Blindfolds as Hazing?

[naraht]

I'd like information as to under what conditions blindfolding constitutes hazing as a legal matter or by various GLO, GLO Council or FIPG regulations. I believe that Alpha Phi Omega's (Service greek, member PFA) current rules are Blindfolds may be used, but should not be used if it conflicts with School rules or state law.

Randolph Finder
Alpha Phi Omega alumnus

[SoCalGirl]

Blindfolding. Always hazing in my group's book.

[Kevin]

Laws vary from state to state. Here's Oklahoma's current definition of hazing:

1. "Hazing" means an activity which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental health or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating subject to the sanction of the public or private school or of any institution of higher education in this state;
2. "Endanger the physical health" shall include but not be limited to any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, alcoholic beverage as defined in Section 506 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes, low-point beer as defined in Section 163.2 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes, drug, controlled dangerous substance, or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual; and
3. "Endanger the mental health" shall include any activity, except those activities authorized by law, which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as prolonged sleep deprivation, forced prolonged exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.

My guess would be that blindfolds in most states are a-ok by themselves and not indicia of hazing per se. However, as I'm sure you can imagine, it wouldn't be difficult to imagine a situation where the blindfold might be used as part of an overall hazing act.

My advice is to know your own state's laws and to consult an attorney if you're still not sure. Your state's Bar Association probably sponsors a "Pro Bono Day" where you can get quick, free advice from an attorney if your group doesn't have an alum who can help you out here.

[naraht]

The use of Blindfolds in this case is specifically as part of the Nationally designated rituals and the caveat about school rules and state laws is written in the ritual.

[AGDee]

Whether hazing or not, they are usually considered bad risk management. The risk of injury while blindfolded is increased too much, especially when you hear about things like being triple blindfolded in a moving car on the freeway...

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by AGDee

Whether hazing or not, they are usually considered bad risk management. The risk of injury while blindfolded is increased too much, especially when you hear about things like being triple blindfolded in a moving car on the freeway...

Assuming you don't mean that the blindfoldee is driving, how is risk increased?

[PANTHERTEKE]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Assuming you don't mean that the blindfoldee is driving, how is risk increased?

Haha, I just got a hilarious mental picture.

I don't think the risk of injury is increased when you are blindfolded (ok yeah, maybe you'll trip over a rock or something but nothing out of the ordinary). I think not being able to tell what is going on around you and what is being done or could be done to you is the real risk.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Assuming you don't mean that the blindfoldee is driving, how is risk increased?

There have been auto accidents where some of the passengers in the car were blindfolded on the way to a "secret" location and weren't able to evacuate the car quickly, immediately assess the situation, get their blind folds off, etc.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AGDee

The risk of injury while blindfolded is increased too much, especially when you hear about things like being triple blindfolded in a moving car on the freeway...

There are no cars or freeways involved in APO ritual.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by 33girl

There are no cars or freeways involved in APO ritual.

Thanks for the chuckle.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by 33girl

There are no cars or freeways involved in APO ritual.

Nor in the Delt Ritual.

I can see potential Risk Management issues, though, and I hadn't really considered them before.

Two obvious ones might be a fall or injury due to the blindfolded person not seeing an obstacle or that person getting too close to a lighted candle (assuming some rituals use candles).

As for hazing, to me it depends on how and when the blindfolds are used. I might have a problem with it other than in rituals, and then assuming they are strictly controlled with no chance of harm.

[CBU Jeff]

Originally Posted by naraht

The use of Blindfolds in this case is specifically as part of the Nationally designated rituals and the caveat about school rules and state laws is written in the ritual.

I would have to agree. If you look at the history of many chapter's ritual, it can be traced back to the Masons. There, blindfolds were used on the uninitiated, due to the fact that they were not yet worthy to see that of the initiated.


But truthfully, it could go either way. If acting in sound mind, I see nothing wrong with blindfolds in ritual and such. However, blindfolds used for anything outside what is prescribed by the respective IHQ would have to be defined as hazing.

[RaggedyAnn]

Do we really need to go into the dangers of car accidents while hazing blind folded new members?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

Do we really need to go into the dangers of car accidents while hazing blind folded new members?

But your argument is that they were hurt while blindfolded and possibly could have been hurt more because of the blindfolding.

Do you not see that the fact that someone could be hurt doing something doesn't make that thing hazing? It could be dangerous, but not hazing.

But really... having a national rule because of something that happened one or two times ever is just silly.

[DSTCHAOS]