Here's a report from The Associated Press: "Four fraternity members pleaded guilty in the death of a college student who was forced to drink large amounts of water during an initiation rite."
The dateline of this article is Oroville, Calif., where the Chi Tau fraternity once resided on the sunny campus of California State University in Chico, Calif. The four students face extensive prison time and probation. Fraternities and sororities have been banned at Chico.
It is impossible to believe that anyone would sanction hazing that yields death. Why would people intentionally make others physically sick or suffer pain?
The Wisconsin Hazing Law (948.51) states, "No person may intentionally or recklessly engage in acts which endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating in connection with a school, college or university. Under those circumstances, prohibited acts may include any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, forced confinement or any other forced activity which endangers the physical health or safety of the student."
The section continues by outlining the consequences of violating the law, "[It is] A Class A misdemeanor if the act results in or is likely to result in bodily harm to another. [It is] A Class E felony if the act results in great bodily harm or death to another."
In addition, the University of Wisconsin Greek website posts information on hazing policies. In a letter written by Fraternity and Sorority Program Advisor Barb Katz, parents of incoming UW students are informed about hazing in the Greek community.
The letter states, "Hazing practices are a criminal violation of Wisconsin state law, and strictly prohibited by campus and organizational policies as well. New members joining an organization will participate in a number of different activities designed to build teamwork, learn more about themselves and others in the group, as well as learn the traditions and history of the organization. These activities are intended to be beneficial to the student as well as the organization. Instances which can be construed as hazing are not tolerated within this community. It is our goal to provide the best possible experiences for fraternity and sorority members on campus."
Hazing, although commonly associated with alcohol-driven events, is also defined by some campus chapters as instances where students are forced to wear certain clothing, carry certain objects, or generally do anything that makes them stand out as "pledges" against the rest of the chapter.
So, some questions: Why is it that I see girls in overdone blue eye shadow and bright pink lipstick on campus? Why are there girls carrying their books to class in shopping bags? What is it with the socks and heels and tapered sweatpants? Why have I seen groups of girls walking down Langdon Street wearing all white?
Why have I heard that a freshman girl showed up in class carrying a live goldfish? Why are certain groups of girls and boys avoiding walking on State Street like the plague? How about intricate scavenger hunts set up by the older members of the chapter? Are XXL T-shirts a new fad? Why have I overheard hysterical girls on their cell phones wondering how they will able to study for their exam tomorrow when they have to stay up all night at the sorority? Why are there boys in shirts and ties on certain days of the week? Why do certain boys reek of onions after a night at their fraternity?
It doesn't sound like any of this is life threatening, but it leads to another question: how many steps away are we?
Emily Friedman ([email protected]) is a junior majoring in journalism and legal studies. She is a member of the Alpha Phi sorority.
