Memphis denies hazing
 

Pix @ http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=4386832

University investigates alleged hazing incident
Jan 19, 2006,

Three University of Memphis student athletes painted up and dressed in revealing clothes. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but the question behind this one is, whether one of those words is "hazing."

When the Daily Helmsman hit the stands Thursday morning, the picture was plastered on the front page. Three freshman cross-country athletes dressed in revealing clothing, and painted up with the terms "frosh" and "fresh-meat."

The independent student newspaper claims the picture shows an apparent hazing incident. The University says, that's just not the case.

According to the University of Memphis Code of Student Conduct, hazing is defined in part as an act that, "induces or coerces a student to endanger his or her mental or physical health or safety, and includes treatment of a shameful, insulting or humiliating nature."

Associate Athletic Director Bob Winn says the school takes steps to insure its athletes know that definition and don't step over the lines. However, Winn says the University is continuing to look into the matter.

While the athletic department is continuing to investigate the hazing allegations, the girls could be in violation of the student code of ethics as it pertains to underage drinking.

All three girls are under the age of 21.

http://community.webshots.com/album/449115612tQnZuM

This Webshots page has a whole series of pictures of the XC girls being hazed, including
one with QB Will Hudgens signing a girl.

If this was a fraternity, they would be history.

If the coach/AD don't believe it's hazing, they have their heads where the sun don't
shine.

If they expect the victim of hazing to squeal on their elder team mates, they'll
never see hazing.

The webshots pictures shows that several fraternities and the soccer team participated. However, it looks like the girls showed up at the house requesting the signatures as opposed to the fraternities arranging anything.

I think that if nothing happens to the Cross Country team then nothing should happen to the men in the photos. That being said, I think that the university should handle this no differently than if it was sorority women. A sorority would be punished as a chapter, in addition to the inidividuals. So the entire team should be penalized for this lapse of judgement.

If the team, nor the women, are held accountable for their actions I think that the school is wide open for hazing. It'll set a precedent that teams can get away with it. The captions for the pictures "All dressed up for humiliation" and "Beer chugging contest with the Pi Kappa Fraternity" fully support the school's hazing definition "induces or coerces a student to endanger his or her mental or physical health or safety, and includes treatment of a shameful, insulting or humiliating nature."

My question is would the fraternities that were involved get in trouble too for being accomplices (for lack of a better word)?

First of all, let me say that this is a good opportunity for all of us (and others) to see that hazing is a plague that affects not only fraternities/sororities, but many student groups.

Second, and perhaps most importantly, when is someone going to stand up and say enough is enough?

Do these three women appear to be emotionally or physically abused or threatened in any of these photographs?

TRUE hazing is an illegal and dangerous activity that must be dilligently addressed. At the same time, HAVING FUN is something that more of us need to engage in. Let's not criminalize or condemn the latter.

Too late.

I think almost anyone on this site would agree with your sentiment. Unfortunately GLOs are held to a much stricter standard when it comes to hazing. This stricter standard is enforced not only by the national leadership of each GLO but by the local university officials as well. I just want all student groups to be held accountable for the same behavior. Based on the photos, I do believe the girls were enjoying themselves, however, I was always taught that being a willing participant does not change the fact that it's hazing.

While I would love to live in a world where everyone can agree where having fun ends and hazing begins, it's just too subjective for there to be a consenous. GLOs have to protect themselves from lawsuits and increasing insurance costs. The way to do that is to have a zero tolerance policy. Yes, it takes away a lot of good times but it also keeps the organizations in existance.

That may be bacause we generally are the groups killing more people.

Whether we like or agree with the anti-hazing laws and regulations passed by state legislatures or imposed by university administrations, we have to abide by them if we want to survive.

If this is "fun", why are only the freshmen and rookies having "fun"??

If they deny it, then believe them. Who cares if they're being hazed.

Unfortunately, a lot of chapters feel the same way, and sooner or later some of them lose their charters.

Hazing is illegal and it's dangerous.

Doing a scavenger hunt, and things of that nature, are not illegal or dangerous. Nor is having your pledges dress in coat and tie for class one day a week. They are however, enough to get you in trouble at many schools. Once the Universities get their way, fraternities will simply be groupings of the student body with no connection at all.

You would want your daughters paraded to the fraternity houses wearing little outfits, having the words "Fresh meat" written on them, and would be OK with someone's form of entertainment as the girls just had to do whatever (good, bad, who knows?) to get items on a scavenger hunt list?

I didn't realize Southern gentlemen pimped out their daughters.

-Rudey

Rudey, are you serious? Please show where I condone "pimping out" anyone. I'm referring to the fact that most schools will not allow even non offensive scavenger hunts to take place, as apparently having pledges work together for a common goal belittles them as people. God forbid one would wanna test the drive and dedication of a potential member before allowing them into your organization. Sorry if using the word "God" offended anyone on here...oh wait, I'm not.

Is this a non-offensive scavenger hunt?

-Rudey