Presentation of New Members
New Member Presentation Policy
Issued: May 30, 2024 | Effective: July 1, 2024
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure that new member presentations are conducted in a manner that is appropriate and is the best representation of the organization and university.
All organizations participating in new membership presentations (also known as "probates") must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Presentation of new members must take place no more than 15 calendar days after the members have been initiated into the organization or by the membership intake completion deadline established by the Office of Student Activities & Leadership Development. Request for extended time must be approved by the Office of Student Activities.
- A copy of the reservation confirmation notice must be submitted to the Assistant Director for Programs and Greek Life or designee.
- Presentations are to take place in the approved location on the reservation form.
- No explicit or revealing attire is to be worn by the new members or other show participants/performers.
- Only cirrent members or advisors are allowed to participate in the presentation.
- Disparaging comments about other organizations or use of foul language will not be tolerated.
- Attendees and participants must adhere to the University's policy on drugs and alcohol.
- No physical abuse will be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: slapping, kicking, spitting, punching, pushing, poking, caning, etc. Canes, staffs, sticks, etc. may be used as a part of the performance, but may not be used as a weapon to harm another individual.
- In the event of a fight during the presentation, those fighting will be disciplined immediately by the appropriate person (e.g., Coordinator for Fraternity/Sorority Life, graduate advisor, chapter president). If a member of the presenting organization is involved, the presentation show will be stopped immediately (see Violations section for further details).
- Disruptions by other attending organizations will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: walking through the presenters' show, talking over the presenting organization, etc.
- Presentations must begin no later than 8 p.m. and last no longer than 2 hours. Following the show, members of the presenting organization must vacate the area withing 60 minutes to assist with crowd disbursement. The presenting organization will be responsible for ensuring the site used is left in its original state after use.
- A Student Activities/Leadership Development staff member (professional or graduate) MUST attend all new member presentations. Ther presenting organization must coordinate the schedule with the staff member who will be present.
DEFINITIONS
Anchor - last person of the line
Call - a sound that is unique among organizations; used by members to recognize one another
Captain - person who is considered the leader of the line Cat - term used, primarily by NPHC
women, to define a young lady who did not participate in a hazing process to become
part of the organization
Dean of Pledges (DP) - overseer of the membership intake process
Graduate Advisor - supervises and advises the activities of the undergraduate chapter, and is a member
of the undergraduate chapter’s sponsoring Graduate Chapter; generally an unpaid volunteer
Graduate Chapter - consists of college graduates who may have been initiated into
an undergraduate chapter or a graduate chapter; sponsors the undergraduate chapter
and oversees its activities
Informational - a meeting held by a chapter for prospective members who are seeking general information
about the organization Intake - membership recruitment process
Interest Meeting - a formal meeting held by the organization for potential members
that details the application process and rules of the organization; generally geared
to potential members who have a serious interest
Jewel - a founder of an NPHC organization
Line Brothers/Sisters - individuals who are members of the same intake class
Neophyte - the newest members of an organization; also referred to as “Neos”; typically designated
as such until another intake process occurs
Paper - a derogatory term used to refer to members who were not hazed during the intake
process
Pearl - See “Jewel”
Probate - a show used to introduce new members of the organization Association of Fraternity
Advisors: NPHC Membership Intake Guide 15
Prophyte - a member who has experienced at least one intake process as a member of an organization
Rush / Tea - See “Interest Meeting”
Sands - individuals from different chapters who joined their respective organizations during
the same semester
Session / Set - a descriptive name for a planned hazing activity at a certain location
Ship - people who are members of the same intake class
Skater - See “Paper”
Smoker - See “Interest Meeting”
Soror - term used to identify members of the same sorority; sometimes used to refer to any
sorority woman
Special / Spesh - a mentoring relationship between a new member and an established chapter member;
generally selected while the new member is going through the intake process; can also
be used regionally to describe a person going through intake who shares the number
of an initiated member
Step - a series of complex, synchronous, and precise rhythmic body movements performed
to the tune of stomps, songs, or chants created by organization members
Tail - See “Anchor” Underground - term used to identify members who have participated in
an illegal intake process and are not official members of the organization
Wood - a paddle; a term often used to describe hazing in which aspirants or new members
are hit with a paddle by initiated members
SANCTIONS
Violations to this policy will result in an immediate cease and desist of the organization
until a review process is conducted by the Office of Student Activities and Leadership
Development. If the organization is found in violation of any of the policies, sanctions
may include suspension of the organization, suspension of members (if the code of
conduct is violated), a fine imposed on the chapter or community service, as deemed
appropriate by the Director of Student Activities and Leadership Development.
Additional Notes:
- At least (2) chapter advisors (on-campus or off-campus) MUST be in attendance at all New Member Presentations.
- It is the chapter's responsibility to notify visiting and alumni members of all Alabama A&M University’s New Member Presentation rules.
- If a New Member Presentation does not occur, new members must be presented in some formal way (reception, tweet, email, flyer, Instagram, etc.) acknowledging all new members.
