HazingPrevention.Org Blog: News Results for Hazing & Views by Hank Nuwer: Tracking Hazing Deaths, Incidents, Trials in Greek Groups, Athletics, High Schools, Military, and on the Job

Hi Hank! Your website is facinating! Question, have you done any studies or ready anything about the conflict between social host immunity laws & hazing laws when involving alcohol? In CA in 2007 they instituted PC 245.6 re anti hazing as well as amending & updating the Education Code re hazing, but CA also has a social host immunity law (B&P 25602 that says a (private) person that provides alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person is guilty of a misdemeanor (i.e., a fine), BUT cannot be civilly liable for injuries to the drinker or a third party for injuries caused by the drinker’s alcohol consumption. This would seem to be in conflict with the hazing laws for purposes of being able to sue a a fraternity brother for being involved in hazing that involved alcohol. Thoughts? Tx. for your input. Nicki S.

Moderator: I am away from email with a few exception suntil Jan. 28 with my class. I have written about the dram shop laws in 1990 and 2001 books, but the writer certainly has an intriguing legal tangle here. Thoughts? Email me at hnuwer@hanknuwer.com and I’ll post on return.

Here is the link. Guilty plea does not
include registry on sex offender list.

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Inside Higher Education link here

Except from Jack Stripling’s article for Inside Higher Education

For the colleges that have eliminated fraternities and sororities, commonly cited concerns include the gender exclusivity of Greek organizations, as well as associated problems like hazing and alcohol abuse that contribute to declining academic performance.

Colby College disbanded its Greek system in 1984, and has no intention of restoring it, according to Jim Terhune, vice president of student affairs and dean of students there.

“I think there is some subset of alumni who was disaffected by the decision, and remains disaffected,” he said. “But there is absolutely no conversation whatsoever on campus or on the board about bringing them back. It’s a complete non-starter. It’s over.”

As a matter of stated policy, Colby forbids students from participating in or organizing Greek letter organizations on or off campus. Any student found violating the code faces a minimum one-year suspension or even expulsion. Terhune said he thinks there have been about three instances in the last couple of decades that led to suspensions.

“Simply put, single gender exclusive organizations are out of step with our values as an institution,” he said.

Franklin & Marshall students are now pushing for a co-ed fraternity on campus as well, hoping to give students more options.

Often citing the gender exclusivity of Greek letter groups, other colleges that have abolished them include Williams College, Amherst College, Middlebury College, Bowdoin College and Alfred University.

The pressures on colleges to re-institute fraternities and sororities can be substantial, according to Hank Nuwer, a professor of journalism at Franklin College and author of numerous books on hazing. Colleges have an interest in keeping alumni and donors happy, and removing groups that have such a following has potential financial consequences, he said.

“It takes a lot of endurance — once you’ve made that decision — to follow through on it,” he said.

But colleges that abolish Greek groups can face additional problems, including the emergence of underground fraternities and sororities, Nuwer said.

“Having sub rosa or unregulated fraternities, that I can tell you has been dangerous,” said Nuwer, author of Broken Pledges: The Deadly Rite of Hazing.

Civic Service Emphasized

For all of the complaints about Greek organizations, the groups often pride themselves on civic engagement. Franklin & Marshall’s chapter of Delta Sigma Phi, for instance, has turned its “Holly Jolly Christmas” philanthropy into a well known and respected community event. With one fraternity member dressed as Santa Claus, the brothers gather to distribute toys to homeless children, many of whom come from families with a history of abuse.

Other chapters have similar events, responding to a challenge from administrators to increase the service participation that had fallen by the wayside during the de-recognition years.

For all of its improvements, the system isn’t without its problems. Delta Sigma Phi, the same group whose Christmas philanthropy draws praise, was removed from its house because it didn’t meet the more rigorous building code standards set by the college. Another fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau, was also removed from its house in response to multiple city fire and health code violations. But Richard Gray, mayor of Lancaster, says complaints about the groups are similar to what one could expect any time 18- to 22-year-olds live near single family homes.

“There has been an occasional problem, but certainly not endemic,” he said.

“If you’re going to have [Greek organizations],” Gray added, “you’re better off recognizing them rather than ignoring them or neglecting them.”
— Jack Stripling

Rookies deserve respect from teammates
By Amy Donaldson
Deseret News

No one is going to say they’re in support of hazing.
It’s sort of like being in favor of driving under the influence. Everybody knows it’s bad — even the dolts who do it.
But hazing is the kind of activity that easily moves from harmless fun to dangerous and demeaning without anyone really meaning it to go down that road.
Which is why I was a little disappointed to see that Deron Williams was having such a good time showing off the Tinker Bell backpacks given to Jazz rookies Eric Maynor and Wes Mathews.
OK, I know it was a joke. (And yes, I do have a sense of humor, even though in this case, I really thought it was out of place as it came after an embarrassing loss.)
But I just thought of all those youthful fans of Williams who will not know the difference between what the Jazz veterans did to their less experienced teammates, and what the Utah State Office of Education has asked schools to eliminate from school-sponsored programs.
The backpacks probably don’t constitute hazing, according to the new rule adopted by the Utah State Office of Education. But that kind of thinking — that you need to initiate the new kids — is exactly what gets teenagers into trouble.
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Many “initiations” are done in fun and are meant to welcome newbies to a team or club. But most devolve into ways to embarrass or poke fun at the newest members of a group.
Over the years there have been high-profile incidents of hazing-gone-awry, and a handful of cases that ended with teenagers facing criminal charges. The vast majority of these incidents go unreported because the children being initiated want desperately to belong. They want to be accepted and they want to be a part of the group that is tormenting them.
The State Office of Education was wise to try and get a comprehensive policy out there that spells out specifically what bullying and hazing mean in legal terms. But a much more delicate matter is that of a teenager’s psyche.
The sad fact is that any time you try to “initiate” someone into a group, the potential for problems is huge. What seems innocent or silly to one 14-year-old boy is degrading and demeaning to another. That’s the danger is allowing any kind of taunting or teasing as teams are formed — whether they’re associated with schools or not.

I guess seeing the Tinker Bell backpacks just reminded me that hazing is really so ingrained in sports culture that it’s easy to defend. Rookies are asked to do more on most teams — carry water, pick up equipment, sit in a specific area on the bus, or bring treats for the older kids. They are often given the undesirable tasks because, well, they have to prove they’re willing to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. Or at least that’s what I’m told.
No one argues with it because anyone who grew up playing sports was asked to do it. It’s allegedly to teach the younger kids that they have to earn what the upperclassmen have.
Respect is earned, not automatic, right?
But what if it were automatic. What if youngsters were treated like anyone else on the team from day one? What if seniors carried equipment and helped younger players learn the ropes without taunting or teasing?
Would there be a revolt? Would the younger players suddenly take over? Would they be ungrateful? Disrespectful? Lazy?
My experience is that if you treat someone with respect, they usually reciprocate. When you offer to help someone, they offer to help you. When you tell someone they’re valued and important and that you’re glad to have them around, well, they act like they’re glad to be there.
Instead of worried, fearful, or resentful because of the taunting, teasing and tormenting, rookies would be comfortable, grateful and trusting.
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Making someone feel ridiculous doesn’t build them up or inspire them to work harder for the sake of the team. In fact, sometimes it causes kids just to quit. They’d rather spend their time with people who treat them with respect just because they’re willing to show up to tryouts.
If sports really are about learning life lessons, then it seems learning to treat people — regardless of their age or experience — with respect and compassion should be right there at the top of the to-do list.

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Excerpt from story follows

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity has been suspended from all school activities since an investigation into an Oct. 17 hazing incident got under way. University officials on Friday would not release details of the incident, but did confirm the investigation.

The university does not tolerate hazing, and the chapter of the national fraternity, known as SigEp, faces severe consequences if its members are found to be at fault, said Charles Brown, FAU vice president for student affairs.

“I don’t tolerate it,” Brown said. “I will close the chapter down.”

FAU is working with SigEp’s national organization to get the investigation completed quickly, Brown said.

SigEp began at FAU in 1994 and is one of 13 fraternities on campus. The local chapter has had a good standing at the university, Brown said, and is part of a push to get more students involved in the Greek life of fraternities and sororities.

“They teach leadership, civic engagement and philanthropy,” Brown said.

But without “civility,” it’s not the kind of example the university wants, he said.

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Scroll down to see the front page of this paper.

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(Media-Newswire.com) – WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue officials on Thursday ( Dec. 10 ) announced that one campus fraternity has been suspended and two others placed on probation for violating university regulations and Interfraternity Council Risk Management policies.
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity is suspended through Aug. 1, 2010, for hazing and alcohol violations, while Sigma Alpha Epsilon is on probation through the end of new-member education in fall 2010, also for hazing activities, said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students. Kappa Sigma is on probation through Jan. 31 for alcohol consumption violations.

The penalties for Phi Delta Theta were more severe because violations involved multiple instances of both hazing and alcohol consumption, he said.

“Each situation involves behavior that can be addressed immediately,” Malavenda said. “Each organization has shown true remorse and has the leadership and support to get beyond this and to emerge a stronger, more values-based organization. The dean of students office is committed to being there for them every step of the way.”

University investigations concluded that Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon conducted hazing activities that included verbal and minor physical abuse of new members. Purdue regulations define hazing as any action that interferes with scholastic activities, creates a substantial risk of physical harm or degrades any person.

The university investigation also concluded that alcohol was provided to new members, members and guests at two unregistered parties in October and to new members at a “Pledge Mom/Pledge Pop Night” in November at Phi Delta Theta.

Phi Delta Theta can petition the Office of the Dean of Students for reinstatement at end of the imposed suspension. If the suspension is lifted, the chapter will remain on probation through May 1, 2011, at which time it can petition for a return to full status.

During the suspension, Phi Delta Theta cannot participate in programs with other recognized student organizations, university sponsored activities or intramural athletics as an organization. The chapter also cannot use university logos, trademarks and name; receive university funding; and will not be eligible for awards through Purdue, regional and national associations or the fraternity’s national headquarters.

A new-member education program review and revision for the Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternities will be conducted immediately by the Office of the Dean of Students, the international fraternities and alumni advisory boards. In order for the two fraternities to maintain university recognition, they must abide by terms that include: completing at least two community service or philanthropy projects each semester at a location approved by the Office of the Dean of Students; have 90 percent attendance by active members to any hazing, new membership or alcohol education sponsored by the Purdue Interfraternity Council and Office of the Dean of Students; and 90 percent of Phi Delta Theta’s chapter members must attend a screening for the documentary “HAZE.”

The university’s investigation of Kappa Sigma concluded that alcohol was left by an alumnus visiting the chapter and consumed by new members, and a new member provided alcohol to an underage guest.

Kappa Sigma must: work with international headquarters to establish a plan for the continuous improvement of the social practices and attend a screening of the documentary “HAZE.” No functions with alcohol will be permitted at the chapter facility until after the probation is lifted.

According to university regulations, only sanctions of “suspension” or “withdrawal of recognition” of a student organization can be appealed to the Campus Appeals board. Malavenda said the suspended fraternity has until 5 p.m. Friday ( Jan. 11 ) to appeal the sanction.

Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu

Source: Pablo Malavenda, 765-494-1232, pablo@purdue.edu

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Moderator: These parents ought to be named.

Teen gets probation for hazing: Canada

By Jason Warick, Saskatchewan News NetworkDecember 16, 2009

A 16-year-old Turtleford-area boy has been sentenced to 12 months of probation for photographing and participating in a lengthy hazing of another boy who passed out at a party in the spring

A 16-year-old Turtleford-area boy has been sentenced to 12 months of probation for photographing and participating in a lengthy hazing of another boy who passed out at a party in the spring
Photograph by: Greg Pender, The StarPhoenix file photo

A 16-year-old Turtleford-area boy has been sentenced to 12 months of probation for photographing and participating in a lengthy hazing of another boy who passed out at a party in the spring.

The youth had originally been charged with sexual assault, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of common assault. Sexual assault charges laid against five other males are still before the courts and will likely be set for trial in the new year, said Crown prosecutor Suzanne Reid.

The victim had profanities drawn with marker on his body and face, had testicles dragged across his face and endured an attempt to shove a beer bottle in his anus, says an agreed statement of facts read Tuesday in St. Walburg court.

The 16-year-old, who chronicled the ordeal, cannot be identified because of his age. He had a set of conditions placed on him, such as an order to abstain from alcohol and to perform 50 hours of community service. There was no order to stay away from the victim, who was 15 years old at the time of the incident, Reid said.

On Friday, March 13, in a village northwest of the Battlefords, a boy held a party in his basement. His parents were present upstairs during the party, attended by about 25 people.

The offender got to the party at about 11 p.m. and left shortly after noon the next day. Most of the people at the party, including the offender and the victim, were drinking alcohol, despite many of them being younger than the legal age to do so, according to the statement of facts.

The victim, who also cannot be identified, arrived at the party after midnight. The victim was drinking beer and became intoxicated, passing out in the basement bedroom, the statement says.

After the victim passed out, he “was drawn on with a marker, had shaving cream put on various parts of his body, including on his anus, and persons other than (the offender) made attempts to shove a beer bottle up his anus. (The victim) was also ‘t-bagged’ while he was unconscious, which involved testicles being dragged across his face,” the statement says.

The offender took pictures and video with his cellular phone. The offender “also personally put shaving cream on (the victim) and wrote on him while he was unconscious,” according to the statement.

Two of the males charged have sexual assault trials set for mid-April. Three others had their cases adjourned until Jan. 19. At that time, it’s expected a trial date will be set, Reid said.