This statement of the rights and responsibilities of those
individuals who are applicants for membership in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority ("Sorority") is for the dual purpose of:
1. setting forth in a summary form, the Sorority's fundamental
principles regarding the rights of an applicant to be free from harassment, whether by physical or mental abuses associated
with hazing activities, by individual members or chapters of the Sorority during the membership Intake Program and
2. correspondingly, the responsibilities and obligations of the applicant not to allow
herself to be subjected to such abuses, nor to participate in any activity during which these abuses occur; and to report
such abuses or occurrences forth-with to the Sorority's chapter officers, chapter advisors, Regional Officers, National
Officers and National Headquarters, as appropriate.
The membership
Intake Program of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the Sorority's governing documents contain absolute prohibitions against
hazing related activities before, during and after the Membership Intake Program (MIP) and provide for specific sanctions
against individual members and chapters for violations of these prohibitions. Potential members of the Sorority have
the right to become knowledgeable about the organization, to learn the rules, responsibilities and benefits of membership
in environments that pose no risk to their persons.
The Code of Conduct
is embodied in this Applicant Rights and Responsibilities Statement and sets forth the types of improper conduct on the part
of Sorors, applicants, and candidates which the Sorority considers unacceptable. Such improper and unacceptable conduct is
subject to the sanctions or fines or both as listed in the Code of Conduct.
The following are examples of conduct that are deemed unacceptable and violate the Sorority's policies in connection
with the Membership Intake Program.
1. Pre-initiation and/or
underground activities are in violation of the Sorority's most
sacred trust. "Underground" is anything
that is contrary to approved activities.
2. HAZING and abuse
are expressly prohibited. These include, but are not limited to:
- a.
PHYSICAL HAZING
Examples include: paddling, beating, slapping, kicking, pushing, blindfolding, sleep deprivation, exercising
of any kind, tearing clothes, disruption of hair styles and/or damage of hair, consumption of alcohol, use of drugs, forcing
the use of alcohol, drugs or the drinking of so-called "Blue Punch". - b. EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZING
Examples include: any morally degrading, illegal, or indecent activity or
any type of activity that may be in violation of legal statutes or policies of the colleges or universities; cursing, yelling,
humiliating, and belittling. - c. Behavior that disrupts an individual's
academic, professional, and personal endeavors.
- d. Action or activity
that abridges a person's moral, religious or dietary beliefs.
3.
Unapproved work and/or other activities. Any road trip that would make it necessary for an applicant or candidate to travel
extreme distances or under hazardous conditions or any activity that would endanger an applicant or candidate.
4. Requiring any association with other organizations that would be demeaning
and indecent.
5. Running errands, buying food, gifts, or personal
items, etc. for chapter members or other Sorors.
If an applicant
for membership in the Sorority allows herself to be the subject of such abuses, or participates in any activity, including
the observation of same, and/or fails to report such abuses to appropriate Sorority officials -- Chapter Officers, State Officers,
Regional Officers, National Officers and National Headquarters -- she may be deemed as having participated in and been party
to such violations and subject to the penalties imposed.