Some colleges move to ban hazing after deadly incidents

Students have often heard the adage “it’s part of our culture” with regard to hazing.

From high-risk drinking to days of sleep deprivation and embarrassing tasks, the stories are heard repeatedly.

Yet, the frequency of hazing-related injuries and deaths is further cause for many students and experts to feel the outdated tradition should no have no place in modern culture.

“I was asked maybe 20 or 30 times this summer if my fraternity hazed,” says Frederick Donnell, 20, who founded the Sigma Chi chapter at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla. “Younger kids expect it, some even want it and that needs to change.”

Sigma Chi’s national organization adopted a zero-tolerance policy on hazing in 2005 and Donnell says he has spoken with many group leaders on campus about the topic in hopes that future members see that “disrespecting and humiliating a person in any way is not acceptable.”

Recent studies shown how harmful the practice has become. A report by Bloomberg found at least 60 fraternity hazing-related deaths have occurred since 2005.

The practice is not limited to Greek life, but occurs campus-wide. A comprehensive study by the University of Maine found 55 percent of college students involved in clubs and organizations have experienced hazing.

Some schools have taken the initiative to change the culture while others have yet to take the lead, says Hank Nuwer, an associate professor of journalism at Franklin College who has written multiple books on hazing such as “Broken Pledges: The Deadly Rite of Hazing.”

“Most simply do the minimum and ask students to sign a policy promise not to haze,” he says.

Slowly, institutions are starting to go beyond that, some spurred by allegations of hazing on their campuses.

The University of Florida announced a change in its policies following numerous hazing allegations on campus. The school now limits the pledging time for new members and requires that alumni or chapter advisers be present for initiation rituals.

“Our latest efforts are to help UF become the national model for a hazingfree campus community,” says Jen Day Shaw, associate vice president and dean of students at UF.

York College in York, Pa. announced that student athletes in the wrestling program who were found guilty of hazing would face sanctions from probation to expulsion. The school also says it is looking to revamp its hazing education.

Attitudes and initiatives might be changing but the numbers remain worrisome, Nuwer says.

“What hasn’t changed are the deaths. They have occurred one or more times every year since 1970,” he says.

The figures show that who is responsible when hazing results in death often can be unclear and punishment can vary.