FRATERNITY LAUNCHES ANTI-HAZING MOVEMENT
September 14, 2006
On the final morning of this summer’s 2006 National Convention, Executive Director Ryan Ripperton rose from his seat to give a report to the assembled brothers. What happened in the sixteen minutes that followed will alter the course of the Fraternity’s impact on the lives of the men seeking to join its ranks.
You can experience in real-time exactly what happened by clicking on the video/audio links in the “Media Center” at right. PDF transcripts of the speech are also available for those unable to view the multimedia presentations.
Through the adoption of the Anti-Hazing Resolution, the Fraternity launches a movement to eradicate hazing completely from its chapters, and also joins in the efforts of other organizations to eliminate hazing from society at-large. As Ripperton described in his speech, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is “an organization deeply committed to the welfare of our fellow man,” and he called upon the delegates to recognize that “it is time for us to fulfill the moral imperative to fight this disease to its death.” The 74 voting delegates, supported by almost 400 enthusiastic Sinfonians observing the proceedings, unanimously agreed.
“Our beloved Sinfonia and our fellow man deserve our absolute, unconditional, unanimous dedication to defeat hazing completely and to prevent it from ever returning to the landscape of our Fraternity,” said Ripperton.
In casting the motion to adopt the resolution, Province Governor 20 Dean Shatley remarked, “This next triennium, none of us have the luxury of being spectators. We all must be players in the fight against hazing.”
This movement is not only about strict discipline, as the Fraternity has been applying that standard for some time. In the coming months and years, the Fraternity will endeavor to eradicate hazing by focusing on
prevention. Educational programs will be developed to spread the knowledge and understanding necessary to allow brothers make the right, informed choice when faced with a decision about hazing.
“Education can change our pattern of behavior,” continued Shatley. “It can change our culture.”
National President Richard Crosby explains the Fraternity's anti-hazing movement this way: “Sinfonians who understand the true nature of the ideals of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia would never commit such abuses. The Fraternity’s mission to develop men of moral character and social responsibility must drive our efforts to eradicate hazing.”
“To set our sights any lower than the complete eradication of hazing would be an incomplete effort,” explains Jeremy Evans, Director of Collegiate Affairs. “We owe this effort to future generations of Sinfonians everywhere.”
Chapters and individual Sinfonians can access a host of anti-hazing resources in the
Risk Management section of the Fraternity’s website.
RESOLUTION CONCERNING OPPOSITION TO HAZING
Unanimously adopted July 23, 2006, by the 2006 National Assembly
Whereas, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was founded for the development of fraternal spirit and mutual welfare, and it achieves that mission by developing manly musicians and musicianly men of moral character and social responsibility; and
Whereas, Hazing constitutes intentional acts which demean and abuse an individual physically, mentally, morally and spiritually, and which endanger the victim’s psychological wellbeing and physical health to the point of injury or even death; and
Whereas, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia recognizes that hazing is contrary to the noble ideals and philosophy of our brotherhood and violates the human rights of victims, the Golden Rule and criminal statutes in almost every state; and
Whereas, Hazing drains the financial and labor resources of the Fraternity, its staff and its volunteer officers, negatively affecting the Fraternity’s ability to provide valuable programs and services to its members; and
Whereas, Incidents of hazing defile the public image of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and all fraternal organizations; therefore,
Be it resolved by the National Assembly of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America:
That the Fraternity commits itself to the total eradication of hazing within its chapters and enacts a strict policy of opposition, and in doing so, the Fraternity commits to act in opposition to those who would perpetuate, enable or tolerate hazing within its ranks;
That the Fraternity commits to foster personal responsibility and overcome this scourge by producing educational programs and communications that will shed Light upon the unenlightened;
That the Fraternity vows to strictly discipline brothers engaging in hazing activities through enforcement of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s risk management policies; and
That Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia commits to join in the efforts of other organizations to eliminate the abhorrent practice of hazing in its many forms.
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From the Desk of:
Ryan T. Ripperton, Executive Director
(800) 473-2649, ext. 107
ripperton@sinfonia.org
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