Tekes Against Hazing
In light of National Hazing Prevention Week, Tau Kappa Epsilon would like to extend some resources and messages to the men of our TKE nation. Hazing is a slippery slope that can ruin friendships, brotherhoods, and even beloved chapters. While it is easy to joke about hazing or practice "grey area" forms of hazing, the Offices of the Grand Chapter encourage every Teke chapter/colony to stand against hazing in your fraternal experience.
Hazing can be harmful on a number of levels and is often related to the following detrimental outcomes:
• Physical harm and death
• Emotional harm
• Student attrition
• Breading of mistrust among group members
• Cultivation of a school/campus culture of abuse
• Bad press for individuals, organization, and school/campus or community
• Lawsuits and liability
As a Fraternity that is proud to be founded on equality we do not judge a person for the way they look, how much money they have, or what their personal beliefs are. The uniqueness of each member is the strength of our Fraternity. Power should not steer us away from this. A leader in your chapter should not need hazing as a way to showcase his power. Power comes from our actions, and how we live our lives as Tekes. A Prytanis is the chapter's leader, but he is not anymore important then a new member. A candidate is a part of the chapter just as much as an outgoing senior. Each person has his place in the Fraternity and that should always be honored and respected. The letters T.K.E are earned by the men in our chapters, and not through pointless events and "traditions" that have slowly changed year after year. Our letters are earned by respecting our fellow brothers and aiding them in their personal and professional development. Anything outside of this are examples of that slippery slope.
We need to train our new members not to be new members, but to be brothers. Show them how to be a Teke by the example that we set. With equality and respect we can build stronger chapters and stronger futures.
Charity, Esteem, and Love have its place in our Fraternity; hazing does not.
Resources regarding hazing may be found
here.
For more information, please contact:
Kyle Erdman
Communications Specialist
317.872.6533
KErdman@tke.org
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