Thinking of rushing..Terrified of hazing

[KSUViolet06]

Really though?

Does hazing exist? Unfortunately, yes.

Do we do everything we can to prevent it within our orgs? Yes.

Does it happen everywhere? Nope.

What can you do about it should it happen to you? Choose not to partcipate.

It happens. However, those chapters that do so are not a representation of the entire Greek community.

What you see here is not something that happens in EVERY chapter. For every hazing incident, there are pobably hundreds of chapters who wouldn't dream of participating in those types of things.

Either go through recruitment and see for yourself, or don't.

I really fail to see what you are looking for people to tell you...

[AOII Angel]

If you are really worried about death, realize that the number 1 cause of death in hazing incidents is alcohol poisoning. Don't drink more alcohol than you are used to drinking. NPC sororities do not have a strong history of hazing with resulting death, so I'm not sure where you got this idea. Unfortunately, when men haze, the result can be more deadly. For women, hazing usually involves more psychological forms of abuse.

When you go through recruitment, if you hear that a group hazes, realize that where there is smoke, there is probably fire. If you chose to pledge that group, you may have to deal with hazing. Most likely, this will be psychological or verbal abuse, but you do NOT have to take it. Contact your Greek Advisor or call the Hazing hotline. Hazing only has power when the people being hazed let the hazers have power over them. Sorority membership isn't important enough to put yourself at risk if it comes to that, so just walk away.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Alumyum

I stand by my statement that worrying about dying or being severely mentally/emotionally/physically shouldn't be a deterrent in deciding to rush.

Oh and I agree with this and it isn't what I was replying about.

For the record, discussing hazing isn't just discussing the hazing that results in death or mental/emotional/physical repurcussions.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Oh and I agree with this and it isn't what I was replying about.

For the record, discussing hazing isn't just discussing the hazing that results in death or mental/emotional/physical repurcussions.

Because of the OP's post and specific concerns, that's what I focused on...the extremes. But yes, it is certainly a broader topic than just extreme examples.

[lphiefreak]

some fraternities haze, some don't, make sure you choose the right one for you

for me its all about tradition, i have no problem but
hazing is not a good idea, we had people die from it
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...63&ft=1&f=1001

thankfully there is a video about anti hazing here from stophazing.org for my fraternity lambda phi epsilon
http://www.stophazing.org/nuwer/july08column.htm

be smart if you haze guys dont let anyone die

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by lphiefreak

some fraternities haze, some don't, make sure you choose the right one for you

for me its all about tradition, i have no problem but
hazing is not a good idea, we had people die from it
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...63&ft=1&f=1001

thankfully there is a video about anti hazing here from stophazing.org for my fraternity lambda phi epsilon
http://www.stophazing.org/nuwer/july08column.htm

be smart if you haze guys dont let anyone die

@ the bold

I find it interesting that a member of LPhiE is educating us about hazing. It's like a crackhead teaching us about the dangers of drugs [but if you DO take drugs, be smart and don't overdose].

[FleurGirl]

Originally Posted by NotYetGreek

I am considering attending University of Idaho and rushing a sorority. I joined Greek Chat so I could browse the forums about hazing. I want nothing to do with hazing or any such incidents. That is the one thing that is holding me back from rushing. I understand from reading these posts and news articles that most hazing goes on during the pledging process. Also, that most hazed students were actually doing the acts their abusers asked them to do. If someone tries to leave a dangerous situation are they harmed? Or are they allowed to freely leave?

Does anyone know if University of Idaho still has problems with hazing? Do most universities have hazing problems? Should I not even rush? I am so terrified of this, so any serious information or experiences would be appreciated.

Are there any tips anyone has to look out for early signs that may foreshadow hazing that I should look for before I am in a dangerous situation?

I felt the same way before I rushed, and in retrospect, it was pretty rediculous! Although I don't go to your school, I don't think hazing happens much anymore. In the event that anything DOES happen, you can always just walk away. Don't let fear hold you back!

[tinytina10]

I apologize if this is sounding redundant because I realize its already been said but I want to reiterate that if you're put in a situation you're uncomfortable with all you have to do is say so.

As FleurGirl said, don't let fear of something like this hold you back from rushing. IMO, Sisterhood is the point of being a sorority member (among many other great things as well) and if you recieve a bid to join an organization it is because they view you as someone they want to share that sisterhood with. They aren't out to hurt you or embarrass you, what would they gain from that?