high school hazing

[hoosier]

North East wants to stop hazing

By Bridget Gutierrez
San Antonio Express-News

Web Posted : 08/24/2002 12:00 AM

One month after eight JROTC high school students were struck repeatedly with a broom handle during a training session, North East School District officials are requiring all students who participate in extracurricular activities this year to pass a "hazing test."

"It was apparent to us that our students probably do not have the best knowledge of what hazing is," said Mark Scheffler, North East's associate superintendent for campus support. "We're not trying to make them attorneys on hazing, but we want them to have a good understanding of it."

Under the new rule, middle and high school students who want to play sports, enter the band, sign up for an academic club or join a spirit group must first learn the district's hazing policy as well as state hazing law, then take an exam to prove their knowledge.

Students may take the test as many times as they need to, but they will not be allowed to participate until they answer at least nine of the 10 questions correctly.

"We don't want to penalize the kids, we just want them to understand the seriousness of hazing," said Joe Reasons, principal of Churchill High School.

The high school's JROTC program came under scrutiny last month when a 15-year-old student reported that he was hit several times with a broom handle during practice.

A 16-year-old boy has been sent to alternative school for a semester and is on probation as a result of the charges.

The incident occurred just four months after 14 cheerleaders at Alamo Heights High School were kicked off the squad and suspended from classes for consuming alcohol and participating in hazing activity at an off-campus party.

Since 1995, at least two other North East campuses have faced hazing allegations.

"I'm not sure every 15-, 16- or 17-year-old kid knows exactly what hazing is — and they should know," said Madison High School football coach Jim Streety. "Hopefully, this will serve as the preventive measure that it's intended to be."

North East policy defines hazing as any intentional or reckless act — occurring on or off campus — that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in or maintaining membership in any student group.