hazing is not only a greek problem!
 

It disturbs me to see that hazing is always associated with the greeks. There is more hazing nowdays going on in high schools and athletics than in GLO's. What's worse, it is looked upon by the coaches and administration as a rite of passage if it's a part of a non-greek organisation, but a scavenger hunt by a sorority is life-threatening. Go figure.

I think that the reason that greeks are primarily associated with hazing is because typically students that cross the line from high school to college go a little crazy at first. Face it, a lot of kids don't make it in college because they can't handle the responsability. Back in the day, you could rush a greek org. as soon as you begin college, the first semester. I know that some colleges allow that. At my college freshman have to wait until their second semester before they can rush. Most times they don't because they don't want to go through formal rush. We only have formal rush the second semester of every year(i don't know if it is like that everywhere). So now colleges make the freshmen get their feet wet and settle in college mode before they get involved in greek life. As I said back in the day you could rush the first semester. I think that greeks a a bad rep becuase it was easy to blame greeks for students failing out of school. you rush, there are parties. . . it is ez to blame because they don't have just studing on their mind. I believe that is where it all stems from. parties=beer=hazing=bad grades=failing out. Parents of failing students don't want to believe that their student failed on their own so they blame the "evil greeks" Those mislead people don't realize that greeks encourage studying and that we have standards. Actually, the general population doesn't realize that greek orgs. have a purpose. That we work to improve life. Philanthropies are a great come back to people who say that greeks are a bunch of drunk kids. they don't realize that we strive to do things for others in our communities. It isn't right. I agree. I think that greeks are making a comeback and becoming well known for their endevors.

Mikki
Delta Zeta Alum
Kappa Mu Chapter
Sigma Alpha Iota Alum
Eta Tau Chapter


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"Why not upset the apple cart? If you don't the apples will rot anyway."

Frank A. Clark

I must agree that hazing is not entirely a Greek Issue. If one was to look at the hazing rituals of any athletic oragnization or that of the ROTC, one would see that hazing is as prevelant there as in Greek organization. If a fraternity was to publically haze a new member like an athletic or ROTC organization does, that fraternity would be immediately be thrown off campus. If a school has an anti-hazing policy then it should enforce it for every organization or it should not enforce it at all.

I have to agree that hazing is not just a Greek problem. Fortunately, we are one of the few segments that is actually trying to do something about it. I am the Greek adviser at a midwestern university. Recently I met with the university Vice-Pres Student Affairs (my boss), the Dean of Students, University Legal Counsel, Athletics Director, and several coaches. Our V.P. was concerned over a judgement in a case in Nebrasksa(I think) where a jury found a university partially at fault in a hazing lawsuit. We were called together to find out what was being done on our campus to prevent hazing and reduce university liability. I proceeded to rattle off a long list of all the things the Greek community had done in the last year(education programs, policies, etc.). Imagine my surprise when everyone in athletics said it wasn't a problem for them. Yes, it happened, but they didn't have a problem with it since it helped "bond the players as a team"! I was dumbfounded, but no one else seemed to take issue with athletics. Of course, if any Greek organization were to do the same stuff, they would be kicked off campus! Unfortunately I too often see the double standard between Greeks and athletes.

[This message has been edited by BSUPhiSig'92 (edited February 01, 2000).]

You guys are right it is not only a greek problem but the media makes it look that way.

I'm not saying that it is only a greek problem. I was just stating my opinion on how greeks got all the blame. People don't look at athletics as hazing organizations. All the stuff that we say about our greek orgs. are the same for athletics. They form great friendships that last a life time, they learn leadership skills, they have to maintain good grades, they learn to work together and how to be self-efficiant when working alone. They have networking. It's all the same, however, most athletes have played sports since they were very little. They grew up with it and learned to cope with it all their lives. They didn't have to adjust to anything when they got older because it was a way of life. Not many people walk onto a college team, I know that it happens, but not often. Also, growing up, they had their parents supporting them and helping them. Greeks get the wrap because they are thrown into school by themselves without their parents guidence and watchful eye. When they rush a sorority or fraternity parents generally aren't thrilled. the "old school" perception of greeks is that they party all the time. Parents don't want that. They supported sports because it was a way of life, they don't support greeks because they have been misinformed and don't want to listen to the truth. They believe that their child is turning into a lush, so. . . to get them out, all the hoopla about hazing began. Not just parents but other people started this too. anti-greeks. they want a reason to shut us down because of their small small brains that refuse to look at the truth about greek orgs. They only see partiers.(I know this isn't true for all parents, mine were unsupportive, but some sister of mine had very supportive parents) Despite what we believe or what we try to do, there will always be someone out there stiring up trouble. We will always get the wrap. We have to try to stop it the best we can, but to be realistic, there is no sense in pointing out all the other orginizations that are at fault. We are better than that. We have to take it like a "man" or "woman"(however you want to put it). Let the small people say what they want, but greeks are constantly proving themselves to be great people. Ignore the slander, don't fight back by pointing out other's faults, fight back by showing people what we stand for and what we really represent.

Mikki

Delta Zeta Alum
Kappa Mu Chapter
Sigma Alpha Iota
Eta Tau Chapter



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"Why not upset the apple cart? If you don't the apples will rot anyway."

Frank A. Clark