HAZING FEATURE
In 1935, the six living founders had joined in recommendations with Henry Arthur Callis heading the list, others following Charles H. Chapman, George B. Kelley, Nathaniel A. Murray, Robert H. Ogle, and Vertner W. Tandy. After each name, there was placed the word “Founder.” It was the first such document in the history of the fraternity against hazing in initiation. The Recommendations were: We the founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity have taken just, yet modest pride, in the growth and development during a quarter of a century. In a less personal way we have watched with satisfaction the successful establishment of other collegiate fraternities and sororities. We have recognized that their work and progress have been a stimulus to Alpha Phi Alpha. Since the reception into the fraternities of the first initiates, we have taken no undue advantage of our position as founders and have recognized the essential requisite of the democratic principle in our brotherhood and the wisdom of local traditions built upon local customs. This conception of democratic integration became a foundation stone of the General Organization, when the mother chapter foreswore its peculiar rights and privileges at the First General Convention in 1908. Since the close of the first convention, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has been remarkably faithful to the purposes and ideals of the founders. The Alpha spirit is a tradition among Negro college men that is destined to influence the position of Negroes for generations. We, the founders, are jealous that that influence shall remain unsullied. From time to time through many generations of college men there have come to our ears complaints of brutality and physical violence in our initiations. Graduate, as well as undergraduate chapters, have indicated their local autonomy. General Conventions and general officers have cautioned moderation to no avail. The establishment of the initiatory ceremonies by the Founders was and still is intended to be a solemn, impressive rite. On this account, we, the living and active founders, do submit the following recommendations and pray that they may be properly referred for immediate consideration: • That the General Convention exercising its constitutional powers prohibit immediately the use of physical violence in any degree whatever, not in consonance with section 12 of our ritual in any and every Alpha Phi Alpha initiatory ceremony or any procedure contrary thereto. • That the names of the members of each ritual committee be forwarded to the general secretary at the time when the names of candidates are submitted. • That each initiation ceremony exclusive of the reading of the constitution shall be completed in one night. • That no part of such ceremony shall occur outside the house, ballroom, or building provided for that purpose. • That all pre-initiatory ceremonies, such as “Hell Week,” “Stunt Week,” etc., shall be abolished. • That the penalty for any violation of these orders shall be suspension of the offending chapter by the General Convention. Upon the presentation of evidence to the council of any initiation above referred to, the offending chapter shall have its charter, seal, rights, and privileges withdrawn until such time as a succeeding General Convention, by a two-third vote, may restore such chapter to good and active standing. • That within thirty days after the adoption of these recommendations by the General Convention, the general president and general secretary shall transmit same over their respective signatures to the proper officer of each chapter and that the editor of The Sphinx shall publish said orders in the next ensuing issue of The Sphinx. Respectfully submitted, HENRY ARTHUR CALLIS, Founder CHARLES H. CHAPMAN, Founder GEORGE B. KELLEY, Founder NATHANIEL A. MURRAY, Founder VERTNER W. TANDY, Founder
FALL/WINTER 2014
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