South Carolina Calls Proposal to Abolish Pledging a ‘Game Changer’
When the Sigma Chi fraternity chapter at the University of South Carolina at Columbia shut down in March amid hazing allegations, it was the fifth fraternity to be closed or suspended there in less than two years. Now university officials are considering a more drastic step: eliminating the pledging process at all Greek organizations. The proposed policy would abolish the formal pledging period and replace it with a university-run education, training, and assessment process for students interested in joining Greek life; a "rush," the traditional time for students to visit different fraternities and sororities and try to find the best fit; and then one week for more chapter-specific education between students’ accepting a bid and becoming official new members.