Hazing in Greek Life

"Any action or situation with or without consent which recklessly, intentionally or unintentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or creates risk of injury, or causes discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership"

- The definition of "hazing" as adopted by the National Panhellenic Conference of sororities

Hazing is a topic that, as college students, we are all familiar with. Greek life earned a reputation for hazing its new members in the 1980's and 1990's. Greek organizations are not the only ones, other clubs and teams have been reprimanded for hazing, including athletes from our own University of Maine. Many campaigns in recent years have helped to make people aware of hazing, and in doing so, prevent it. As for fraternities and sororities the reputation continues to follow them, making others suspicious of their activities. It is important to recognize that hazing is forbidden by the bylaws of all national fraternities and sororities, so organizations that are caught hazing can and will be punished. Any pledge or new member to a fraternity and sorority who feels they are being hazed should report the incident, either to the authorities on their campus or by calling a hazing hotline. Visit one of these websites for more information:

http://www.hazingprevention.org/index.php

http://www.stophazing.org/