<p>i know there's a law against hazing, but how well do the frats and sororities reallly follow it? and if they don't haze, what's the pledge process like?</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman who went through rush and is currently in the middle of the "new member" process. She says there is absolutely no hazing involved with the sororities there (and says a lot of the pledge requirements I had in college would be considered hazing.) There is nothing to be nervous about in that regard.</p>
<p>I believe the new member period averages about 5 weeks. There are a lot of meetings/activities each week (not all required), so time management is very important.</p>
<p>I can't speak to the fraternity process.</p>
<p>There's a very well established Greek Life office at Vandy with its own extensive website. You can obtain a lot of info that way: <a href="http://www.vanderbilt.edu/greek_life/%5B/url%5D">http://www.vanderbilt.edu/greek_life/</a> . The Panhellenic Council, which oversees sororities, absolutely does not tolerate hazing and is known for enforcing Greek requirements in a very exacting way. New sorority members do have to make a time commitment to their orientation process. I don't know the exact timing, but new members are eventually matched up with big sisters (an entire "family," in fact) who become mentors and a true support system. This is something I've observed to be one of the major pluses of Greek life at Vandy (and I think the big sister thing is done in sororities everywhere). </p>
<p>I've heard from someone who should know that fraternities are not as well policed w/r/t hazing.</p>
<p>D is a senior and her comments would reinforce what has been said above about sorority life and their commitment to no hazing. The Vanderbilt Hustler recently did a front page story on fraternity hazing. Having had a child on campus each year since fall of '02, I felt like I was reading old news. To read the article go to [url=<a href="http://www.insidevandy.com%5DInsideVandy%5B/url">http://www.insidevandy.com]InsideVandy[/url</a>] and then click on the gold box about midway down on the right to access the print facsimile of The Hustler. Select the paper for Feb. 6th from the drop down box and you'll access the article on the front page.</p>
<p>My son is interested in being part of a fraternity-like group - but not into hazing thing. He is social and fun - but not major party guy. Can he find a fraternity to fit into at Vandy? I have heard that it’s much easier to plug in if you pledge - but he’s a little biased against fraternities at this point.</p>