UGa requires "no hazing" certificate from non-GLOs too

[hoosier]

Hazing form now required

By DANEE ATTEBURY
Published , September 09, 2005, 06:00:01 AM EDT


Once a requirement only for fraternities and sororities, signing a hazing compliance form is now mandatory for all members of every registered student organization.

“Hazing is not just a Greek issue,” said Willie Banks, director of Student Activities.

The Student Affairs Risk Management Task Force decided to implement the policy change beginning this school year in order to educate students about hazing, Banks said.

The form defines hazing as an intentional negligent action causing another person pain or embarrassment, lists examples of hazing and ends with a statement of understanding requiring the member’s signature.

Banks said hazing has occurred in non-Greek organizations around the country, but he was unaware of any such incidents at the University.

However, Banks said the University has over 530 student organizations, and hazing could be going unreported in non-Greek organizations.

Hazing is not only against University policy, but also against the law, said Jim Bove, assistant dean of students for judicial programs.

Two members of the Student Government Association were part of a symposium that recommended the policy change, though SGA president Will Childs said he was not aware of a hazing problem in non-Greek organizations.

Childs said he supports the policy change if it promotes a broad-based effort to eradicate hazing on this campus.

“On the surface of it, it makes completely no sense whatsoever,” said Childs, a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, which has no rush. “(But) we felt that it was unfair to single out Greek organizations as culprits of a less-than-ideal learning environment on campus.”

Claudia Shamp, the associate dean for Greek Life, said she believes a hazing compliance form is necessary for any group that inducts new members who do not have full membership status right away.

“You always run the risk when you get a potential power situation,” she said.

All members of Greek organizations have had to sign the hazing compliance form since 1998, she said.

She added that Greek organizations’ presidents, advisors and new member educators have had to sign a hazing compliance form since at least 1987, when she started working at the University.

The deadline for turning in the forms is today, Banks said.