Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity Postulant Education Program

Alpha Chi Rho

Postulant Education Program

Fraternity: School:

Postulant Educator: Email:

Phone #:

Total Number of Weeks: Six Initiation Date:

Alumni Advisor for Postulant Education:

Phone #: Email:

At a minimum, the Postulant Education Program and New Member Binders should address the following areas:

1. 
   Postulant Education Cover sheet and Anti-hazing statement signed by the Postulant educator and the Chapter President
   
2. 
   Statement of the missions and goals of the program
   
3. 
   Expectations of a New Member
   
4. 
   Scholarship Program
   
5. 
   Community Service Opportunities
   
6. 
   Leadership Development
   
7. 
   Fraternity History
   
8. 
   Membership Contract
   
9. 
   Calendar of all postulant and Chapter events, including dates and locations
   
10. 
    Detailed description of all Postulant events
    

____________________________________ ______________

Postulant Educator (Print and Sign) Date

____________________________________ _______________

Chapter President (Print and Sign) Date

Anti-Hazing Statement

The Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho statement on hazing be it resolved that the National Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho hereby unequivocally repeats its historic repudiation of any pre-Initiation practices antithetical to the Laws and Landmarks of the Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho.
FURTHER that the National Fraternity retains it continued belief in the National Interfraternity Conference against hazing.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the National Interfraternity Conference hereby unequivocally repeats it historic repudiation of any pre-Initiation practices antithetical to the Laws and underlying principles for which each member Fraternity stands.
FURTHER, that this body expects each Fraternity to make appropriate action to implement the intent of this resolution.
FURTHER, that the Conference not only records its continuing disapproval of hazing in the strongest possible terms, but also declares its intention to monitor closely the incidence of this activity through the establishment of a special ad hoc committee for such purpose.
FURTHER, the National Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho deems this statement to pertain to all affiliated member of the Fraternity including Resident Brothers, Postulants, and Graduate Brothers.
FURTHER, that National Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho demands that every Resident Chapter review its Postulant program and take appropriate action to implement the purpose of this resolution.
Adopted by the National Convention assembled 21 August 1982 at the 80th annual

Convention of the Fraternity.
Hazing activities are defined as "Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off Fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks;

quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on the outside or inside of the confines of the Chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliation games and activities; and any other activities which are not constant with fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution."

Postulant Educator (Print & Sign) Date Phone Number

____________________________ __________ _____________________

Chapter President (Print & Sign) Date Phone Number

Alpha Chi Rho is a national men’s collegiate fraternity whose purpose is to enhance the lifelong intellectual, moral and social development of our members through the guidance of our landmarks. Alpha Chi Rho’s basic principles are found in the Landmarks formed by the founders of the Fraternity over a century ago. They culminate in the noble traditions of Alpha Chi Rho and represent what our founders believed was the ideal brotherhood. These Landmarks are:

1. 
   Membership from among those who are prepared to realize, in word and deed, the brotherhood of all men.
   
2. 
   The insistence on a high and clean moral standard.
   
3. 
   The paramount duty of brotherly love among members.
   
4. 
   Judgment not by externals, but my intrinsic worth; no one is denied membership into Alpha Chi Rho because of race, creed, or nationality.
   

• 
  Every new member must complete the Postulant Education Program, which lasts at most six consecutive calendar weeks.
  
• 
  Every new member is required to have a 2.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale to be initiated into Alpha Chi Rho, unless the college/university has a higher standard.
  
• 
  Every new member is required to do a minimum of 15 hours of community service during their postulant period.
  
• 
  Every new member is expected to complete 10 hours of studying a week during the Chapter’s study session at a date and room determined by the Scholarship Chairman.
  
• 
  Every new member is expected to look at organizations outside the Greek community and is encouraged to join one.
  
• 
  Every new member must pay the Initiation Fee ($365) before being initiated in Alpha Chi Rho.
  
• 
  Every new member must be current in all financial obligations to the Chapter.
  

Education should be the number one priority throughout the postulancy period, so each new member needs to meet with the head of the scholarship committee and let them know their schedule. The head of the scholarship committee will have dates and times for tutors that are available within the college/university. Also, the scholarship chair will have the dates and location for mandatory study sessions. If any new member has any difficulty with one of their classes they should come to an older Brother or talk to the scholarship committee about ways they can be helped out. (tutors, advisors, etc.)

Community Service is an important aspect of all Greek organizations. Service projects are a great way for students to give back to the neighboring community. Through these services, Brotherhood is strengthened and relationships are formed, while still fulfilling the mission. This is also another way for Postulants to get to know the Brothers and the community they are living in. Postulants are expected to do a minimum of fifteen (15) service hours of service. Talk to the Community Service chair and he will direct you to service hours and dates.

The purpose of alumni development and career development is to gain a better sense of communication with the alumni. This is a great opportunity to have graduate Brothers from your Chapter come back and talk to both the Brothers and postulants about the benefits they have when joining AXP.

*Have Postulants, as individuals, email/snail mail to alumni in their “family tree”.

*Invite alumni to speak to the Chapter as a whole and/or the Postulants to discuss the nature of a lifelong Brotherhood and what it means to them. These can also be at alumni-focused events such as Homecoming, and Chapter Founder’s Day.

The history of Alpha Chi Rho is extremely important. Postulants will have weekly quizzes on the history of the Fraternity on a national level and within their chapter. These quizzes will all accumulate up to the final entrance exam.

No chapter, colony, student (postulant or member) or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing activities. Hazing activities are defined as:

“Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce or causes mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; kidnappings, whether by postulants or active members; 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 such activities that are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy, or the regulations and policies of the educational institution, or applicable state law.”

Adopted from FIPG Risk Management Policy Revised July 2008

Education is our goal

The purpose of Fraternity education is just that - education about the fraternity, about the Chapter and about the college or university. It is education about past and present members of the Fraternity, and it is education about what makes a good member. The goal of Fraternity education is to develop the future leaders of the Chapter. It is the responsibility of every member to educate in a constructive and harmless way. It is the responsibility of every member to see that the anti-hazing standards of FIPG are not violated.

The senseless act of hazing not only creates liability risk for the Chapter and the entire Fraternity, but also hinders the development of the friendships that are the basis of brotherhood and sisterhood. In recent years, a number of states have enacted laws that make hazing an illegal act. This means that, in those states, a lawsuit resulting from a hazing activity might exclude insurance coverage for members who were aware of or condoned a hazing activity. This exclusion would result because you cannot be insured for an illegal act.

Therefore, hazing carries a number of risks, including:

1. A civil lawsuit

2. Criminal prosecution for an illegal act;

3. Discipline by the Fraternity;

4. Discipline by the college or university; and

5. Possible loss of insurance coverage.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So is hazing. What you may consider to be a perfectly harmless way of making your postulant members learn their lessons in education, may, in the view of others, be an act of violence that can be criminal. Hazing is a felony in more than 38 states. In addition, no college administration or fraternity condones nor accepts hazing as a normal part of fraternity education. A major concern with certain activities is that, although the goals may seem lofty and the activity harmless, the Chapter is approaching a slippery slope towards more violent and dangerous activities. The “fun” activities today turn into the disasters of tomorrow. There is no such thing as “Minor” or “Harmless” hazing. The biggest danger in hazing is that it gets out of hand. What begins as an innocent prank can lead to disaster. You are familiar with the apocryphal story of the postulant who was tied to the railroad track, after the Chapter carefully checked the timetable for that particular route - only to discover to their horror that trains do run late.

The role of the undergraduate Chapter is to see that the education program is both enjoyable and rewarding, not only for the new members, but also for the active members. This calls for a precise agenda for membership education, including a list of activities and dates and times. New and old members can participate in any activity, and by being knowledgeable, get more out of activities and the educational experience.

Where hazing begins

Answer these questions about each activity in your postulant/new member education program. If there is one question that has a negative answer, then you know that this activity should be eliminated.

Is this activity an educational experience?

Does this activity promote and conform to the ideal and values of the Fraternity?

Will this activity increase the new members’ respect for the Fraternity and the members of the Chapter?

Is it an activity that postulants and initiated members participate in together?

Would you be willing to allow parents to witness this activity? A judge? The university president?

Does the activity have value in and of itself?

Would you be able to defend it in a court of law?

Does the activity meet both the spirit and letter of the standards prohibiting hazing?

Make the following inquiries of each activity to determine whether or not it is hazing.

1) Is alcohol involved?

2) Will active/current members of the group refuse to participate with the new members and do exactly what they’re being asked to do?

3) Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?

4) Is there risk of injury or a question of safety?

5) Do you have any reservation describing the activity to your parents, to a professor or University official?

6) Would you object to the activity being photographed for the school newspaper or filmed by the local TV news crew?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” the activity is probably hazing.

Adopted from Death By Hazing Sigma Alpha Epsilon. 1988.

Why hazing doesn’t work

Listed below are some of the traditional hazing practices and the negative consequences they are likely to produce. If you need reasons why hazing is inappropriate, the following should help:

Note: Various terms have been introduced to replace the term “postulant” which is most commonly associated with hazing practices.

Some of these alternatives include “new member,” “associate member,” etc. The term “postulant” is used in the following description because it remains a commonly used and easily identifiable term.

a. Can lead to a temporary suppression of the problem. Once the postulant is initiated, will s/he continue to perform in the best interests of the Chapter? In most cases, when the kick in the rear end stops, so will the work.

b. Will not allow the cause of the problem—if one exists, to surface. At times the postulant has a legitimate complaint which would be in the Chapter’s best interest to hear.

c. Could lead to the voluntary de-pledging of an individual who might otherwise become one of the top members of the Chapter, this being a loss no Chapter can afford.

d. Possible physical injury - many people have physical weaknesses of which sometimes even they are unaware. If injury occurs, current officers, the university, and the organization can be sued and held liable.

II. Practice: Pre-initiation or “Hell” weeks with strenuous and excessive programs and events, physical and mental.

Purpose

a. To create a climax to the postulant program, and develop a true appreciation of initiation.

b. To unify the postulant class for the last time.

Negative Reactions:

a. The postulant is in fact glad to be initiated, not so much for the honor of the event, but for the right to be finished with the work. In this instance, the climax really arrives when the pre-initiation week ends, not when initiation begins. This is another way of strengthening the idea that, “Boy, I’m glad postulantship is over because now my work ends” instead of the realization that this is just the beginning of one’s commitment to Chapter membership.

b. In programs with a lack of sufficient sleep and strenuous activities designed to make the postulant less cognizant of what is really happening, the new initiate can be robbed of the true meaning and appreciation of the formal ceremony. Also, as scholarship is supposed to have priority, these programs can in fact be very detrimental to one’s academic achievement.

c. If the Chapter needs this week to unify its postulant class, it points to a flaw in the regular postulant program, as this should already have been accomplished.

• 
  Meetings will take place every Sunday afternoon at 3pm.
  
• 
  Begin with a team building exercise including the whole Brotherhood. (See suggested Postulant Program Events)
  
  • 
    These events are meant to build Brotherhood and responsibility, showing them that they are not alone in the process, rather a team working together to complete the goal.
    
• 
  Discuss the Postulant Program and what is expected of the postulants.
  
• 
  Have Postulants start a list of prospective members.
  
  • 
    Explain the importance of year long recruitment
    
  • 
    Get them to set up a recruitment program during their postulancy period. (If School allows)
    
• 
  Questions about the program should be answered as they are brought up.
  
• 
  Gather all contact information about all Postulants.
  
• 
  Discuss the Big Brother Program. (See Big Brother in Appendix)
  
  • 
    Purpose of a Big Brother
    
  • 
    Have Postulants submit three choices as the Big Brother.
    
• 
  Study Hours: Monday – Thursday 7pm – 9pm.
  
• 
  Brotherhood dinner Monday – Friday 6 pm.
  
• 
  Give the first week of history and other useful information for each week’s quiz.
  

• 
  Know the Landmarks of Alpha Chi Rho
  
• 
  Know the Founding Fathers of Alpha Chi Rho and something significant regarding each one
  
• 
  Know the Fraternity Motto: how to spell it in Greek and what it translates to in English
  
• 
  Know the Greek Alphabet and their symbols
  
• 
  Know the Greek community on campus
  
• 
  Where was Alpha Chi Rho founded- Chapter and School?
  
• 
  What is the founding date?
  

• 
  Postulant Pinning Ceremony after Brotherhood meeting (See Postulant Educator Manual for ceremony script)
  

• 
  Big Brother Night
  
  • 
    Postulants will receive their Big Brothers through the individual Chapter’s ceremony.
    

• 
  Facilitate a Postulant team building event and discuss why we did this event.
  
• 
  Explain all officer job descriptions and hold elections for the postulant class executive board. (See Officer description in Appendix)
  
  • 
    President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Risk Manager, along with Social Chair and Project Chair.
    
• 
  Study Hours: Monday – Thursday 7pm – 9pm.
  
• 
  Brotherhood dinner Monday – Friday 6 pm.
  
• 
  Discuss what projects and events are already planned for the semester
  
• 
  Discuss the Postulant project done to help the Chapter.
  
• 
  Discuss the projected date of initiation of the Postulants.
  
• 
  Present to the Postulants the second week of Fraternity history for week 2 quiz.
  
  • 
    Know the Chapter name and founding date of our Phi
    
  • 
    What is the name of the Fraternity magazine
    
  • 
    Know the seven elements of the Fraternity’s Crest
    
  • 
    What is the highest legislative body of Alpha Chi Rho? When did it meet and how often?
    
  • 
    What is the only committee every Chapter is required to have?
    

• 
  IFC New Member Meeting
  

• 
  Facilitate a Postulant Program event (Try a serious event)
  
• 
  Discuss the event
  
• 
  Distribute a list of all Chapter committees and encourage all Postulants to get involved with at least one of them.
  
• 
  Brotherhood Dinner Monday – Friday 6pm.
  
• 
  Discuss Fraternity history for Week 3 quiz.
  
  • 
    When and where was the first Convention held?
    
  • 
    Know why there were no National Conventions held between 1943-1946.
    
  • 
    What is the significance of 1971 in relation to the Fraternity?
    
  • 
    Who is Curly Walden?
    
  • 
    Why is headquarters named after Robert B. Stewart?
    
  • 
    What is Alpha Chi Rho’s community service program?
    
  • 
    What are the five national philanthropies under this program?
    

• 
  Scholarship Chair: Educational presentation related to academic success. (9 pm)
  

• 
  Ritual Officer: Study Hours discussing Fraternity history. (8 pm)
  

• 
  Postulant Program event (try a recommended physical event)
  
• 
  Discuss the progress of the event
  
• 
  Coordinate an Alumni event to participate with the Postulant class.
  
• 
  Continue discussing the Postulant project for the Chapter.
  
• 
  Collect a Postulant grade summary for each individual postulant and have Scholastic chair work with any Postulants falling behind.
  
• 
  Brotherhood dinners Monday – Friday 6 pm.
  
• 
  Study hours Monday – Thursday 7 – 9pm
  
• 
  Present Fraternity history for week 4 quiz.
  
  • 
    When was the Alpha Chi Rho Educational Foundation incorporated?
    
  • 
    Know what occurred at the National Convention in 1948.
    
  • 
    What is the name of our annual sporting event and what sport is played?
    
  • 
    Know which organization is credited as the first Greek organization.
    
  • 
    When and where was it founded?
    

• 
  Plan trip to visit a nearby Chapter for the weekend.
  

• 
  Fundraiser on campus (11am - 2pm)
  

• 
  Visit a nearby Chapter of AXP
  

• 
  Facilitate Postulant Program event (Man in the Mirror)
  
• 
  Discuss the event
  
• 
  Discuss the visit to the other Chapter.
  
• 
  Begin the physical work of Postulant class project.
  
• 
  Remind Postulants initiation fee needs to be paid before initiation date.
  
• 
  Brotherhood dinners Monday – Friday 6pm
  
• 
  Study hours Monday – Thursday 7pm – 9pm
  
• 
  Distribute history for Week 5 quiz
  
  • 
    What is the AXPEF?
    
  • 
    Who is eligible to receive a loan from the AXPEF?
    
  • 
    Know the Amici.
    
  • 
    What three fraternities comprise the Union Triad?
    
  • 
    What three fraternities comprise the Miami Triad?
    
  • 
    Why are these triads important?
    

• 
  Postulants will put together an article to be submitted into the Garnet and White.
  

• 
  Community Service Event (2pm)
  

• 
  Alumni event at 1 pm.
  

• 
  Discuss final events of postulant program.
  
• 
  Finish up Postulant project
  
• 
  Pay last of Initiation fee if needed.
  
• 
  Brotherhood dinners Monday - Thursday 6pm
  
• 
  Study hours Monday – Thursday 7pm – 9pm
  
• 
  Distribute last part of history for the Exoteric Test
  
  • 
    Know how to draw the labarum.
    
  • 
    Know what the ensign is and what it looks like.
    
  • 
    Know the Executive Board structure.
    
  • 
    What is the maximum loan someone may receive?
    
  • 
    Know the Alpha Chi Rho Educational Foundation’s web address.
    
  • 
    How much is the AXP National Initiation Fee members must pay before initiation?
    
  • 
    Learn your Chapter’s history.
    

• 
  Study hours with Ritual Officer to discuss any questions on history of the Fraternity (9pm)
  

• 
  Take the Final Exoteric Examination (7pm)
  

• 
  Initiation of Postulant Brothers into the Brotherhood of Alpha Chi Rho!!
  

A Big Brother is a close friend and confidant to his New Little Brother. He is able to give insurmountable amounts of support or advice when needed, whether it deals with scholastic, personal, or fraternal problems/questions. Big Brothers are the people who Postulants should be comfortable enough to approach at any time of the day to help them develop an understanding about the Fraternity and what Brotherhood really means.

Within the first two weeks of the Postulant period, each Postulant will be given a list of all active members able to participate in the Big Brother program. The Postulants will then submit a list of three (3) members who they would like to have as their Big, and the active will do the same for a Little Brother. The Big Brother must be an active member in good standing with the Fraternity and Chapter. From the lists, the Big and Little Brothers will be matched up accordingly.

1. 
   The Big Brother should be a close friend to his Little Brother.
   
2. 
   The Big Brother should make sure that his Little Brother understands and fulfills all expectations of Postulancy program.
   
3. 
   The Big Brother meets with his Little Brother at least once a week to discuss any questions, problems, or concerns he may have at the time.
   
4. 
   He must help the Little Brother to actively participate in all social activities of the Fraternity and Greek life on campus.
   
5. 
   He should notify the Postulant Educator if there are any conflicts that may arise throughout the Postulancy period.
   

You will meet with your Postulant class at regularly scheduled times set by the Postulant Educator. It is important that you are in attendance at all these meetings considering it is at this time you are informed of what is going on for the week, such as Chapter activities, and other meetings. You will also plan out class projects, take quizzes, and learn the history of Alpha Chi Rho. If, for any reason, you are not able to attend a New Member Meeting you must inform the Postulant Educator and your Postulant class. This is important to teach you the significance of high levels of communication and the results of success. Along with communication amongst each other, you will need an Executive Board to have some control of what is going on with the class. With that in mind, there will be governing officers for the Postulancy program which will direct the Postulants in a positive direction.

1. 
   Conducts all New Member meetings outside of meetings with the Postulant Educator.
   
2. 
   Oversees the activities and performances of the other Postulant class officers making sure they carry out all their responsibilities.
   
3. 
   Keeps good communication with the Postulant Educator concerning the progress of the Postulant class and any individual problems.
   

1. 
   Act in place of the President’s absence.
   
2. 
   Notify Postulants of all Chapter activities, new member meetings, or any other meetings that have a required attendance.
   
3. 
   Report to the President.
   

1. 
   Keep a good budget for the Postulant class.
   
2. 
   Report funds requested for any class project to the Postulant Educator.
   
3. 
   Collect receipts from any purchase to pass on to the Postulant Educator.
   
4. 
   Contact and meet with the Chapter Treasurer.
   

1. 
   Take New Member meeting minutes outside of the regular meetings.
   
2. 
   Report to the Vice President with any information that needs to be addressed to the Postulant class.
   
3. 
   Report to the Postulant Educator with any information discussed at new member meetings.
   

1. 
   Consciously look out for the safety and well-being of the Postulant class at all social events.
   
2. 
   Contact and meet with the Chapter Risk Manager.
   

1. 
   Set up all Postulant class social functions with other fraternities and/or sororities with the Postulant Educator.
   
2. 
   Set up all Postulant class social activities. (i.e. meal gatherings, study sessions, etc.)
   
3. 
   Contact and meet with Chapter Social Chair.
   

1. 
   Responsible for planning/executing the Postulant class project.
   
2. 
   Work with the Postulant class Treasurer to secure the funds for the project.
   
3. 
   Contact and meet with Chapter House Manager if project pertains to the house.
   

For a Brother of Alpha Chi Rho, a little Brother is not your best friend in the Fraternity. Nor is it the person that you feel is most like you. A little Brother is not a commodity. They are not a status symbol. Your motives for taking on the responsibility of a little Brother, pure or impure, selfless or selfish, will quickly become apparent and will, in a very real way, affect the future of this postulant. Be it to his benefit or detriment. 

A little Brother will be your sole responsibility to maintain and protect throughout the remainder of postulancy, into brotherhood, and to the future afterward. 

It is a responsibility that can never be removed. For better or for worse, the bond between a big Brother and a little brother is permanent. Keep this always in mind." 

"(Name of postulant), do you understand all that I have said?" 

(To postulant) "Postulant in the bond, do you hereby pledge to respect your big Brother in all fraternal matters, and to trust in his advice to guide you?" 

(To Brother) "Brother in the bond, do you hereby pledge to guide your little Brother through the remainder of postulancy, to be his advisor, his confidant, his advocate, and above all, to be his Brother and friend?" 

"As a sign of your new bond, please light the candle of your little Brother." 

"Congratulations. You have all taken one step closer to entering this brotherhood. From this point on, you are a member of your respective lineage. May you always strive to bring honor to it.