[DeltAlum]

Some thoughts.

What is striking about this story to me is how easily an allegedly "traditional" hazing ritual can so suddenly go terribly wrong. That's why I feel that there should be NO hazing. At all.

This school, apparantely is one of real excellence, (By the way, who rates a school #3 or whatever, by the way, and what are the criteria. I suspect that a lot of schools think they're in the "top ten," whatever that means. The biggest school in our district had 43 National Merit Scholars last year and has over 90 state athletic championships -- does that put it in the "top ten" Sorry, I digress.). But now, GBN will be remembered for this event. Remember Columbine? Much the same kind of school -- but what is the first thing you think of now? Not the same, you say? Absolutely true, but what if one or more of the girls had been more seriously injured, or even killed? Oh, and by the way again, the alleged "reason" for Columbine was the bullying and hazing of the two gunmen throughout their high school careers. They weren't in the "cool" group.

Think that potentially deadly senario couldn't have happened with all of the people around? Then why didn't people -- as a group -- step in? Maybe one person would have gotten beaten up if he/she tried to intercede -- but not if the group decided enough is enough. So, why didn't they? Ever read Lord of the Flies?

I agree with LXA Alum. This is highly disturbing. Not knowing anything about Illinois law, I don't know if the school can be held accountable -- but it should. The shirts being worn are a damning issue. Colleges have been taken to court for alcohol and hazing issues that occurred off campus. Again, refering to Columbine, the school, faculty and principal were highly faulted for not recognizing and stopping the events that led up to the tragedy there. Ever hear of In Loco Parentis? We, as a society, expect our schools to look out for the welfare of the students we send them. The administration should have been more proactive over the past several years. Most of what has been described as happening over that time could reasonably be considered assault.

I find it difficult to find any reasonable explaination for this.