St. Mary's University has so much to offer and we want you to take full advantage of the many opportunities we have to offer. While academic achievement is the university's top priority, co-curricular activities which will enhance your academic education to contribute to your overall college experience. These organizations provide excellent exposure to campus leadership opportunities, community service activities, and scholarship programming. Take full advantage of all that you see and hear as you embark on your journey at St. Mary's and do not be afraid to ask questions and challenge what you hear. A decision to join a Greek organization is a lifetime decision that can provide endless rewards and a new window of opportunity for its members. Greek life opens a new window of opportunity for its members.

What is Recruitment?

Recruitment (aka rush) is the process that Greek Letter organizations use to introduce their chapter to potential new members. Recruitment takes shape in many different formats. It can be a single event such as a Bar-B-Q or a series of events over a span of time. These structured events give potential new members the opportunity to check out the different chapters and ask questions. Whether you know 100% that Greek Life is for you or you aren't sure, we encourage you to go through Recruitment. There's no commitment. It's a great way to meet people and gain a new perspective on Greek Life. Each organization follows a different recruitment format.

What do I have to do in order to participate in Recruitment?

In order to participate in recruitment, students must meet the minimum St. Mary's membership eligibility requirement.

Affiliating or associating a student organization requires the completion of at least12 hours(dual credit, APP credit and CLEP credit do not count toward this requirement) and at least a 2.0 last semester and cumulative grade point average. Last semester grades must be based off full time status (at least 12 hours taken within the same semester). Most organizations require a higher GPA.

If you feel you are interest in joining Greek Life, you will be asked to fill out a recruitment application/ grade release form which will allow us to check your eligibility for membership. Transfer students and upperclassmen are usually eligible for Fall Recruitment. Transfer Students may need to submit their transcripts for verification.

Fall Recruitment is the "smaller" of the recruitment periods. Groups abide by the Greek Life Office recruitment regulations with the end goal of having each potential member to get to meet all the respective groups and make the best decision for them individually. In the spring, the membership recruitment period tends to be larger and more structure for the purpose of helping newly eligible students (second semester freshman) through the recruitment process. Each respective council plays a larger role in planning Spring Recruitment and work together to attract young men and women to learn more about all social Greek organizations.

Can I join more than more Greek Letter organization?

It depends on which organizations you are interested in joining. Traditional social Greek Letter organizations limit your membership to only one social Greek Letter group. These chapters are members of the Interfraternity Council (IFC) or the College Panhellenic Council (CPC) and may include other Greek Letter organizations. You may however join a non-social Greek Letter organization in addition to a social Greek Letter organization. These organizations are service or academic based organizations. It is recommended that you do not affiliate or associate with more than one organizations during the same semester. Your affiliation or association period will require a good amount of time and it may not be wise to over commit yourself. To find out more about the differences between these groups check out our Organizations link.

How much does it cost to join a Greek Letter organization?

Each Greek Letter organization has different membership fees. On average they range from $195 to $300 per semester for active members. New members will pay a higher membership fee their first semester due to the inclusion of one-time membership fees. On average, new member fees range from $217 to $475 for the first semester. Members may pay additional costs for t-shirts or events that they would like to attend.

Don't Greek organizations haze?

St. Mary's University, along with the national chapter headquarters work together to educate all Greek members of the hazards of hazing. Hazing is not permitted in any situation. All members will participate in an educational session on Hazing and will receive a copy of the Texas Hazing Statue as well as their New Member Bill of Rights. . Any student or organization that is alleged to be in violation of the Texas Hazing Statue will be referred to the Judicial Officer for an investigation and hearing. Chapters and/or individual members found guilty of hazing will be sanctioned by the University as well as their chapter's national headquarters. Sanctions can range from fines to membership severance to expulsion from the University.

If I go through Recruitment, do I have to join?

Recruitment is gives you the opportunity to explore Greek Life without any commitment. Recruitment events give you the opportunity to check out what Greek Life has to offer you and to ask all your questions. Once you go through Recruitment you may decide that it's not for you. That's okay. You are not required to join any of the organizations you meet. Hopefully, you will walk away with a new perspective on Greek Life and will consider it again in the future.

We Want YOU to Become involved!

St. Mary's University has so much to offer and we want you to take advantage of the many opportunities. While academic achievement is the university's top priority, co-curricular activities which enhance your academic education contribute to your overall college experience. The leadership development and opportunities for sisterhood and brotherhood in Greek life at St. Mary's are endless. Each Greek organization values scholarship, leadership, service, and life- long friendships. These organizations provide excellent exposure to campus leadership opportunities, community service activities, and scholarship programming. Take full advantage of all that you see and hear as you embark on life at St. Mary's and do not be afraid to ask questions and challenge what you hear. A decision to join a Greek organization is a lifetime decision that can provide endless rewards and numerous friendships. Greek life opens a new window of opportunity for its members. Finally, those lasting friendships you will make through recruitment and the association process will be a part of your college career!

Summary of the State of Texas Anti-Hazing Statute

The Texas anti-hazing statute took effect on September 1, 1987. The act covers offenses related to hazing at, or in connection with, educational institutions. Individuals and organizations are both covered by the law. Individuals include active members, associate/new members, affiliates, alumni and advisors. Organizations are defined as any fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, club, cooperative, or service, social, or similar group whose members are mostly students at an educational institution. Thus all Recognized Student Organizations at St. Mary's University are covered by the statute.

The statute covers hazing incidents both on and off University property. One's consent to be hazed is not a defense to the prosecution of any offense under the statute. Individuals who have firsthand knowledge of hazing, including those who are hazed, are required by law to report that knowledge to appropriate University officials. In addition, all incidents of hazing handled by the University must also be referred directly to the Bexar County District Attorney.

Definition of Hazing: Hazing under the statute means any intentional, knowing or reckless act occurring on or off campus, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are, or include, students at St. Mary's University. The term "hazing" under the statute includes, but is not limited to, offenses that subject the student to an unreasonable risk or harm or that adversely affect the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

Specific examples:

1. Physical brutality is defined, but not limited to: whipping, beating, striking, paddling, branding, electronic shocking, placing a harmful substance on the body or other similar activities;
2. Physical activities that put students at risk or discomfort including, but not limited to, sleep or food deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement to a small space and calisthenics;
3. Forced consumption of substances such as food, alcoholic beverages, drugs or other substances that may affect their mental or physical health;
4. Activities that intimidate or threaten a student with ostracism;
5. Activities that subject the student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation;
6. Activities that affect the mental health or dignity of the student;
7. Activities that induce, cause or require a student to perform an act in violation of the penal code.

Personal Offenses: A person commits an offense under the statute if they:

1. Engage in hazing;
2. Solicit, encourage, direct, aid or attempt to aid another engaged in hazing;
3. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly permit hazing to occur;
4. Have firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing event or have firsthand
5. knowledge that a specific event has occurred and fail to report that knowledge in writing to appropriate St. Mary's University officials.

Penalties for Personal Offenses: The court may impose both a fine and confinement for any offense. In all cases, except when an offense has caused the death of a student, the court may require a person to perform community service under the same provisions as the criminal code allows.

Specific penalties:

1. Failure to report hazing is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $1000; confinement in the County jail for not more than 180 days.
2. An offense not causing bodily injury is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not less than $500, nor more than $1000; confinement in the County jail for not less than 90 days, nor more than 180 days.
3. Offenses causing serious bodily injury are misdemeanors punishable by a fine not less than $1000, nor more than $5000; confinement in the County jail for not less than 180 days.
4. Offenses causing death are misdemeanors punishable by a fine not less than $5000, nor more than $10,000; confinement in the County jail for not less than one year, nor more than two years, or both such, fine and confinement.

Organizational Offenses: An organization commits an offense if the organization condones or encourages hazing, or if an officer or any combination of members, new members or alumni of the organization commits or assists in the commission of hazing.

Penalties for Organizational Offenses: An organizational offense is considered a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5000, nor more than $10,000, for the organization. If the court finds the offense caused personal injury, property damage or other loss, the court may sentence the organization to pay a fine of not less than $5000, nor more than double the amount lost or expenses incurred because of such damage, injury or loss.

Provision for Immunity: The law provides for immunity from prosecution under the statute to a person who is subpoenaed to testify for the prosecution and who does testify for the prosecution. Any person reporting any specific hazing incident in writing to the appropriate St. Mary's University official is immune from civil or criminal liability. Immunity extends to participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from the report, except that a person reporting hazing in bad faith or with malice is not granted immunity. This statute does not affect or repeal any other penal law of the State of Texas.

Medical treatment of a student who may have been subjected to hazing activities may be reported to police or other law enforcement officials, and the doctor or medical practitioner so reporting shall be immune from civil suit or other liability that might otherwise be imposed or incurred as a result of the report unless the report was made in bad faith or with malice.

Responsibilities of Institutions: Under the statute, St. Mary's University must publish a summary of the statute and distribute or publish a list of organizations that have been disciplined for hazing or convicted for hazing on or off campus during the previous three years. Organizations and individuals at St. Mary's University are also reminded that the University has defined incidents and activities that may be interpreted as hazing by St. Mary's University. These activities correspond to and supplement activities covered by the statute and are listed in the Student Handbook.

Proactive Steps to Stop Hazing:

Providing alternative programming is not the sole solution to rid your organization of hazing. Replacing a questionable activity with another activity does not attack the problem at its foundation. To effectively deal with hazing in your chapter, you should make aggressive efforts to increase:

1. Education of your members
2. Detention of violations by your members
3. Corrective actions; i.e., address problem, tailored responses to an accident
4. Positive programming for your members
5. Develop organization unity of both new members and initiated members
6. Develop problem-solving abilities
7. Instill a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood (if applicable)
8. Develop leadership
9. Educate on the issues of alcohol
10. Educate the membership on risk management

If you would like to report an incident of hazing please call the University Police Department at (210)436-3330.

For more information regarding hazing please visit the following site:
http://www.stophazing.org/

What is T.O.G.A.S?

T.O.G.A.S., which stands for Teaching Outstanding Greek Attributes and Standards, is the new member education program sponsored by the Greek Life Office. This program is held at the beginning of each semester. T.O.G.A.S. covers important topics such as hazing, alcohol use and abuse, and team building skills. In addition, participants will get the opportunity to meet other chapter members and learn more about Greek Life at St. Mary's University.

T.O.G.A.S is mandatory for all new members of all Greek Letter organizations!

If you were unable to attend T.O.G.A.S., a make-up assignment will need to be completed in lieu of your attendance. The assignment will consist of writing a one to two page, double-spaced, paper for each of the following topics that were discussed during T.O.G.A.S.

1. Hazing/Alcohol/ Sexual Assault
   • Pick one of the two articles below or you may choose to find a separate article.
   • If so, make sure the article has sufficient information, comes from a reliable source, is current, relevant and cited. Write a reflection paper over 2 out of the 3 topics.
   • Discuss the risks/consequences associated with the topics you choose
2. Greek Tenants (Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Brotherhood/Sisterhood)
   • Reflect on the importance of the tenants and what they each mean to you.
   • If you could change, add or replace a tenant, which one would it be and why?
3. History of Greek Life at St. Mary's (including the founding of your chapter)
   • This can be done using your own chapters resources or the information on the Greek Life page
   • Why is it important for a campus, specifically StMU, to have Greek Life?
   .
4. New Member Education Programs
   • Research a program that is equivalent to T.O.G.A.S. from another university.
   • Attach the article or source from where the information was obtained.

Binge Drinking Hazing.



The make-up assignment will be due October 26th by 5pm to the Student Life Office, ATTN: Greek Life or via email to greeklife@stmarytx.edu. Failure to complete the assignment will result in referral to the office of Judicial Affairs.