The 1984 Red Shirt Pledge Project

Ouachita pledging underwent a drastic transformation in Spring 1984 as Bill 242, an anti-hazing law passed by the Arkansas legislature, went into effect. The bill was instigated by Blaine Smith of Arkadelphia, a failed Beta pledge and avowed enemy of Rho Sigma. Smith had quit Beta Beta pledging because he felt abused. He used family connections to lobby for the anti-hazing bill, which was aimed directly at Ouachita social club initiations. He harbored grudges against both Rho Sigma and Beta Beta -- and social clubs in general. Spring 1984 pledging focused on service work instead of the traditional Hell Week. Rho Sigma members and pledges put together an incredible service project to benefit Clark County Nursing Home. The pledges painted and plastered while the members raised money. The combined efforts, along with matching funds from a government grant, brought $162,000 worth of renovations to the facility! Rho Sigma was praised by the administration for "changing Ouachita pledging forever," receiving national media attention in the process.