seeks for every member throughout her life, bonds of friendship, mutual support, opportunities for self-growth, respect for intellectual development and an understanding of and allegiance to positive ethical principles.

Kappa Kappa Gamma Women’s Fraternity is a proud sponsor of National Hazing Prevention Week, September 20-24, 2010. Our goal is to prevent hazing by promoting respect and sisterhood. Hazing comes in many forms, but the most basic definition is any activity or action taken with or without consent that produces mental, emotional or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule.

Members of Kappa Kappa Gamma and all Greek-letter organizations have pledged to uphold the values associated with leadership, scholarship and friendship. Yet, we continue to hear about the devastating effects of hazing on campuses. National Hazing Prevention Week is one of several ways we can combat this serious problem. Read the rest of this entry »

Almetris Duren Hall Dormitory

It’s not unusual for colleges for freshmen to drink too much in the first few weeks at college, but is pledging leading students to drink dangerously? This week, two young women at the University of Texas were hospitalized for alcohol poisoning after a sorority pledging event.

One girl was found foaming at the mouth in the shower by her roommate. The other was discovered unconscious on the bathroom floor of the Almetris Duren Hall dorm. Both girls were hospitalized. “When freshmen get here, they kind of go a little crazy and you often times find people passed out or stumbling drunk,” said one University of Texas senior.

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With some colleges already half way through their recruitment weeks, many of you have been asking what to expect at the pledge ceremony and from the pledge process for fraternities and sororities.

When a potential new member accepts a Greek bid invitation, they become a new member, formally known as a pledge. The word “pledge” has received a negative connotation and as a result, many organizations have chosen to adopt the new title of “member” for the person pledging and “new member education” for the pledge period itself. The ceremony event, however, is still usually referred to as the pledge ceremony. Read the rest of this entry »