Hank Nuwer, Author; Hazing Deaths Database

University of Utah complaint follows in wake of tougher hazing legislation in Utah and the death of a young man from hazing at Utah State,

Here is the story link.

2010 has passed without a single fraternity or sorority or athletics fatality from alcohol on a U.S. campus (there have been deaths internationally, mostly from beatings or alleged suicides). This has been the first time since 1970 there has not been a death. The one international fraternity that has fought alcohol and hazing issues so hard had its legs cut out from them by the University of Arkansas chapter which had a pledge blow close to a .70 after a big and little brother party that mimicked the death of Chuck Saucier at Auburn University so many years ago, prompting antihazing action by Chad’s mother Rita, Phi Delta Theta International and Auburn University. Arkansas already had one death–a recruit killed during rush. I am relieved that the Arkansas case did not result in a death. But the brothers there certainly have embarrassed themselves and Greek life at Arkansas. Let us hope something positive comes out of this close call. Link

Here is the strong stand again hazing Phi Delta Theta has taken. This incident had to disappoint, to put it mildly.

A & E for discussion questions

Here is the link. Good stuff here. Thanks to all for hard work.

Go right to the study on web: other link

Note from researchers:

We are writing to share the exciting news that the The National Agenda for Hazing Prevention is being released today.  The Agenda is a product of collaboration emerging from the 2009 National Hazing Symposium co-sponsored with HazingPrevention.org and is intended to serve as a guiding framework and national call to action (to sustain current and ignite new hazing prevention efforts).

• Further catalyze dialogue and collaboration related to hazing prevention.
• Fuel more widespread public recognition of hazing as a health and safety risk to students.
• Emphasize the importance of grounding prevention efforts in research and evaluating prevention strategies for their effectiveness.

--
Elizabeth J. Allan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Higher Education
The University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
elizabeth.allan@umit.maine.edu
207-581-3166

Here is the link

Excerpt from the Daily Athenaaeum

The West Virginia University Police Department is investigating an alleged hazing incident between 10 and 15 Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity members that occurred early Monday morning, said Police Chief Bob Roberts.

Police officers entered the fraternity house, located at 672 North High St., between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. after hearing music and seeing an open door. There they found pledges blindfolded with food poured on them, Roberts said.

One person was allegedly slapping those blindfolded in the face. There was a warrant out for his arrest, and police detained him Monday afternoon. He has since been released on bail, Roberts said.

There were six to seven new members and approximately four active members, said Ron Justice, WVU’s director of Student Organizations Services. He said there is no indication alcohol was involved, and no one was injured.

WVU put the fraternity on moratorium, which bans it from any activities.

“We patrol the fraternities about the same way we do the residence halls,” Roberts said. “It kind of surprises me that this was going on there because they know we do.”

Hazing is, as defined by the West Virginia State Code, “to cause any action which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another person or persons or causes another person or persons to destroy or remove public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into any organization … operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education.”