A Reset on Fraternity New Member Workouts
by Dr. Lori Hart
In my work, I am regularly in front of fraternity officers. When I ask about their hopes, dreams, and aspirations, I consistently get two answers from fraternity leaders:
More members
Member engagement
I am also regularly in front of fraternity new members. When I ask them about their hopes, dreams, and aspirations as it relates to fraternity membership, I consistently get two different answers:
Brotherhood
Having fun
I am convinced that if a chapter truly offered brotherhood and more fun, the natural outcome would be exactly what officers say they want: more members and stronger member engagement.
With That Said, Let's Talk about New Member Workouts
I've been deeply engaged in conversations this week with a group of fraternity leaders about workouts that are required, encouraged, or simply "suggested" for new members.
Everyone has a feeling about it. Some parents love the idea because it looks like discipline. One mother told me it was part of “national policy." Some universities call it hazing based on their definitions. Most new members probably dislike it but won't say anything. Members often support it because they had to do it.
When you really dig in with fraternity leaders about workouts, the conversation quickly circles around athletics, ROTC, discipline, and personal growth. Today, I'm adding the college marching band to the dialogue.
Because here's the truth:
Five Reasons Why a Fraternity Is Not Athletics, ROTC, or the Marching Band
Mission
Medical Clearance
Adult Supervision
Safety Protocols
Informed Consent and Transparency
1. The Mission
Simon Sinek reminds us to "start with the why." Not all student organizations share the same mission, and because of that, not all student organizations require physical conditioning or medical clearance. The purpose of the organization drives the practice of the organization.
College Athletes: Built for Competition
Intercollegiate athletics exists to train and field competitive teams that represent the institution. Their mission is rooted in physical performance, endurance, and skill development. Physical training isn't optional. It's the job.
ROTC: Preparing Future Officers
ROTC programs prepare and commission officers for the United States Armed Forces. Physical readiness, discipline, and tactical capability are central to their mission. Workouts, fitness assessments, and medical screenings are foundational to military preparation and national service.
Marching Band: Performance and Precision
Marching bands are performing arts organizations that contribute to campus culture, spirit, and tradition. Their work requires stamina, coordination, and physical movement. Conditioning makes sense because the mission includes physically demanding performance.
Social Fraternities: Belonging, Leadership, and Personal Development
Fraternities, however, are membership organizations built on values, belonging, leadership, service, and personal growth. Their mission is not athletic competition, military readiness, or performance art.
Fraternities exist to create community.
2. Medical Clearance Is Required for Athletics, ROTC, and Marching Band
Athletics, ROTC, and marching band all involve strenuous physical exertion. Before a student participates, they are medically cleared.
NCAA athletes complete a Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (PPE).
ROTC cadets must meet Department of Defense medical qualification standards through the DoDMERB process before contracting.
Marching band members often complete a PPE because rehearsals involve miles of marching, heat exposure, and heavy equipment.
These evaluations can identify:
Asthma
Cardiac risk
Heat sensitivity
Previous injuries
Sickle cell trait
Medication needs
Other health conditions
Fraternities have none of these systems in place. In all my years doing this work, I have never seen a fraternity collect a medical form. When chapters impose workouts that mimic athletic conditioning, it can be dangerous and, in some cases, has led to the death of new members.
3. Athletics, ROTC, and Marching Band Have Trained Adults Present
Every physically demanding campus activity includes trained adults.
Athletics: Certified coaches and athletic trainers
ROTC: Commissioned officers and trained cadre
Marching Band: Directors and staff trained in heat illness prevention and emergency response
These adults:
Monitor environmental conditions
Enforce hydration and rest cycles
Recognize medical distress
Activate emergency action plans
Honor medical restrictions
Respond to injuries
And the adults are substance-free from alcohol and drugs while supervising these activities.
Fraternities do not have this infrastructure.
4. Campus Physical Activities Follow Safety Protocols
Athletics, ROTC, and marching band operate within established safety frameworks:
Heat illness prevention
Weather monitoring
AED access
CPR-trained staff
Injury reporting
Progressive conditioning plans
Medical restriction enforcement
This is not a small gap.
It is a structural difference that creates safety.
5. Informed Consent and Transparency
Anthropologist Dr. Aldo Cimino, a leading researcher on hazing and group initiation practices, has argued that if organizations choose to include challenging or physically demanding experiences, participants should be provided with clear information about expectations, risks, and alternatives so they can make informed decisions about participation. He emphasizes that meaningful consent requires transparency and an understanding of what participation entails before individuals commit to the experience. [aldocimino.com], [aldocimino.com]
In athletics, ROTC, and the marching band, participants are informed about participation expectations, physical demands, eligibility requirements, and available support systems before engaging. You know what you are getting before you join.
This isn't happening during fraternity recruitment. New members are not told about their workout regimen. You join, then you are told. No transparency in the process and no informed consent.
The Good News
When we get to the "why" behind fraternity workouts, the answers are good:
Bonding
Tradition
Discipline
Team building
So, if these reasons resonate, how can you create experiences where members bond, honor tradition, create member engagement, and strengthen the team?
Mandate vs. Menu
Is your organization willing to increase transparency and education for new members, members, parents, and university partners on what is a mandate versus what is on the menu?
Mandate
What is required for membership?
Examples:
New member meetings
Service hours
Paying dues
Academic expectations
Other clearly communicated membership requirements
Menu
An opportunity available to members at every level of the brotherhood but not required.
Examples:
Brotherhood events
Wellness activities
Social events
Monday Night Football at the house
Community service opportunities
Recreational activities
When members, parents, university partners, and prospective new members understand the difference between a mandate and a menu of opportunities, trust increases and students are better positioned to make informed decisions about their involvement.
Organizations will benefit from working through these questions:
Could you envision a chapter that offers members a menu of wellness, brotherhood, and outreach events that create spaces for people to connect?
Could you make the menu optional?
Could you schedule events at reasonable times that vary?
Could you plan substance-free weekly events?
Could you poll members for ideas?
Could you research campus Intramurals options for all members?
Could you empower members who are fun, respected, and natural connectors to help lead these experiences?
Could you tap into members who have been summer camp counselors and know how to build community?
A Different Approach to Brotherhood
Once I spent time engaging fraternity leaders on this topic, I was impressed with their willingness to shift their mindset. Their brotherhood menu this semester, and that's the key difference, a brotherhood menu, not a new member mandate, now includes:
Yoga session partnered with a sorority
Chapter fun run
Pickup basketball at the house
Pickleball matches
Weekend hikes
Weekend tee times
Campus Intramurals
Weekly dinners
Bowling
Fraternity Formal
Bible study
It's a simple shift. All optional for members and new members. All focused on community-building. All aligned with the mission. A menu focused on member engagement. Just show up, have some fun, make friends, and experience brotherhood. It doesn't have to be difficult.
If you try this approach, you might be amazed at who shows up. And you might be amazed at brotherhood in action, member engagement, and the joy of simply being together.
Some Final Thoughts
Read the Stop Campus Hazing Act (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/PLAW-118publ173?utm_source=copilot.com). Read state hazing law(s). Read your campus hazing policy. All this information will help any organization understand a mandate versus a menu for new members.
Be transparent with your national/international organization, advisors, and your university.
Ask questions. There are so many people – including myself – who want to help you.
And most importantly, don’t create a fake system for 6 a.m. runs in duck boots where only new members show up.
Do better. Be better.
Reference
Cimino, A. (2020). Embrace & Reform: Ending Hazing's Prohibition Era. Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors Perspectives. Cimino discusses the importance of transparency and informed consent in the context of initiation practices. [aldocimino.com], [aldocimino.com]
About Dr. Lori Hart
For over thirty years, she has been the 'go-to guru' for taking the messiest, most complex problems on college campuses and turning them into systems that make sense.
She’s a researcher, a champion for student health, and a parent who understands exactly what’s at stake. She believes that we don't need more rules, we need better relationships.
Looking to reverse the mandate and revisit the menu?