Alpha Phi Alpha: A Legacy of Greatness, the Demands of Transcendence

11. Hazing and Pledging in Alpha Phi Alpha: An Organizational Behavior Perspective

313 11 Hazing and Pledging in Alpha Phi Alpha An Organizational Behavior Perspective Oscar Holmes IV For decades, organizational behavior (OB) scholars have researched issues pertaining to a variety of organizations (e.g., private, for-profit, nonprofit, and governmental agencies). Their research findings have undoubtedly contributed to our knowledge and understanding of the complex dynamics of organizations . However, OB scholars have made few attempts to study the complexities of black Greek-letter organizations (BGLOs). In fact, the chapter by eminent OB scholars Laura Morgan Roberts and Lynn Perry Wooten is one of the only works that deals specifically with BGLOs.1 Their important contribution connects the positive organizational scholarship movement within management literature with many of the outstanding achievements BGLOs can claim, such as creating positive and supportive communities for their members, fostering economic development for underprivileged classes, and engaging in monumental political activism to obtain equal rights for minorities. Positive organizational scholarship is a framework for understanding and improving organizational behavior by focusing on positive organizational mechanisms.2 Despite all the positive activities BGLOs participate in, hazing practices undoubtedly sully and at times overshadow these positives.3 As such, one of the most significant issues affecting BGLOs is the violation of the membership intake process (MIP) by their own members. If this cantankerous issue is not resolved, hazing will continue to lead to physical, psychological, and emotional abuse or, worse, death to those involved in the process and the unfortunate implosion of these otherwise august organizations. Considering that OB scholars research complex processes within organizations, it is appropriate that these scholars apply and test organizational theories and research findings in a broader range of organizations, such as BGLOs. Although some characteristics make them different from most companies, BGLOs are similar to other organizations in that they have complex organizational cultures, standards, rules, values, and norms. For those readers unfamiliar with how BGLOs operate, 314 Oscar Holmes IV this chapter suggests that BGLOs can be viewed similarly to some nonprofit organizations, given that BGLOs employ a few paid staff members, but much of their work is done by the throng of volunteer members. Esteemed OB scholar Myrtle Bell constantly advises researchers to do work that matters. Likewise, eminent OB methodologist Herman Aguinis advises researchers to spend their time working to resolve pressing issues. In an attempt to improve the fraternity and protect the health of its members, this chapter attempts to answer their call by addressing the pressing and important issue of hazing. Indeed, eliminating hazing while maintaining the positive aspects of a pledge process is an issue that lends itself well to investigation from an OB perspective. Doing so could provide valuable information on the generalizability of some of our organizational theories and models and solve important issues in nontraditional organizations. Hazing versus Pledging Hazing and pledging are often viewed as being the same or inseparable.4 In fact, in a laudable effort to immediately eliminate hazing among their ranks, in 1990 the “Great Eight” presidents agreed to establish an MIP that no longer required prospective members to pledge.5 Unfortunately, these commendable efforts have not ended hazing practices.6 Several scholars have even suggested that MIP has exacerbated the issue by pushing hazing underground, which makes the process more difficult to monitor and manage.7 In addition, there is substantial contention within the membership over hazing and pledging. Many members believe that—in the hasty adoption of the new MIP mandates—their beloved organizations have essentially thrown out the proverbial baby (pledging , which they view as good) with the bathwater (hazing, which many in the organization view as bad).8 As it is, hazing and pledging are not necessarily the same or inseparable.9 It is the position of this author that hazing should not occur but that an appropriate pledge process is an acceptable component of BGLOs. Although there is much disagreement among BGLO members (and potential members) over which activities should and should not be considered hazing, states, universities, and all BGLOs have enacted similar definitions of hazing.10 Given that Alpha Phi Alpha was the first collegiate BGLO, this chapter highlights the fraternity’s definition of hazing. The Standing Orders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., state: HAZING . . . is any action taken or situation created that involves or results in abusive physical contact or mental harassment of a prospective Hazing and Pledging in Alpha Phi Alpha 315 Fraternity member. Any such action is...