Hazing policy released

By Caitlin Nish

Daily Staff Reporter

Backing up its promise with quick action, the University Hazing Task Force released a preventative hazing policy yesterday that the task force is recommending to the Greek system.

The policy defines hazing as "any action or situation, with or without consent of the participants, which recklessly, intentionally or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical or academic health or safety of a student."

It also outlines accountability, procedure and sanctions that could occur if a chapter is found guilty of hazing.

Interfraternity Council President Adam Silver said the committee's detailed policy exceeded his expectations.

"One of the problems in the past is we've never addressed the issue, it's been the Greek system's dirty little secret," Silver said.

"This policy is an integral part in changing the culture of the Greek community," he said.

The 15 members of the hazing task force had until the end of the semester to compile a hazing policy.

All three branches of the Greek system are expected to vote on the policy when it is presented to them later this week for ratification.

"Most important when creating the policy was keeping it centered around self-government and self-enforcement," said LSA senior David Singer, co-chair of the task force.

"It is important that we show we can take care of ourselves and we will address the problem within our system without being told to do so," he said.

In order to create the policy, the task force looked to the policies of other Big Ten schools.

"We selected a bunch of different policies which seemed the most thorough and picked out the loopholes to make sure that we didn't have those in ours," said Business junior Brad Chod, co-chair of the task force.

The policy states that each term an appointed 12-member committee will be appointed will preside over all investigations and hearings regarding hazing that occur throughout the semester.

Singer said if the policy is ratified, the task force will ensure the confidentiality of students, faculty or parents who alert the force to allegations of hazing through e-mail, a special phone line or a drop box located in the Office of Greek Life.

After receiving a tip, the task force will then choose three members with

no bias on a case to case basis to investigate allegations. A letter of accusation will be hand delivered to the president of the chapter in question. If there is sufficient evidence for a hearing, the president of the chapter and the individuals accused of wrongdoing must appear in front of the group.

The individual who is accusing the chapter may provide testimony or can opt to give testimony through investigators. In addition, the chapter's national organization will be alerted to the charges and date of the hearing. If found guilty of wrongdoing, sanctions can be imposed upon the chapter and individuals will be reported to the Office of Conflict Resolutionfor further investigation into violations of the Code of Student Conduct.

According to the policy, sanctions imposed on a chapter can include a written formal reprimand, disciplinary probation, community service hours or projects, mandatory educational programming, rush infractions and penalties, monetary fines, suspension or expulsion.

In addition to the procedural process of investigations and hearings, a main facet of the hazing policy is a preventative education program.

All chapter presidents and new-member educators will be required to attend programs. New members will be required to sign the policy before accepting a bid.

"I think (the policy) will make a difference, we have to believe that. We need to be diligent in enforcing and continuing our educational efforts," Panhel Adviser Mary Beth Seiler said.

Singer and Chod expect the policy to help the Greek community rather than anger it, as some expect.

"Does every person think that this is best? No, but it is best for the system as a whole," Chod said.

Singer agreed, saying the Greek community, not University administration, must deal with the problem of hazing. "This is not meant to splinter the Greek system or to spark any controversy. It is to say we understand that there is a problem and we are going to take our own initiative."

SAM HOLLENSHEAD/Daily

LSA junior Brad Chod of Sigma Alpha Mu and LSA senior David Singer of Beta Theta Pi read parts of a new hazing policy drafted by the University Hazing Task Force last night at the Sigma Delta Tau sorority house.