Dateline, Sunday 6/3: The College Fraternity Crisis

[ASTalumna06]

Parents fighting to end hazing in fraternities speak out; cases of alleged hazing at various universities.

https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/vid...-1244731459775

[NinjaPoodle]

ASTalumna06, Thanks for posting that.


Here is the link for the full episode:


https://www.nbc.com/dateline/video/t...crisis/3735170

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

ASTalumna06, Thanks for posting that.

Here is the link for the full episode:

https://www.nbc.com/dateline/video/t...crisis/3735170

Thanks for posting the link! This is worth the watch.

I found it interesting that during the interview of sixteen parents of students who died, they asked them whether they believe Greek life should be abolished, and I think only three of them raised their hands (and not quickly). One of them pointed out that they would like to work with fraternities to ensure this doesn't continue to happen going forward.

It was truly heartbreaking to listen to these parents. The worst was when they all acknowledged that if the fraternity brothers had gotten their sons help at the first sign of trouble, they'd likely all be alive today.

I think this is a huge part of the problem - the fear of repercussions. Hazing/alcohol education needs to also focus on the fact that you can't on your own fix an unconscious person who has a blood alcohol level 3 to 5 times the legal limit. Essentially, your only two options are: 1) get them to a hospital, 2) watch them die. There is no coverup or pretending like it didn't happen at that point.

ETA: this was the first I had heard of the organization PUSH - Parents United to Stop Hazing. Does anyone have any information about this group? I wasn't able to track down a website.

[flirt5721]

Worth the watch.

I didn't like that the reporter kept saying "initiation ritual" for what was going on.

I agree with ASTalumna06 about what the problems are.

[shadokat]

The episode is heartbreaking for sure. I still don't love this narrative that somehow college students need adult supervision in their living environments, because there are plenty of off-campus houses having massive parties too. Maybe parents need to teach their children that if the choice is you getting in trouble or someone else dying, you need to call 911. I still don't understand how this isn't a given.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by shadokat

The episode is heartbreaking for sure. I still don't love this narrative that somehow college students need adult supervision in their living environments, because there are plenty of off-campus houses having massive parties too. Maybe parents need to teach their children that if the choice is you getting in trouble or someone else dying, you need to call 911. I still don't understand how this isn't a given.

Massive parties are one thing. Hazing is another.

Let's not throw out whataboutisms to dismiss the issue at hand.

[33girl]

A Good Samaritan law (I think that’s what it’s called) needs to be in place in every state AND honored by the colleges as well. I’m sure most of the reluctance to call 911 etc comes from fear of punishment.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

A Good Samaritan law (I think that’s what it’s called) needs to be in place in every state AND honored by the colleges as well. I’m sure most of the reluctance to call 911 etc comes from fear of punishment.

Exactly.

[shadokat]

I agree with you ASTalumna06. I just don't think we should assume that having an adult present will curb the hazing or drinking, because it didn't for Tim Piazza!

[navane]

Originally Posted by 33girl

A Good Samaritan law (I think that’s what it’s called) needs to be in place in every state AND honored by the colleges as well. I’m sure most of the reluctance to call 911 etc comes from fear of punishment.

"....AND honored by the colleges as well" is the key here. It's one thing to know that you won't be prosecuted in court or successfully sued by the families. It's another thing when the university throws the book at you. Also let's not forget the GLO inter/national offices. They will need to consider how they will respond to those situations as well. How do you tell a chapter "I'm so glad you called 911. You did the right thing. Uhm.............but we need to talk about the hazing"?

[33girl]

Getting kicked out of your GLO is not going to affect your getting a job or into grad school - you just don’t mention you were ever in it. Getting kicked out of school is quite another matter. Considering fraternities and sororities kick people out for pictures of solo cups in social media, I fully expect they’ll be disciplined or removed if they were participating in risky or underage drinking.