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Printer-Friendly ModeStudents, staff fight hazing
October 1, 2007 —
In an attempt to increase student awareness of the dangers of hazing, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Student Life, and SVSU Athletics sponsored various activities from September 23 to 25. The dates correlated with National Hazing Prevention Week which lasted from September 24 to 28.
Jennifer Jackson, president of NPHC, says that although many associate hazing directly with Greek Life the reality is that it can and does have an affect on any number of students in any number of organizations.
"Hazing is not just something that happens in fraternities and sororities," Jackson said. "In happens in other organizations and athletics as well."
The hope of those sponsoring the activities was to inform all students of the dangers of hazing.
Activities started last Sunday with speaker Rick Barnes. Barnes serves on the Board of Directors for the North-American Interfraternity Conference and is also the former president of the Association for Fraternity Advisers and the AFA Foundation. He gave a lecture in the Malcolm Field Theatre titled "Hazing: When Will It End?" There were approximately 260 people in attendance.
Monday's activities involved students on a more personal level. Students met in the Alumni Lounge for round table discussion and a viewing on the documentary Unless Death Occurs: Hazing Examined.
The meeting was opened by NHPC Vice President Tacarra Ford. Students were asked a variety of question about their opinions of hazing.
Most students felt that hazing activities without a purpose are wrong. However, the concern about people needing to prove they have commitment and respect for the organization were also addressed.
Students were then asked to watch the documentary which addressed the concept of hazing on both high school and college campuses. The film outlines the story of a Plattsburgh State University freshman, Walter Dean Jennings, who was killed during a fraternity rush. Jennings was subjected to water torture, where he was forced to consume large amounts of alcohol and then drink large amounts of water to throw it back up.
The documentary included interviews not only of professional experts and authors, but also of those involved in Jennings death.
One of the boys interviewed summed up the message of the documentary into a single statement for the viewers, saying, "Hazing ruined our lives."
After the documentary, students again discussed their feelings on hazing and possible solutions to the problem. Most agreed that education is the first step.
On Tuesday, students put this first step into action. Students at tables located outside of the RFoC and Zahnow Library passed out "Hazing Hurts" pins and information on hazing to students. The information sheets outlined myths about hazing and SVSU's hazing policy, which explicitly forbids hazing.
