Pressing Issues: Hazing Culture

Greek life on college campuses dates back centuries. It is filled with bonds of brotherhood/sisterhood, ritual, and tradition. Unfortunately, on some campuses that tradition comes along with hazing practices. Despite the attempts from the National Panhellenic Council (NPC) and the Interfraternity Council (IFC), hazing still exists some on large campuses around the nation.

Almost a year ago, a Penn State student pledging Beta Theta Pi was found dead after falling down the stairs following a hazing ritual known as the “Gauntlet”. New video evidence surfaced on Nov. 13 showing the student being given 18 drinks in the matter of an hour and 22 minutes (ABC). The fraternity men attempted to cover up the incident by deleting the video, moving the student, and not calling for emergency assistance. Multiple brothers are being criminally charged.

As a Greek life member myself on a campus that has strong anti-hazing culture, I have seen first hand how student affairs professionals can make a difference in these situations. Not only is it the responsibility of the individual Greek organizations, IFC and NPC to combat hazing culture, but it is also the job of the campus student affairs professionals to support their efforts. Nation Greek organizations are not always able to oversee the actions of every chapter; many have between 150-200 chapters around the nation. For this reasons, student affairs professionals must be the educators, mentors, and overseers. Every campus with Greek life has a professional staff designated to oversee the Greek organizations. It is their job to intervene when hazing is occurring, but most importantly they must educate the chapters on the dangers of it. Some campuses have put in place programs that attempt to break the norms of hazing and create a new culture. Some campuses even have to take drastic steps to do this. Florida State University, who has faced similar issues with Greek organizations, currently has suspended all Greek life activities and is working with this community to create a change. 

Student affairs professionals cannot be blind to these issues. Although it does not happen everywhere and Greek life can do a lot of good in communities, hazing still lingers as a part of the campus culture at some universities.