Membership
Founded on the campus of Howard University on January 16, 1920, our Sisterhood is comprised of diverse, professional women who have earned their baccalaureate degree and maintain a firm dedication to upholding the principles of Scholarship, Service, Finer Womanhood and Sisterhood throughout their college campuses and communities.
Membership is granted by invitation only. We encourage women with high ethical, moral, cultural standards to attend the public events that are hosted by our local chapters to get acquainted with the members and local programming.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated does not tolerate hazing in any form.
It is my esteemed pleasure to serve as the New York State Undergraduate Coordinator. The Founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated were strong, principled coeds who possessed a great deal of modesty, strength of character and pride in academic achievement. As our beloved sorority moves toward “OUR Centennial”, it retains its original zest for excellence. New York State will build upon this legacy by supporting our Undergraduate Sorors in all of their endeavors on and off-campus. The “Future is Finer” Sorors. Let’s Work!
Denise N. Gray
New York State Undergraduate Coordinator
NYSUndergradcoordinator@gmail.com
Reclaiming Your Membership
Soror,
We miss you, we need you, come back home.
For more information about our surrounding New York Chapters, please contact our New York State Reclamation Chair, Soror Wanda Julien at NYSZetaReclamation@gmail.com
Finer Women Don’t Haze
HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW:
- 1.5 million high school students are hazed each year
- 92% will not report being hazed
- 10% of college students will admit to being hazed
- 36% of college students will not report hazing
- 46% of college students are aware of hazing but will remain silent
There are no illusions or myths that any program, such as “Finer Women Don’t Haze” Campaign (FWDH), strategy, slogan, current laws, or jargon is going to dramatically or significantly change the culture of hazing overnight or instantly. However, we must begin somewhere and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated must offer its voice in this discourse by………
- recognizing that hazing is real and co-exists with our policies and procedures against hazing
- bringing awareness and attention to an issue that is kept underground, in secret, hidden, and unspoken
- promoting open dialogue and discussion in the Greek-letter community, campuses, local schools, churches, community-wide organizations, etc. on the issue of hazing
- networking with other Greek-letter fraternities/sororities, national, state, and local community organizations by providing programs in elementary, middle, and high schools that addresses
- contacting lawmakers at the local, state, and federal levels to strengthen current laws and pass
TYPES OF HAZING HAVE INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:
SUBTLE HAZING
This type of hazing is often thought of as harmless or insignificant. The behavior usually involves activities or attitudes that cross the line of mutual respect, appropriate standards, and places the individual on the receiving end of ridicule and/or humiliation practices. This type of hazing will be endured or tolerated because the individual feels it is part of becoming a member of the group or team.
MENTAL HAZING
This type of hazing is psychologically abusive and can leave long-lasting emotional scars. Yelling, demeaning name calling, profane remarks, drills, line-ups, threats, silence, isolation, being singled out for demeaning duties not assigned to others, running errands, or carrying out other types of servitude.
PHYSICAL OR VIOLENT HAZING
This type of hazing behavior is extremely dangerous and can cause serious physical/psychological harm and in some cases death. This type of hazing can trigger a predisposed medical or psychological condition. Since the 1800s, 163 deaths have been attributed to this form of hazing. The behaviors include branding, paddling, punching, placed in dangerous situations or facilities.
CYBER-BULLYING
This is a relative new form of hazing that exposes an individual to communications made through e-mails, cell phones, unauthorized posted pictures on websites and/or other social media, internet chat rooms, other telecommunications by seeking to intimidate, control, manipulate, stalk, torment, harass, ridicule, put down, falsely discredit, and/or humiliate the recipient of cyber-bullying. This type of hazing behavior is deliberate, repeated, and hostile. Cyber-Bullying target can also result in psychological/emotional scars that are long-lasting. Please check your state for the laws concerning Cyber-Bullying. In some states, it is a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor depending on the age of the individual being cyber-bullied.
GENERATIONAL HAZING
This type of hazing is passed down through stories about how it was during “their day” and how it made the individual a “real” member of the group or team. Generational hazing consistently talks about being made “the right way.” Often graduates or old members of a group or organization will come back to relive how it was during “their day” and distort this type of behavior as fun and harmless. It is not! This type of hazing is often underground, hidden, and kept silent.
ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND HAZING
Alcohol and drugs affects all of the types of hazing discussed here and often contributes to physical and psychological/emotional harm. Alcohol and drugs can intensify an already troubling situation. Alcohol and drug usage is also denounced in many college/universities Code of Conduct, as well as applicable law enforcement statutes.