Our Policies

Anti-Hazing

INTRODUCTION

Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc.’s Anti-Hazing Policy adheres to State laws, and the District of Columbia, where there is an Anti-Hazing law in place and is subject to change in order to maintain consistency with state law. The Sorority’s Policy will also adhere to the University policy on hazing for schools we are located at.

For those states that do not follow a formal policy/do not have laws in place for Anti-Hazing, the Sorority will adhere to the University policy for hazing we are located at, and maintain consistency with Texas (the Founding location of the Sorority) state law’s definition of hazing (37.151.6):

"Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization. The term includes:

(A) any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity;

(B) any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;

(C) any activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;

(D) any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame, or humiliation, that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or the institution rather than submit to acts described in this subdivision; and

(E) any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code.

 

POLICY

All acts of hazing by a Sorority member, active, inactive, or alumnus, are prohibited. It is a violation of Kappa Phi Gamma’s policy, Constitution, and beliefs for Sorority members to engage in any activity that falls within the legal or this policy definition of hazing. As referenced above, hazing is a broad term encompassing actions or activities often associated with initiations or group associations which do not contribute to the positive development of a person; or which inflict or intend to cause mental, physical or emotional harm or anxieties; or which demean, degrade, or disgrace any person regardless of location, intent or consent of participants.

The Sorority believes that any activity that promotes a class or cast system within organizations is inappropriate. Subservience in any form is unacceptable.

Subsequently, activities that facilitate inappropriate levels of authority over other students may be deemed as hazing and will not be allowed.

 

ENFORCEMENT

It is the responsibility of all Sorority members to be knowledgeable of this policy. If any Sorority member, active, inactive, or alumnus, found to be involved in any hazing activity will face disciplinary action and is subjected to a maximum sanction of expulsion from the Sorority.

 

Risk Management

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

The possession, sale, use or consumption of alcoholic beverages while on chapter premises, or during a sorority event, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, or in any event an observer would associate with the Sorority, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state, province, county, city, institution of higher education. No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through chapter funds nor may the purchase of same for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of or on behalf of the chapter.

 

OPEN PARTIES

Unrestricted access by non-members of the Sorority without specific invitation, where alcohol is present, shall be prohibited. No Members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor (those under the legal drinking age).

The possession, sale or use of any illegal drugs while on chapter premises or during a sorority event, or at any event that an observer would associate with the Sorority, is strictly prohibited. No chapter may co-sponsor an event with a distributor of alcohol, charitable organization where alcohol is given away, sold, or otherwise provided to those present. No chapter may co-sponsor or co-finance a function where alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups, or organizations.

All recruitment activities associated with any chapter will be dry recruitment functions. No member shall permit, tolerate, encourage or participate in drinking games. No alcohol shall be present at any new member/associate member/novice program activity or ritual of the chapter.

 

HAZING 

No chapter, charter, active, and alumna shall conduct or condone hazing activities. Hazing activities are those defined as: “Any action taken or situation created, whether on or off sorority premises, for the purpose of or which is likely to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol and/or drugs; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue, including sleep deprivation; physical and psychological shocks; the deprivation of food and/or water; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any such activities carried on outside or inside the confines of the chapter house; kidnappings of any sort, whether by initiated members or pledges; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, sorority law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution, or applicable state law.”

 

SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARASSMENT

The Sorority will not tolerate or condone any form of sexist or sexually abusive behavior on the part of its members, whether physical, mental or emotional. Any member found guilty of acts sexual harassment or assault will be disaffiliated. Victim blaming and shaming along with sharing personal stories without the permission of the survivor will call for an internal investigation and put the perpetrators at risk of expulsion. 

 

FIRE SAFETY

All chapter houses should meet all local fire and health codes and standards. All chapters should have posted by common phones emergency numbers for fire, police, and ambulance and should have evacuation routes from chapter houses, common areas and sleeping rooms posted in said areas and on the back door of each sleeping room. All chapters should comply with engineering recommendations as reported by the insurance company. The possession and/or use of firearms or explosive devices of any kind within the confines and premises of the chapter house is expressly forbidden.

 

Equal Opportunity

The Sorority shall not discriminate on the basis of color, creed, origin, nationality, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or affiliation.

In order for an individual to be considered or allowed membership in Kappa Phi Gamma, she must be a college student who identifies as a woman, as defined below:

A woman is defined as any individual who self-identifies as a woman, regardless of her assigned sex at birth or her expression or the perceived expression of her gender.

Kappa Phi Gamma strives to uphold its principle of Womanhood and equally values Sisterhood; therefore, no member of Kappa Phi Gamma can lose membership rights due to a change in gender, gender expression, or gender identity.