Let's Pretend

[RockChalk]

I'd do what shadokat suggested and talk to somebody in the organization first. If you're going to go around accusing people of crimes, you'd better be able to back up your claims.

[Kevin]

First I'd look at what "Emotional abuse" means... If it's lineups and screaming and other types of abuse/torture that's one thing... But making them study for a pledge test and know the organization's history is another thing entirely.

Of course what DeltAlum and everyone else has said earlier in this thread is also very valid.

[James]

Once we saw a Fraternity Pledge streaking across the quad naked. We naturally thought it was hazing. Someone later found out from the kids best friend that he just did it on a drunken dare with his buds.

Imagine the trouble they would have gotten into if we had reported them? Who would have believed the dare story?

I've kind of noticed that sororities tend to be a wee bit down on each other especially if one has a reputation for something.

And there is a tendency to jump to conclusions . . . sometimes I am amazed after talking to some sorority girls over a few beers about the stuff they believe about other organizations . . or have "witnessed" . . . or someone else has "witnessed".

Usually girls from each organization says almost the same thing about all the other organizations . . . lol. IT depends on who you talk to. I talk to all of them.

We don't know what you saw, or think you saw, so unless you share that with us its kind of hard for us to give you real advice, because we are picturing different things in our minds. I see that basketball and video scene mentioned in another thread. Quite vivid actually.

Also, you are not really in a position to know if they are hazing because you don't see the pattern of all their activities or even know exactly what you saw may have been related to. Even yelling could just mean some sisters having a bad day.

So the question is, do you want to get a group in trouble and investigated on very limited information?

Originally posted by AlphaSigLana
That you are in XYZ and you see what looks to be emotional abuse to pledges occurring in ABC sorority-- do you A)report this to panhellenic and risk being a tattletale or B) or do nothing?
I know a lot of us know that certain houses on our campuses haze, but do we really do anything about it? Or just talk about it amongst ourselves saying it's wrong, but do nothing to stop it?

[LXAAlum]

Wow...this thread is "been there, done that" for me...I had to make a choice on reporting a GLO at a campus I advised at - thankfully the alumni had a collective "IFC" of sorts, so it was handled there to begin with. The sad thing was, of what I saw and reported, was the tip of an iceberg, which ultimately (and rightfully) resulted in the closing of the chapter.

[nutmeg]

I come from a medium school with a pretty big greek system (considering the school size). And i know that rumors spread like brush fire here. If any hazing among ANY house IFC or NPC was going on officals would know even if one person didn't tell them. And even if a person tells, its anonymous. So my advice is if you are going to tell on a GLO...don't tell anyone you told or you know anything about it. Keep your mouth shut and anyways I am pretty sure that someone in the organization will say something if hazing is going on. The only hazing people really report is the hazing that hurts at any level.

And not to be mean or anything...but I think before any person goes snooping around in other organizations business they need to take a look at theirs, because thats what directly effects them. I understand that people don't want one GLO giving the rest of the GLO a bad rep. But instead of watching each other like hawks...why not try to make your GLO better by becoming more involved in the community...be known for helping. I also hope that every GLO is already doing that....because we are more then social.

Sorry I am bit moody tonight...lack of sleep+rush+classes+parents=moodiness