Voluntary or Coercive?
What if someone agrees to participate in an activity and later claims to have been hazed? That can't possibly be hazing can it? As a matter of fact, courts have stated that the willingness of a participant in a hazing activity does not make it OK. Due to the coercive nature and high level of peer pressure of most hazing activities, the courts say that it is impossible to say whether someone actually WANTS to participate or if they feel like they HAVE TO participate, thus making the activity hazing!
Who is a Hazer?
According to legal precedent, everyone who knows about (but doesn't object to), participates in, or approves a hazing activity is guilty of hazing and can be found liable for any damages resulting from the activity. This can include other new members, associates, or pledges. By allowing it to take place and not reporting it, you are just as guilty as the person doing it.
What Happens to Hazers?
A wide variety of consequences await individuals found guilty of hazing. Specific sanctions and consequences vary greatly on a case by case basis. The following are just some of the possible consequences:
Expulsion from college
Jail time
Lawsuits (They cost money even if you're found not guilty!)
Fines (Enormous fines!)
Community service
Probation
Revocation of diploma if found guilty after graduation
Tarnished record (Try to get a teaching job with hazing on your record!)
Chapter may lose charter
National fraternity or sorority may pass expense on to other chapters
How Do I Make it Stop?
EDUCATE your members on what hazing is, why it is not consistent with the values and mission of the fraternity and how you can reach the same objective through constructive new member activities.
CONFRONT any behavior by members that are considered hazing – no matter how big or how small. Furthermore, when AMs say that they “want to be hazed,” “like the hazing,” or “don’t think it is that big of a deal,” they need to be confronted. If you EDUCATED the chapter as described above you should all be on the same page in regard to expectations. Ignorance or “wanting it” or “liking it” is not an excuse for allowing hazing to continue.
Institute a culture of ACCOUNTABILITY. The confrontation piece is the start to stopping hazing. However, if the confrontation is not heeded and/or hazing is still occurring, you MUST hold those individuals accountable. Via a standards hearing, you should institute appropriate sanctions that are both educational and punitive in nature. (Please refer to your standards/judicial procedures or consult your chapter advisor for assistance.)
REPORT the situation and your plan for addressing the violation immediately to your chapter advisor. It is important to be honest about the situation and for them to hear it from you first.