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Sweeps week
Hazing is out there - we know that. The networks know that stories that create outrage sell during "sweeps week", the week where audience viewing is measured for purposes of figuring advertising rates.
A good juicy show about hazing will sell. The positive aspects of Greek life are not sexy - but hazing incites that feeling of outrage. That we have universally condemned the practice has no bearing on what sells. And we are all the poorer for it.
Hazing is illegal virtually everywhere - there are statutes that prohibit the practice. Colleges here in California will swoop in and put the kibosh on any chapter engaged in this activity. It's a constant worry and concern, but after 30 years I believe that we've got a reasonable, if unsteady hand, on the practice. We must exercise constant vigilence to prevent a problem.
It is interesting to note that the recent episode that got so much press was unsupervised high school activity, and it appears that the athletic incident mentioned above was also involving high school athletics. Perhaps the network needs to cast it's net wider and seek out those high schools where this takes place. I am confidant that they will find more there than they would on our campuses.
John Gezelius
Lambda Chi Alpha
California, '78
Tustin, CA
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