Hazed: A greek tragedy at Northwestern-Lambda Phi Epsilon

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Feelings were hurt.

Aren't feelings important?

Not important enough to warrant a damn newspaper article or an "outrage." Most pledges would be happy if this "drink til you drop" was the worst part of their pledgeship.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

Most pledges would be happy if this "drink til you drop" was the worst part of their pledgeship.

I think Kevin's post was meant to be sarcastic (dripping with it, in fact).

And the danger of the statement above is that too quickly, these sentiments could turn into ridiculous things like boiling water being poured on pledges and disfiguring them for life.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

I think Kevin's post was meant to be sarcastic (dripping with it, in fact).

And the danger of the statement above is that too quickly, these sentiments could turn into ridiculous things like boiling water being poured on pledges and disfiguring them for life.

Yes, that was sarcastic, but as far as the correlation between PhiGam's sort of hazing and the pouring of boiling water, I just don't see it. One most certainly does not lead to the other.

While both from a risk standpoint are bad things, of course, and both would for some result in serious bodily injury or possibly death, they just aren't related.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Yes, that was sarcastic, but as far as the correlation between PhiGam's sort of hazing and the pouring of boiling water, I just don't see it. One most certainly does not lead to the other.

While both from a risk standpoint are bad things, of course, and both would for some result in serious bodily injury or possibly death, they just aren't related.

I was trying to relate the impression that the false bravado that I think is too prevalent among guys who start upping the ante on "how tough" their pledging is/was/should be can get out of hand. Saying that guys would wish their pledging was "as easy" as just drinking 'til they drop leaves the door too wide open to suggestions that more = brand of cool/real pledging. Add alcohol and older brothers egging each other on, and clearly, anything can happen. I mean, really, how else do things escalate to the level where idiots will put a pot of boiling water on a stove with the intent to shower pledges with it? Reacting to tales of pledging with a "psht, that ain't nothin'" doesn't move organizations forward and protect the young men coming in to the greek system from boys who get too caught up in their own braggadocio.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

braggadocio.

I'm not being dismissive of the rest of what you said, but that really is a great word.

[exlurker]

Update September 24, 2008: Four-Year Suspension Upheld

Story from the Daily Northwestern's site:

http://media.www.dailynorthwestern.c...-3448862.shtml

Excerpts:
After losing all appeal attempts this summer, Lambda Phi Epsilon fraternity received a four-year suspension from Northwestern, said Jim Neumeister, director of judicial affairs. The sanction was the result of a hearing in front of University Hearing and Appeals System last spring.

The board found the historically Asian fraternity violated four university rules, Neumeister said: hazing, a rule prohibiting violence or threatening the safety of any person, restrictions on recruitment until Winter Quarter of a student's freshman year and failure to cooperate with the investigation and student conduct hearings.

Knowledge of the hazing practices became widespread after an April story in The Weekly. . . . They [former pledges] said members of the fraternity forced them to perform all-night calisthenics . . . and drink gallon jugs of thick liquid appearing to be a mixture of ketchup and Tabasco sauce.

The fraternity is prohibited from any on-campus or off-campus activities until at least the 2012-2013 school year. . . .