Is this sort of hazing normal?

[jazing]

I can imagine something like that happening. I've heard of traditions at other chapters of my org that have rites of passage (nowhere as intense as a chapter beating of course). Something like singing the Barbie Song aloud in the cafeteria. Not too serious.

I don't know about forced DD, but if people are under 21, they aren't allowed to drink anyways. I don't think anyone would hold it against you if you say someone under 21 cannot drink and has to be your DD. If they are over 21, then it can be hazing.

[MysticCat]

As Kevin says, every organization (and every college, I would think) prohibits hazing, as do most if not all state laws. That said, the definitions of what constitutes hazing can vary.

As far as things like waking pledges up to take them out to a field and beat them (was your brother already living in the house as a pledge?), I tend to be a little suspicious. Your brother didn't experience it, but just went by what he was told. I'm older and I remember well that some groups would tell pledges they were going to do something like that, but when they'd actually get to wherever they were going, something more like a party happened. The hazing (and yes, it was hazing) was in the fear and anticipation, not in the actual event.

What I'm saying is that one has to be careful to separate rumor from fact.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by jazing

I don't know about forced DD, but if people are under 21, they aren't allowed to drink anyways. I don't think anyone would hold it against you if you say someone under 21 cannot drink and has to be your DD. If they are over 21, then it can be hazing.

The issue with the DDs isn't that under 21s shouldn't be drinking. What if the completely sober DD's contact lens pops out, he can't see and drives the car into a tree? If the fraternity had a written-down DD program, that can be seen as the fraternity assuming responsibility.

And yes I agree this sucks and it's far better to have DDs, but this is the legalese.