LAMBDA TAU OMEGA SORORITY, INCORPORATED has a zero-tolerance policy on hazing. The policy is embodied in numerous Lambda Tau Omega documents that are disseminated to members, including the Sister Code of Conduct, New Member Education Guidelines and the Anti-Hazing Agreement members are required to sign. In addition, the policy is embodied in documents disseminated to applicants/ prospective members, including the New Member Education Contract (“no hazing contract”), which all applicants/ prospective members are required to sign. The policy expressly prohibits all acts and forms of hazing, before, during and after the New Member Education Program. The prohibition covers all hazing activities, whether physical, mental or emotional, including but not limited to, pre-initiation and/or underground activities (which is anything in addition to or contrary to approved activities); paddling; beating; slapping; pushing; depriving of sleep; pulling on one’s hair; requiring the consumption of alcohol or drugs; forcing or requiring the consumption of foods that an applicant/ prospective member finds disagreeable; yelling; humiliating; harassing; belittling; cursing; any morally degrading, illegal, or indecent action.

Any member of Lambda Tau Omega who participates in any form of hazing, or who is aware of hazing or allegations of hazing, and fails to report such shall be sanctioned according to Lambda Tau Omega’s Code of Conduct. Any applicant/ prospective member who consents to hazing, who participates in hazing by allowing herself to be hazed, or who is aware of hazing, but fails to report it shall be barred from membership in Lambda Tau Omega.

Reports shall be made to the National New Member Education Director. All hazing reports must be sufficiently detailed to enable those to whom a report is made to take action. If any member or applicant/ prospective member reports hazing and does not receive a positive response, she should immediately escalate the reporting to the next level. Anyone reporting hazing always has the option of contacting the National President and/or National Vice President directly, at any time.

“HAZING” refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that HUMILIATES, DEGRADES or risks EMOTIONAL and/or PHYSICAL HARM, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. 

“Hazing” may include but is not limited to the following: binge drinking and drinking games; personal servitude; sleep deprivation and restrictions on personal hygiene; yelling, swearing and insulting new members/pledges individually or collectively; inappropriate consumption of any substances or smearing of such on one’s skin; brandings including the use of markers; physical beatings; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; sexual simulation and sexual assault; kidnapping and Excellence through Unity, Knowledge and Dedication blindfolding; being forced to wear apparel which is embarrassing, humiliating, or not morally in good taste; quests; treasure hunts; scavenger hunts; morally-degrading or humiliating games and activities; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; road trips; and/or any other activity which is inconsistent with academic achievement, fraternal, college or university policy, or applicable city, county, state, province, tribal federal or country law.  

Lambda Tau Omega shall impose sanctions upon any members, chapters, and applicants/ prospective members who are involved in any form of hazing, including being aware of and not reporting hazing or allegations of hazing to the National New Member Education Director. The type of sanctions to be imposed upon chapters and members depends on the nature of the violation and any history of any such prior violations.

 For Chapters, the range of sanctions includes any one of the following: denial of the right to conduct the New Member Education Process; suspension for a certain time; and revocation of Chapter charter. With respect to individual members, the range of sanctions includes suspension and/or expulsion. Suspension automatically includes the denial of the right to participate in any Lambda Tau Omega activities on a local, regional, or national level. Expulsion means that Lambda Tau Omega has revoked all rights and privileges of membership, including, but not limited to, the right to attend or participate in any Lambda Tau Omega functions; the right of a woman to represent herself as a member of Lambda Tau Omega; the right to wear paraphernalia; and the right to refer to members of Lambda Tau Omega as “Sisters.” Both a chapter and an individual may be assessed a monetary fine, as appropriate.

 With respect to applicants/prospective members, the sanction is denial of membership in the Sorority.

 Finally, given that hazing is a crime in multiple states, Lambda Tau Omega will not defend any member who is charged with hazing. Anyone interested in obtaining more information on Lambda Tau Omega’s Anti-Hazing Policy may contact the National New Member Education Director.