Running head: HAZING IN COLLEGE GREEK LIFE 1

Hazing in College Greek Life

Jenna Clark

Arizona State University

Hazing in College Greek Life 2

Abstract

This project focuses on the research of hazing throughout the college greek life. It focuses on the

different kinds of hazing as well as the danger hazing can have. In this project there are some

general examples of hazing as well as some specific stories.

Keywords​: Hazing, Greek Life, Arizona State University

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[Title]

Section 1, Introduction

The topic I am focusing on is hazing in greek life. I find this interesting because I hear a lot of

talk throughout greek life about hazing and I wanted to see what hazing really is. There has also

been a lot of attention in the media about hazing due to some recent deaths that resulted after

hazing incidents were taken to far.

Section 2, Annotated Bibliography

Allan, E. J., & Kinney, M. B. (n.d.). Hazing and Gender:. ​Hazing,​ 100-115.

doi:10.2307/j.ctt20d87tz.13

https://www.colgate.edu/offices-and-services/deanofthecollege/hazing-prevention/examples-of-h

azing

This resource goes into detail on all of the different kinds of hazing. Colgate University explains

the top three types of hazing: subtle hazing, harassment hazing, and violent hazing. Subtle hazing

is when the activities are seemed to be “harmless” or meaningless. There is also a difference in

power between people that are new members and members that are already apart of said

organization. Often these hazing activities result in the new members undergoing embarrassing

activities to gain mutual respect by people that are already accepted into the group. A lot of this

type of hazing includes things like doing activities with no meaning, physical activity, activities

resulting in loss of sleep, greeting old members in specific ways, requiring people to hold onto

certain items, walking in groups, or restricting communication with certain people or groups.
Hazing in College Greek Life 4

Harassment hazing often results in the person being hazed to feel frustrated, confused, or

stressed. These activities normally result in emotional discomfort or physical discomfort. Some

examples of this kind of hazing includes things like yelling and screaming at the person, chores,

lineups with the intent to interrogate, demeaning, or intimidate those involved. They also may

make them wear embarrassing clothes, they will assign the new members pranks that involve

things like stealing, painting objects, or harassing other groups. Forced confinement and

dropping off new members somewhere unknown and making them find their way back is also

harassing methods used. Violent Hazing is hazing that has the potential to cause pain, and

emotional or psychological harm. This category of hazing tends to be the most extreme hazing

things like, capturing and kidnapping, forced nudity, sexual activity, pushing, shoving, tackling,

or any other physical contact, forced consumption of liquids or food, paddling or whipping, and

things like branding, cutting, labeling, or shaving parts of the body.

Excerpts:

“Subtle” hazing refers to activities that are often taken for granted or accepted as “harmless” or

meaningless.”

“Harassment” hazing confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress for new members. This

behavior has the potential to cause emotional anguish and/or physical discomfort.”

“Violent” hazing is behavior that has the potential to cause physical, emotional, and/or

psychological harm. It often includes activities that tend to be the most extreme types of hazing.”
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Andone, D. (2018, December 08). Why so many college students pledge Greek life knowing

they'll be hazed. Retrieved from

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/25/health/hazing-dangers-fraternities-sororities/index.html

Dakin Andone (2018) is a reporter for CNN. Andone tells the story of Colin Schlank, a boy

rushing Alpha Epsilon Pi at the University of Connecticut. He was placed in the backseat of a car

and the driver was driving aggressively causing him to fly around in the back seat. He felt

confused when the leaders of the chapter were “swearing in my face and treating me like an

animal”(Andone, 2018, Para. 6). He also says throughout his pledging he experienced a lot of

heavy drinking, verbal abuse, and humiliation. Andone explains that Colin’s situation is far from

the only hazing situation. At the University of Maine they completed a study that showed that

73% of Greek Life Students students claimed to have been apart of a hazing situation. At Penn

State in 2017 there was a sophomore named Timothy Piazza who died after drinking large

quantities of alcohol in his first night of pledging. At Louisiana State there was a boy named

Maxwell Gruver that died of alcohol poisoning after a hazing ritual. Florida State University

suspended all their frats and sororities after a pledge died due to hazing. The writer then

addresses the question, why is greek life allowed if it seems to be such a dangerous thing. Well

Andone writes about how the pledges or new potential members go through the “hazing” to

reach the benefits that come with being a member. For example, a lot of times being a member in

these greek life groups comes with “prestige, a more active social life and a social network that

could help students later in life”(Andone, 2018, para 18). A lot of these groups bring a sense of

belonging to the individuals. Many people join this greek life groups to expand their social circle
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and meet new friends in a different environment. The writer then switches to talk about Susan

Burch’s story. She was rushing a sorority at a smaller private college. She said she was warned

of the hazing when she met the group on the lawn. She figured the girls would make the hazing

fun. She said it started out very easy and was focused on having the pledges meet the girls that

were already members; however, she says a week later she was blindfolded in the back of a car

and brought to a freezing cold creek. They were yelled at and spit on while being forced to do

physical exercises. After they climbed out of the water they were told to build fires to keep them

warm, but then the members would knock the fires down and they would need to rebuild it.

Susan said “I think back on that moment and i’ve never been so cold in my life. I hated that, I

hated it.” Some say they don’t force anyone to drink but the peer pressure makes them feel

unaccepted if they do not partake in the drinking.

Excerpts:

"I remember that one moment where I was like, 'something isn't right here,'" Schlank told CNN.

"Here are the supposed leaders of the chapter, swearing in my face and treating me like an

animal."

“A ​University of Maine study​ from 2008, the most recent year for which such research is

available, found that 73% of students in fraternities and sororities experienced what they called

some form of hazing at least once.”

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“Fraternities and sororities offer an easy way to make friends in an unfamiliar environment, said

Hank Nuwer, a professor at Franklin College who has researched hazing for decades. "This

collective need to belong is very, very strong," he said.”

Jonas, J. (2017, September 6). Hazing in High School Athletics. Retrieved from

https://www.nfhs.org/articles/hazing-in-high-school-athletics/

Jeff Jonas starts off this article addressing the common stereotype of hazing. Most people only

think of hazing taking place in college sororities and fraternities. He says that hazing has become

a lot more common in high school sports as well. This article focuses on hazing prevention. He

talks about how coaches need to be proactive. In most hazing situations the coaches get fired for

allowing such things to happen within their team. Hazing is done for those that want to be apart

of the group, and after the hazing they are accepted into the group. The article then talks about

how to identify hazing. They highlight on coach awareness.

Excerpts:

“The act of hazing has mostly been associated with college fraternities and sororities, but it is

becoming a more frequent occurrence in high school athletics.”

“One distinction that should be made about hazing is that bullying and hazing are not the same

thing. Hazing is a form of bullying, but hazing is seen as temporary.”

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“Hazing is an act often performed by a group. The act of hazing is done to individuals who want

to join a group. Being put through a hazing ritual usually ends with the person or persons being

allowed into the group.”

Norman, G. (n.d.). Ohio fraternity pledge says he felt like he was 'going to die' after 'hazing

ritual' involving spiked paddle. Retrieved from

https://www.foxnews.com/us/ohio-fraternity-pledge-says-he-felt-like-he-was-going-to-die-after-

hazing-ritual-involving-spiked-paddle

This story is written about a pledge that was forced to drink a lot of alcohol and beaten with a

paddle. The paddle had spikes and grooves on it. During this event the pledge said to a member

“Call 911, I feel like im going to die”(Norman, 2019, para 1). After this the frat was forced to

move out of their house a couple days after. He said during this event he was blindfolded with 24

other pledges while scary music played in the background. The pledge said he was then forced to

drink and smoke marijuana. After that he was kicked and spit on by the members. He also said

he was getting beat on the butt with paddles that had spikes. When the member called 911 for

him he arrived to the hospital on a stretcher and was kept there for 7 hours. His BAC was 0.231.

Excerpts:

“​a student pledging a fraternity at Miami University in ​Ohio​ says he pleaded with a member:

“call 911, I feel like I’m going to die.”

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“While at the house, the pledge claims he was forced to drink large amounts of alcohol and

smoke marijuana before being kicked and spit on by fraternity members.”

“The student says he then spent around 7 hours at a local hospital with a blood alcohol content

level of .231 – nearly three times over the legal limit.”

Wash, S. (n.d.). Alleged hazing attack by high school football team caught on camera. Retrieved

from

https://abcnews.go.com/US/alleged-hazing-attack-high-school-football-team-caught/story?id=54

922062

A high school boy’s parents are demanding that the football coach is fired. Their son was beaten

by his football team as an act of hazing. His name was Rodney Kim Jr. Rodney suffered a broken

arm and a lot of bruising from the hazing beating. There was a video that was found of the team

members that kicking, jumping on, and pummeling Rodney. When the parents were notified of

their sons injury they were first told that he just got hurt during practice. The parents then later

were told that they believe it had something to do with hazing. At the hospital he had to undergo

surgery to fix his broken arm. There was then a police investigation that took place. There were

kids that were suspended that were involved.

Excerpts:

“Fourteen-year-old Rodney Kim Jr. suffered a broken arm, busted lip and bruises on his back in

the incident that occurred Friday afternoon at Davidson High School, in Mobile, Alabama, his

parents told ABC News. The freshman quarterback required surgery on his broken arm.”
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“ a group of students can be seen apparently pummeling, kicking, and jumping on Kim Jr.”

“Twenty children jumped my son and only four were suspended,” Kim said. “The police

detectives told us today they are working on it, but to make more arrests, that’s up to the DA’s

office.”

WHAT HAZING LOOKS LIKE. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://hazingprevention.org/home/hazing/facts-what-hazing-looks-like/

The definition of hazing according to Hazing Prevention is “​Hazing is any action taken or any

situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule and risks

emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group or team, whether new or not, regardless

of the person’s willingness to participate.” Most hazing situations have things in common. Power

differences between those being hazed and those that are ordering the hazing activities to take

place is often constant in all hazing situations. There is also often the saying that hazing is

actually just their tradition or their ritual of the group. Some hazing examples are: any activity

that results in someone trying to prove themselves to the group, forced consumption of alcohol,

forced to eat spicy foods, forced to complete hard tasks resulting in sleep loss or physical labor,

humiliation, isolation of new members, beating, paddling, forced to complete tasks, or being

forced to complete illegal activities such as scavenger hunts resulting in stealing. Hazing occurs
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in many groups like sports teams, clubs, greek life, cheerleading, honor societies, etc. Most

hazing incidents and death include alcohol.

Excerpts:

“Hazing is any action taken or any situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment,

harassment or ridicule and risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group or team,

whether new or not, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.”

“Forced activities for new recruits to ‘prove’ their worth to join”

“Forced activities for new recruits to ‘prove’ their worth to join”

Section 3, Investigative Essay

What exactly is hazing? Why do people join groups that are known to haze? Well,

according to HazingPrevention.org “Hazing is any action taken or any situation created

intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule and risks emotional and/or

physical harm to members of a group or team, whether new or not, regardless of the person’s

willingness to participate (Hazing Prevention, 2018, para 1). Hazing is very common in college

fraternities and sororities, and has also made its appearance in high school sports teams and

clubs.

Different hazing has been split into three different categories: subtle hazing, harassment

hazing, and violent hazing (Allan, para. 2) Subtle hazing is when the activities are seemed to be

“harmless” or meaningless. There is also a difference in power between people that are new

members and members that are already apart of the group. Some examples of subtle hazing is

force of sleep loss, holding onto items, greeting people that are already members in a certain
Hazing in College Greek Life 12

way, or walking in groups. Harassment hazing is when the person being hazed ends up feeling

frustrated, confused, or stressed. Some examples of this kind of hazing includes things like

yelling and screaming at the person, chores, lineups with the intent to interrogate or intimidate

those involved. Often members will assign the new members to do pranks that involve things

like stealing, painting objects, or harassing other groups. Lastly, forced confinement and

dropping off new members somewhere unknown and making them find their way back is also

harassing methods that are used. Violent Hazing is hazing that has the potential to cause pain,

and emotional or psychological harm. This category of hazing tends to be the most extreme

hazing things like, capturing and kidnapping, forced nudity, sexual activity, pushing, shoving,

tackling, or any other physical contact, forced consumption of liquids or food, paddling or

whipping, and things like branding, cutting, labeling, or shaving parts of the body are all tactics

that are used (Allen)

Hazing has gotten a lot of attention lately in the news due to the multiple deaths that have

come from hazing situations throughout the greek life groups in colleges. Many people join these

greek life groups to expand their social circles and to make new friends. A “pledge” is a

nickname for the new, or potential members that are trying to become a member of the group

they are rushing. Being a pledge often means you have to “prove yourself” and show the

members of the group that you are worthy to be in their group. In many of the groups the pledges

have to complete tasks that often include overindulgence in alcohol. Colin Schlank was a

freshman in college at the University of Connecticut when he found himself in a bad situation

with hazing. He claims he was blindfolded and put into a back seat of a car while the driver

drove fast and shook the wheel. He said he felt confused when the leaders of the chapter were
Hazing in College Greek Life 13

“swearing in my face and treating me like an animal”(Andone, 2018, Para. 6). There are also

more cases where pledges do not survive the hazing. Maxwell Gruver that died of alcohol

poisoning after a hazing ritual. Florida State University suspended all their frats and sororities

after a pledge died due to hazing. Susan Burch is a girl that was rushing a sorority and she said

the hazing was the scariest moment of her life.

So after hearing these stories you might be thinking to yourself, “then why do these kids

want to be apart of these groups if they know they may get hazed brutally?” Andone (2018)

writes about how the pledges or new potential members go through the “hazing” to reach the

benefits that come with being a member. For example, a lot of times being a member in these

greek life groups comes with “prestige, a more active social life and a social network that could

help students later in life”(Andone, 2018, para 18). Most members say being apart of these

groups gives them a sense of belonging. One thing that classifies a situation to be considered

hazing is when any activity results in someone trying to prove themselves to the group. Pledges

or potential members force themselves to get through the bad during pledging season so that they

can enjoy being apart of the group once they are accepted into the group.

Section 4, Conclusion

This research will bring attention to the issue of hazing. Hazing often goes unnoticed until

someone loses their life. It is important to get a grip on this hazing issue before more people lose

their life.