The effort the University put forth to deal with hazing seems ineffectual and pointless. An anti-hazing hotline requires the voluntary action of the pledge or person being hazed to call and report the abuse. But students pledging fraternities and sororities are often unaware of what constitutes hazing. Reassurances from fraternity brothers of the tradition and ritual in the hazing seemingly justifies the mistreatment. Why would a pledge actively object to poor treatment if it creates a feeling of group unity and historical pride?
Tragedy beset Seton Hall University last week as a fire in the Boland Residence Hall claimed the lives of three students and left five others in the hospital. The residence hall was ill-equipped to handle the fire, as no sprinkler systems were installed in the dorm. Seton Hall's lack of sprinklers most likely contributed to the magnitude of the fire, as did the 18 false alarms at Boland since the start of the fall semester. False alarms are the norm and the vast majority of dorms nationwide are without sprinkler systems - a dangerous combination, especially when the typical dorm crams 1,000 students into its quarters. Just recently an electrical fire in Mary Markley Residence Hall caused severe damage to a room on the sixth floor. Like Boland, Markley does not have sprinkler systems. Not only should The University add systems to all residence halls, but the state should require them.
