I can dig it. Many universities don't.

I think it's stupid too, but my chapter is completely non-hazing.

And...I would compare it more to zero tolerance policies at schools. Like...if you're going to get arrested for bringing a plastic knife to school to cut your sandwich, you might as well go ahead and bring the real one, right? Same punishment, even though the crime is different.

And the flip side of that would be that hazing is on the rise because more things are considered hazing.

Exactly. If a sorority says scavenger hunts and interviews are hazing and a chapter gets closed because of that, oftentimes all that gets to the media is "Mu Mu Mu was closed because of hazing." Joe the Plumber (lol) doesn't think immediately of a scavenger hunt, he thinks of girls beating the crap out of each other and forcing each other to drink. The confidentiality with which chapter closings are handled only perpetuates the problem. Not that I think they should put everything out there, but they have to realize if they close a chapter because of something like that "Mu Mu Mu" and "hazing" are going to come up on Google hits everywhere.

In my experience in working with chapters for almost 20 years now, hazing (serious stuff, not the borderline things that didn't used to be hazing) does trend up and down. I think hazing in high schools has increased over the last several years and so that trend is following to college. I will definitely say though, that I think it's becoming more and more prevalent in the sports teams/bands or other organizations and not necessarily in the Greek system.

Yes, indeed.

Yes, indeed.

Well I was hazed, but at least I wasn't beat into my orginization like my dad was many years ago.

Hazing never left.

I think one of the reasons that there seems to be an upswing in hazing is because of the internet.

Now, hear me out: Before the internet, most of our news sources were national/local tv news, radio, and newspapers. With the internet, we now have more access to news sources.

In the past, a hazing incident would be reported in local news. It would only make a national news source if it were particularly horrific. If a hazing incident happened in Florida, I might only hear about it if it were my organization.

Now, with the internet, cnn.com might report it. I might be browsing Alpha Beta's website and see where they pulled a charter due to hazing. There are websites dedicated to anti-hazing where I can read the incident. And, of course, it will be reported on GC. :D

So, while I think hazing trends may naturally go up and down, I think it is our increased access to the information that makes it seem it is on the upswing.

I agree^^^^. All one has to do see this is pick any search engine and place the term "hazing" into the news section. Right now there are at least 3 reports of hazing going around.

oxymoron for 1000 alex?

what is "paper" pledging? You pledge "paper"? (Meaning money, i.e, you just promise to pay dues and you're in?)

I decided to read the Wisconsin state laws definition of hazing, and now I can honestly say my fraternity does not haze.

How are they forbidden in your frat? Hazing is mental and physical abuse to be initiated into an org, and a pledge is your solemn oath to be loyal to that org. So you didnt pledge to be loyal to your frat?