Hazing takes many forms and in some cases, I don't believe that it is possible to punish just those who are doing the crime. In some cases it is necessary to find the whole chapter guilty. When hazing takes place there is the "don't tell anyone we did this or else" factor. Or else what? Well, that can be quite frightening. In that case, the "pledges" will not come forward and state who the offenders are. I don't believe that a chapter should be allowed to stay on campus if there is a threat there. I don't care if it is only one person doing the hazing. Nobody should be put through a hazing experience and then told "don't tell or else." That is where the complication lies. The term "hazing" was defined to me as actions that were unwanted to the "Pledge." Or unsafe, physically or emotionally damaging. Now, the scavanger hunt issue can be both hazing and not hazing acording to the definition that was given. It really depends on the "pledge" class. (please forgive me for using the word "pledge" that was what it was called when i was in school and i realize that it is no longer in use, but i don't know what else to say). You might have a bunch of girls that will say "haze me! I want this to be a fun experience" Now according to my definition, that is not possible. But we can come up with fun things to do that we don't have to say "don't tell or else" We can ask what kind of things the girls want to do. Give the girls a list of traditions (without telling them they are traditions) and say, now check the ones that you want to do, cross out the ones that you don't. Then they will know what to expect, but keep the date of the deeds confidential. That way there is the mystery, but they aren't going to do things they don't want to do or didn't concent to do. Hazing is just such a touchy topic. But if we follow the definition, we are safe. Anything that does not make a "pledge" uncomfortable, emotionally or physically damaging, or is unsafe is acceptable. Hever, we then get in to ethics. What is ethical, and what is not? I believe that is the real question. We will never find the answer to that.
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"Unless it's mad, passionate, extraordinary love, than it's a waste of your time. There are too many mediocre things in life. Love shouldn't be one of them."
--From "Dream for an Insomniac"
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