2008 Woodie Awards
IFC investigation into hazing continues
Colleen Evans
Issue date: 3/14/07 Section: News
At this point, most students have heard about the issues facing New Member Education for fraternities this year. Punishments have been given to Kappa Sigma and Fiji, and an investigation into SAE is currently pending.
The IFC found that Kappa Sigma asked their new members to stand outside in cold weather for approximately an hour on two occasions. They subsequently recommended that the fraternity be placed on critical probation for 1 year.
Kappa Sigma has terminated New Member Education for the rest of this year. Kappa Sigma National will be on campus for a week next year to supervise initiation of the new members. They will also engage the fraternity in intensive Membership Development. Next year's New Member Education will also be shortened for Kappa Sigma.
FIJI's recommended punishments by the IFC are the same as that for Kappa Sigma. They are being reprimanded for behavior including asking the new members to consume a mixture of condiments.
SAE is being investigated for accusations similar to FIJI and Kappa Sigma's, but details will not be released at this time.
A memo from Director of Greek Life Jason Rodocker stressed the importance that no Greek organization was questioned about hazing this year unless the hazing hotline received more than one report from multiple sources citing inappropriate behavior.
Rodocker stated, however, "I think it is time to move beyond the investigations and start thinking about solutions."
"We are better now than we were before, but we still have further to go. We are moving in the right direction as a University and as a Greek system," Rodocker said.
Rodocker's concern is to make sure that the stu dents understand that behavior related to initiation is better than it was five years ago, and we are heading in the right direction. The issues under surveillance are less severe than in previous years.
Rodocker said students should not be taking the attitude that "we will do bad things to new members cause it was done to use when we were new members." Changing this attitude, Rodocker said, is critical to making the right steps towards a healthy New Member Education.
According to the memo, ideally, bonding should occur through group participation in fun, creative, productive activities, including service projects, attending campus events together, and partaking in a number of outdoor activities.
Requirements for New Member Education for fraternities include 12 hours of supervised study hall and participation in Day of Dialogue, Content of Chapter, ropes course, leadership workshops, services projects, and TIPS alcohol training.
The IFC found that Kappa Sigma asked their new members to stand outside in cold weather for approximately an hour on two occasions. They subsequently recommended that the fraternity be placed on critical probation for 1 year.
Kappa Sigma has terminated New Member Education for the rest of this year. Kappa Sigma National will be on campus for a week next year to supervise initiation of the new members. They will also engage the fraternity in intensive Membership Development. Next year's New Member Education will also be shortened for Kappa Sigma.
FIJI's recommended punishments by the IFC are the same as that for Kappa Sigma. They are being reprimanded for behavior including asking the new members to consume a mixture of condiments.
SAE is being investigated for accusations similar to FIJI and Kappa Sigma's, but details will not be released at this time.
A memo from Director of Greek Life Jason Rodocker stressed the importance that no Greek organization was questioned about hazing this year unless the hazing hotline received more than one report from multiple sources citing inappropriate behavior.
Rodocker stated, however, "I think it is time to move beyond the investigations and start thinking about solutions."
"We are better now than we were before, but we still have further to go. We are moving in the right direction as a University and as a Greek system," Rodocker said.
Rodocker's concern is to make sure that the stu dents understand that behavior related to initiation is better than it was five years ago, and we are heading in the right direction. The issues under surveillance are less severe than in previous years.
Rodocker said students should not be taking the attitude that "we will do bad things to new members cause it was done to use when we were new members." Changing this attitude, Rodocker said, is critical to making the right steps towards a healthy New Member Education.
According to the memo, ideally, bonding should occur through group participation in fun, creative, productive activities, including service projects, attending campus events together, and partaking in a number of outdoor activities.
Requirements for New Member Education for fraternities include 12 hours of supervised study hall and participation in Day of Dialogue, Content of Chapter, ropes course, leadership workshops, services projects, and TIPS alcohol training.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
ORCA
posted 3/16/07 @ 8:20 PM EST
Let me get this straight. It's considered hazing at W&L to ask pledges to stand out in the cold for over 1 hour.
This has to be the most pussyfied SAE chapter I have ever heard of. (Continued…)
Post a Comment