Fraternities and sororities have been plagued by hazing for far too long – and Sigma Alpha Epsilon is taking a stand. Earlier this year, the Fraternity formed a group to research and develop a sustainable anti-hazing program for Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and from that group, We Stand Together was born.

We Stand Together is an interactive, educational endeavor that reaffirms our zero-tolerance policy for hazing. The program contains several vital components, many of which utilize multimedia and online resources. Sigma Alpha Epsilon has created an exclusive section of the True Gentleman Initiative, the Fraternity’s educational website at www.thetgi.net, specifically for We Stand Together. The exclusive content includes documents, presentations, tips, links and customizable tools on how to recognize hazing and how to prevent it.

We Stand Together is leading the way in the Greek world and includes components for alumni, parents, actives, and pledges. Hazing is not a problem for just one organization. To stop it, we need everyone’s help. Sigma Alpha Epsilon is strongly against hazing and is committed to creating a safe, meaningful environment for all of our members, regardless of status. Our undergraduate members, as well as parents and alumni, are urged to go to the TGI’s website and check out the section for their group.

The program’s highlights include:

An open letter to actives and pledges
There are two letters available to share. One is directed towards the pledges and should be read to them at a meeting. The other is for active members and should be read at a weekly chapter meeting. Each letter outlines the new program and presents effective ways of achieving brotherhood. Members can print the letter for each brother or post it in the chapter house as a constant reminder that Sigma Alpha Epsilon does not tolerate hazing.

PowerPoint presentations for undergraduates
The www.thetgi.net site has two PowerPoint presentations full of information on the new hazing-prevention hotline, as well as alarming statistics from a recent hazing study. The presentation for the active chapter should be presented by the Eminent Archon or the continuing education chairman. The pledge educator should present the pledge PowerPoint.

The new hazing hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE
Sigma Alpha Epsilon has established a new anti-hazing hotline for anyone, on any campus or in any situation, to report hazing anonymously. The new hotline number is 1-888-NOT-HAZE. Sigma Alpha Epsilon takes every message seriously, and the hotline is available for anyone, including actives, alumni and parents.

The Response Ability DVD
Response Ability is a reality-style educational DVD package that brings viewers to understand how group dynamics can prevent people from taking action. It also demonstrates how to intervene successfully when brothers witness hazing or other dangerous or unhealthy behavior. The Response Ability video is being presented by each Regional Director during chapter visits, and all chapters will receive a copy of the DVD to use as part of its educational programs. Chapters should also share the DVD with alumni or other interested groups.

A reassessment of activities: What is hazing?
After reading the documents and hearing the presentations, chapters should have a good idea of what would constitute hazing – and how individual members can stand up to it. Although some chapter activities may seem harmless, it is important to assess those traditions and make sure they are not harming any member physically or mentally. The www.thetgi.net documents also include alternative programming that fits each chapter’s needs but does not include hazing.

A sharing of resources with alumni associations
Sigma Alpha Epsilon has outstanding and dedicated alumni who devote countless hours of time and service to promote the Fraternity and its mission. In order to help alumni and undergraduates understand hazing and its negative effects on the Fraternity, the online repository is full of tools and resources to help each member become a better adviser, alumnus or brother, whatever his role.

A sharing of resources with parents
Chapters are encouraged to communicate their pledge programming to parents and alumni. Many chapters maintain a parents’ or Minerva’s Club, used to keep parents up-to-date on the chapter’s activities. We Stand Together includes a specific section on the role that parents play in preventing hazing, and a section of www.thetgi.net is just for parents.

The We Stand Together program has been created to help save lives and live our values. As more documents and resources become available and as new components to the program are introduced, chapters will receive further notification.

For more information or for any questions about We Stand Together, contact Director of Educational Programs Zach Rus at zrus@sae.net or at (847) 424-3032.