In order to have a proper appreciation for Lambda Chi Alpha's Associate Member
Program, it is necessary to place it into a proper perspective by comparing it
to the traditional "pledge" programs that many fraternities still
operate. In those other programs, new members "pledge" to the
fraternity, but in Lambda Chi, new members "associate" with our
fraternity. While this may at first seem to be a distinction without a
difference, it is far from it.
Pledging
One
very real objection many prospective fraternity men may have towards
fraternities is pledging. Pledging often involves having extra duties, taking
tests and quizzes, or even hazing. It is demeaning to an individual, and in
our opinion, it does more to destroy a fraternity chapter's unity than it
could ever do to build it. That's why in 1972, Lambda Chi Alpha became
the first fraternity to abolish pledging. We shifted our focus from
"pledge" unity to chapter unity – work duties and other
responsibilities are shared by everyone. Rather than pledging, we give you the
option to become an associate member of the fraternity.
Associate members have the same rights and privileges as initiated brothers
– they are allowed to hold office and even permitted to vote on anything
other than their own initiation. By eliminating double standards, Lambda Chi
has a greater ability to develop and foster true brotherhood.
Hazing
We're sure you've heard all kinds of stories about the types of hazing that go
on behind closed doors to pledges. Although hazing is portrayed in a funny
light in movies such as Animal House, the truth is that hazing can be
extremely hazardous to your health. Nowadays, most fraternities will tell you
that they don't haze. But how is "hazing" defined? Our definition is
by far the broadest – hazing is "any action taken or situation created
intentionally to produce physical discomfort or mental discomfort by
embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule." That's one of the reasons that
we got rid of pledging; pledgeship is a program that dwells on the separation
of initiated members and pledges with a primary emphasis on subservience. By
our definition, that's hazing. Such a separation cannot be allowed because it
comes into direct contradiction with the very goal of our fraternity – unity
among all members.
In
truth, there are very few distinctions between the initiated member and the
associate member; those that do exist are natural ones that come about due to
age and years in school. In Lambda Chi Alpha, all members share equal rights,
privileges, and responsibilities.
"Don't pledge us, join
us!"
We have no interest
in treating our associate members any differently from our initiated brothers.
Rather than being submitted to a pledge period to prepare to enter the
brotherhood, associate members begin joining that bond from the moment they
choose to associate with Lambda Chi Alpha. Should you choose to associate, you
will be treated with the same dignity and respect that each brother shows to
one another. After all, a brother is exactly what we want you to become.
RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:
