Contrary to society’s stereotypes, hazing has never been endorsed or encouraged as a method for “training” a man or to help him “earn” his membership in a fraternity. Hazing is contrary to our mission and values, and it has no place in Phi Gamma Delta.
While most chapters do not haze, unfortunately hazing is still a major testing point chapters face far too often. Since 2018, Phi Gamma Delta has closed 16 chapters for hazing, making it the number one killer of fraternity chapters.
The Fraternity is committed to the elimination and prevention of hazing. We have embarked on a comprehensive Hazing Prevention Plan intended to rethink our approach to new member education, engage interested constituencies and, ultimately, work to eliminate hazing from our chapters.
To all those with an interest in the present and future of Phi Gamma Delta – undergraduates, graduate brothers, parents and campus partners – we invite you to be a Courageous Leader and be empowered to have Courage Against Hazing.
Hazing Prevention Plan
A New Model to Build Courageous Leaders
Phi Gamma Delta has reconsidered how a man “becomes a Phi Gam” by developing the New Model to Build Courageous Leaders. The New Model was created to eliminate hazing, strengthen the Fraternity with a smart-growth philosophy, and enhance the undergraduate experience for years to come. It consists of two programs:
- Growth System: A continuous, values-based recruitment system that allows a chapter to make a full and honest evaluation of a prospect before extending him an invitation to join.
- Built to Lead: A multi-level development experience that begins on day one of affiliation and extends throughout the undergraduate experience, focused on building and strengthening skills necessary for Courageous Leadership.
Increase Training for Officers & Foundation of Courage Chairmen
Phi Gamma Delta will provide increased training and educational opportunities to our officers and Foundation of Courage (FOC) Chairmen (new member educators). Beginning in fall 2019, all Presidents and FOC Chairmen are required to complete online courses and agreements before the start of the FOC programming.
Reinforce Hazing's Risks & Consequences
Phi Gamma Delta continues its deliberate and direct communication to all undergraduate brothers to help them understand the risks and consequences of hazing. When a chapter is closed for hazing, all undergraduates are informed of the reason the chapter closed and are reminded of the consequences individuals may face, including criminal prosecution and expulsion from the Fraternity and/or their school.
The Fraternity also offers Incentives for Prevention as motivation for chapters to participate in preventive and educational opportunities. Incentives began to be rolled out in early 2021, with additional opportunities available in 2022.
Phi Gamma Delta, along with peer organizations, the North American Interfraternity Conference and several other organizations associated with fraternities and sororities, fully supports federal and state legislation aimed to heighten transparency, accountability and strengthen criminal consequences for those who haze. We encourage all brothers, parents and interested constituents to learn more about and support federal legislation such as the END ALL Hazing Act and Ohio’s Collin’s Law: The Ohio Anti-Hazing Act.
Phi Gamma Delta looks to everyone involved to be empowered to stand with us and have Courage Against Hazing.
The Fraternity provides hazing prevention resources for our graduate advisors and volunteers. These include online modules for graduate volunteers, to better understand and address risk management and hazing concerns, and a facilitation guide for graduates, to better discuss expectations around hazing and new member education with their chapters.
Our Courage Against Hazing Campaign gives our undergraduates, graduate brothers, campus partners and parents a meaningful way to take a stand against hazing.
Hazing Prevention Resources
- Amnesty Policy
- Anti-Hazing Coalition
- Foundation of Courage (New member education program)
- Graduate Advisor Resources
- Graduate Facilitation Guide for a Discussion on Hazing
- Hazing Definition & Examples
- Hazing Prevention Network (formerly HazingPrevention.org)
- Incident Report Form
- Members’ Bill of Rights
- National Anti-Hazing Hotline
- National Hazing Prevention Week (held the last full week of September each year)
- Phi Gamma Delta’s Courage Against Hazing Campaign
- Phi Gamma Delta’s Stance on Hazing
- StopHazing.org: States With Anti-Hazing Laws
- State Anti-Hazing Law Summaries: Arizona, Florida, Georgia (Max Gruver Act), Louisiana, New Jersey, Ohio (Collin’s Law), Pennsylvania, Texas & Washington
Phi Gamma Delta participates in the National Anti-Hazing Hotline, which is available to those who think they, or students they know, have been or may be a victim of hazing. The toll-free number is 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293).
You can also report any hazing concerns on our form:
