Quote:
Originally posted by SoCalGirl
Does not sound hazing to me based on that description alone. Sounds like a food fight broke out at an exchange/social/mixer.
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Maybe, maybe not. I suppose one question would be whether the activities fell under the Washington State legal definition of hazing:
RCW 28B.10.900
"Hazing" defined.
As used in RCW 28B.10.901 and 28B.10.902, "hazing" includes any method of initiation into a student organization or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending a public or private institution of higher education or other postsecondary educational institution in this state. "Hazing" does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions.
Another question would be whether the activities met the sorority's policy definition of hazing, or the policy definition used by the university or the universitys's Panhellenic Council.
University definitions are at
http://depts.washington.edu/ovpsa/greek/hazing.html
Determining the answers to questions like those I mentioned can sometimes be difficult. For instance, the reported allegation of being "forced" to wear revealing clothing -- could that cause or be likely to cause serious mental or emotional harm? Maybe, for some. Could food-fight kinds of activities cause or be likely to cause bodily danger or physical harm? Maybe -- possible slipping, falling, getting stuff in eyes, etc.
It'll be interesting to see what decisions are made.