Do fraternities paddle?

The fraternity and sorority paddle is most commonly used today as a decorative keepsake representing brotherhood or sisterhood and is given as a gift according to a local chapter's traditions. The history of the paddle, however, is rooted in violence and remains both a tool and symbol of hazing in Greek organizations.

Do frats actually paddle?

Pledges often purchase a blank wooden paddle to decorate commemorating their membership into the Greek Organization or to give as a gift to their “big brother” or “big sister” within the fraternity or sorority. To most sorority alumnae today, paddles represent sisterhood, pride, and tradition.

Why do fraternities paddle?

The Paddle's Place in the Greek Community

To show their appreciation, little brothers and sisters present their mentor with a paddle as a sign of gratitude, loyalty and respect. Also, many fraternities give paddles to newly pledged members as a welcoming sign of inclusion into the chapter.

How long is a fraternity paddle?

Greek paddles can range in size from small key chains to 2 1/2 feet tall. In general, your paddle should be four times as long as it is wide. If your design is 4 inches wide, the paddle should be 16 inches long. The length includes the handle.

What is fraternity hazing?

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of a person's willingness to participate. There are three components that define hazing: It occurs in a group context. Humiliating, degrading, or endangering behavior.

Johnny Depp Fraternity Paddle

Does hazing still happen?

Indeed, hazing is not only banned by most colleges and universities but also violates laws in nearly every U.S. state, but these incidents continue to occur. A recent NBC News report noted that, from 2000 to 2021, at least 50 college students died from hazing incidents.

How thick is a Greek paddle?

These are the ideal dimensions: 22-3/4" inches Long, 5" inches Wide, 5/8" inches thick (22-3/4" × 5" × 5/8"). HIGH QUALITY AMERICAN PINE!

Can you leave a fraternity?

A men honors his commitments and obligations. You can't quit and separate from the fraternity is you still have obligations to the organization. 2 – You need to tell the president of the fraternity – in person. You will be doing him and the fraternity a favor if you share with him the true reason for your quitting.

When did hazing start in fraternities?

The Origins of Hazing

The term hazing regularly became used in 1684 after a student at Harvard was the first to be expelled for hitting students and having them perform acts of servitude. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, social fraternities started hazing.

When did hazing start in black fraternities?

The first college hazing death incident occurred at Cornell University in 1873 to Mortimer N. Leggett, who was attempting to join Kappa Alpha Society.

What is a fraternity paddle?

The fraternity and sorority paddle is most commonly used today as a decorative keepsake representing brotherhood or sisterhood and is given as a gift according to a local chapter's traditions. The history of the paddle, however, is rooted in violence and remains both a tool and symbol of hazing in Greek organizations.

How long is a sorority paddle?

Fraternity Sorority Paddles 14 inch, Pack of 1 Unfinished Greek Wooden Paddle, Smooth Birch for Decorating and Painting, by Woodpeckers.

What do you put in a fraternity paddle?

Decorating ideas

Fraternity paddles are traditionally very plain. Whereas sororities will use bright colors, pictures and glitter to decorate theirs, fraternities only use the most basic supplies on their paddles. It is important to have the fraternity's Greek letters, your name and the recipient's name.

What do frats do to pledges?

A pledge can expect to make early morning house calls to the fraternity house. This could be to clean up after the actives threw a party, to have meetings or to even be quizzed. The duties of a pledge include anything from cleaning the fraternity house to driving actives to and from classes.

Are frats worth joining?

Joining a fraternity or sorority is a great way to meet new people and build lasting connections. Many fraternities and sororities offer academic support and leadership opportunities. Greek life requires a significant time commitment throughout the year.

How do I not get hazed?

What happens if a frat gets caught hazing?

Those who are accused of engaging in hazing behaviors may face legal actions up to and including jailtime. In addition, victims of hazing may pursue monetary damage in civil court from individuals and groups involved. The U-M Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, prohibits hazing.

What is frat initiation like?

It's hard to say exactly what the rituals are like for every fraternity, but it does involve some form of oath-swearing to the fraternity, where every potential member is sworn to both secrecy and loyalty, as well as a final form of hazing, one that involves a more extreme version of the hazing the pledges went through ...

What does hazing look like?

Involves humiliation of an individual or group. Involves ridicule of an individual or group. Involves or includes the willful destruction or removal of public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in an organization.

Do bigs give Littles paddles?

Sorority paddles are gifts in Greek Life that littles give their bigs or bigs give their littles as a sign of their bond and sisterhood within the sorority. Sometimes the paddle has a theme that links the sisters – something they have in common besides the sorority.