'U' proposes stricter hazing policies By Jeannie Baumann Daily Staff Reporter After several nationally publicized allegations of fraternity hazing on campus, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs E. Royster Harper said she now is working with students to "put more teeth" into the University's anti-hazing policy. "The policy is so broad we couldn't find it," she said during Friday's meeting of the University Board of Regents. Adopted by the regents in June 1982, the policy states that "the University of Michigan condemns hazing practices as requirements for membership, advancement, or continued good standing in organizations." Harper described the "umbrella" policy as a philosophical base, upon which organizations were to develop specific practices. But she said the latter half has not been completed and her office is looking into developing those practices. "We must institutionally hold students accountable for their behavior," she said. Harper said she hopes to enforce the policy by creating an anti-hazing hotline and strengthening relationships with the national fraternity organizations. "These behaviors are unsafe and demeaning," Harper said. "We have to move pretty assertively to make sure that our students are safe." Interfraternity Council President Adam Silver also attended the meeting and said IFC and the Panhellenic Association are taking immediate steps to address the recent hazing incidents on campus. "We're writing letters to parents, letting them know that their son or daughter is a member of a Greek association," said Silver, an Engineering senior. Silver also described an upcoming conference with new member educators, presidents of each campus chapter, University administrators and public safety officials to discuss the dangers of hazing and the consequences of violating the anti-hazing policy. He also said IFC and Panhel are appointing a joint task force to create specific policies on hazing violations, including physical and mental harm and poor academic performance. "We hope to have the policy by the end of the semester," Silver said. Regent Laurence Deitch (D-Bloomfield Hills) said the incidents are "abhorrent" and he supports the concept of a thoughtful investigation. But he added that only a small number of students are violating anti-hazing codes. "I believe that the overwhelming number of men and women in Greek organizations have consistency between action and word," he said. Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Gilbert Omenn addressed hazing incidents which result in hospitalization and suggested a way for students to learn firsthand of the risks involved. "It's appropriate to visit fellow students to see the consequences," he said. Originally on page 1A in the 1-24-2000 issue of the Daily.