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| 04-22-2005 | Previous edition: 04-21-2005 |
        
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Printer-friendly version Hazing rises among campus organizationsBy Brent ForguesCampus Editor Hazing among college campuses is a more prevalent problem than most people realize, said one Purdue professor. Joann Miller, an associate professor of sociology, said the recent disciplinary actions taken by the Office of the Dean of Students against three student organizations for hazing is indicative that most incidents go unreported. On Wednesday, Delta Tau Delta, 400 Northwestern Ave.; Sigma Nu, 1301 Tower Drive; and Chauncey Cooperative, 215 S. Chauncey Ave.; were placed on one-year probation for hazing prospective members, according to the University’s Office of the Dean of Students. A release from the office reported that the organizations had committed various infractions in regards to hazing only after receiving several anonymous complaints. Miller said many students are unwilling to report what goes on because of pressure from different social institutions. Students are afraid that quitting would be unacceptable to colleagues and friends, she said, and pledging affects how students perceive their own identities. "I wouldn’t say that it happens in every pledge’s life," she said. "The student may be saying, ‘I should be tough, I should stand up for what’s occurring and not let it interfere,’ but the person does feel pretty isolated." Miller said some students will continue to accept what’s happening, unbeknownst to them that what they have experienced is hazing. People on the inside make people on the outside work hard to deserve their spot, she said, and people who are hazed in general are working hard to belong and become an insider. The social reasoning behind this logic is what makes hazing occur among all college campuses and not just Purdue, she said. "It’s here and everywhere. We’re like other university settings, so we should expect as much hazing as any other major university. "It’s happening right now." But Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students for student activities and organizations, said hazing is not strictly related to Greek or cooperative organizations. Any organization that selects members is prone to having hazing involved, he said, which, in the past, has included organizations such as athletic teams, musical organizations, honors societies and even some religious groups. "It’s across the spectrum," he said. Malavenda described hazing as any activity that harms the academic, physical or mental well-being of a student, regardless of the victim’s consent. "The test we apply is time, place and manner," he said. "If you’re having a sleep-over at a sorority, it may sound innocent, but if the room you’re in is filled with garbage, ice-cold and they blast you with loud music every hour to prevent you from getting continuous sleep … that’s what would be hazing." Malavenda said hazing is a primary concern of the Office of the Dean of Students as the University continues to take steps such as hosting Purdue’s first National Hazing Symposium and staying in contact with every student organization. "Everyone across the nation said it’s a concern that we have to focus on," he said. "When you have a history and tradition being passed on generation from generation, students are bound to get off-track and not always remember the purpose of why they’re doing the things they do. "We’re here to get rid of the meaningless activities and keep the meaningful ones." Printer-friendly version |
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