The Golden Rule

Dear Sisters,

When I was a young girl, my grandfather gave me a gift; a golden marblesized sphere with a phrase printed in blue. I don’t remember the occasion, but he belonged to a variety of civic organizations, so he likely procured it there. While it wasn’t a constant reminder in our household, my grandparents and parents would mention the phrase periodically.

The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

We all know it and can recite it by heart. The message is simple with enormous potential impact. Think of the outcome if this was law. Historically, and still today, ego, power, politics, entitlement and ideologies get in the way of simply treating all people the way you hope and expect to be treated yourself.

Watching the antics on college campuses as a collegian and a Traveling Graduate Consultant (now called Leadership Development Consultant) — and later in life as a mother, as my own children ventured onto campuses across the country — I have never been far from stories about supposedly funny pranks, “engaging” New Members, embarrassing situations forced onto others and instances of outright mistreatment.

It’s such a strange concept that as evolved beings, we continue to revert to this behavior and tolerate it. Instead of treating one another with kindness and respect, we choose to ensure others endure the hardships we’ve faced ourselves. Some call it a rite of passage; others feel entitled and empowered. In authentic relationships, we innately want to shield and protect those we love and nurture from pain and discomfort. Carrying this sentiment to ALL those in our sisterhood should be the natural response, not the contrary.

Pi Beta Phi — along with other sororities and membership groups — has a fellowship to offer that expands the human heart and mind. Yet hazing has long plagued the fraternity and sorority experience, to the point of threatening our existence. I adore our sisterhood and all that it has brought to my life. I want the same for future collegians and alumnae and stand firm that hazing, in any fashion or form, has no place in our sisterhood or in any organization. Those who feel the need to devalue what Pi Phi has to offer with activities not aligned with our mission, vision and values should ask themselves why they chose our sisterhood. We live by the Golden Rule and the golden arrow — for the betterment of all, starting with our sisters.

Let’s celebrate our sisterhood and the positive impact of fraternity and sorority life by eliminating hazing and other “rites of passage” and replacing them with activities of genuine camaraderie and friendship. Treat others the way you would hope to be treated — it’s a golden sentiment.

In Pi Phi,

Lisa Gamel Scott, Grand President