Anti-Hazing Statement

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. strictly prohibits hazing in any form whether physical or mental as a term or condition of membership in the organization. Hazing is illegal and a crime in most jurisdictions. Aspirants to the organization should participate only in the sanctioned membership process of the Fraternity. Aspirants must not agree to submit to hazing in order to obtain Fraternity membership.

Pledging has been officially abolished as a means of obtaining membership in Alpha Phi Alpha and pledge “lines” have been officially abolished by the Fraternity. Aspirants must not submit themselves, or agree to submit themselves, to any membership activities that are prohibited by the Fraternity. Members of Alpha Phi Alpha are forbidden from requiring any aspirant to engage in prohibited membership activities. Members of Alpha Phi Alpha are not authorized to require any aspirant to engage in prohibited membership activities.

All official contact and correspondence to the aspirant regarding membership intake will come from the Corporate Headquarters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. via the Director of Membership Services. The only official and sanctioned contact regarding intake is outlined for the aspirant in the Fraternity’s description of the “MEMBERSHIP PROCESS”. Aspirants should only participate in membership activities when the date, time and place have been established by the Corporate Headquarters. Further, no individual member or chapter of the Fraternity may require additional or different terms or conditions of membership for an aspirant or group of aspirants. Aspirants should immediately report any infraction or irregularity in membership intake to the Corporate Headquarters.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION: “HAZING…is any action taken or situation created that involves or results in abusive physical contact or mental harassment of a prospective Fraternity member. Any such action is considered HAZING whether it occurs on or off the Fraternity premises, campus or place where chapters or prospective members meet. HAZING also is described as any action that results in excessive mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment or harassment. Such activities include, but are not limited to, paddling, creation of excessive fatigue, physical or psychological shock, morally degrading or humiliating activities, late work sessions that interfere with scholastic activities, and any other activities inconsistent with fraternal law and the regulations and policies of the affiliated educational institution and federal, state or local law. The above described actions are expressly forbidden. Members or chapters involved in such infractions are subject to disciplinary action.” – THE STANDING ORDERS of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Anyone who participates in hazing an aspirant does not represent Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Instead, that person will be considered a criminal by the Fraternity. Any person who commits hazing is individually and personally liable to the victim and can be subject to a lawsuit for monetary damages. Individuals involved in hazing also face severe disciplinary action by the Fraternity.

Pledging
NO Pledging Allowed. Pledging is against the purposes and goals of the Fraternity and has been discontinued as a condition or manner of initiation into the membership of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. It is no longer legal within Alpha Phi Alpha for members to establish a “pledge line” or to require aspirants to the organization to submit to “hazing”. All membership intake activities for the Fraternity are conducted by the National Intake Office and occur in the presence of a National Intake Officer.

Any grievances and disputes regarding membership intake should be referred to the National Intake Director for investigation and resolution. Aspirants to the organization agree to follow all rules, regulations and guidelines relating to the intake process. The aspirant further agrees to report in writing any infractions and violations of the rules, regulations and guidelines relating to the intake process. Failure by the aspirant to abide by the intake process or to report illegal activities may exclude the aspirant from membership in the Fraternity.