A LOOK AT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES; SEMO GREEK LIFE THRIVES; HAZINGS `ISOLATED,' SAYS MEMBER

Shannon Rogers, 21, has been in a sorority for three years and she has never been hazed.

"I believe those were isolated," she said of two hazing occurrences in Southeast Missouri State University's Greek history.

Earlier this year, Christina Wooden was hazed after pledging Alpha Kappa Alpha. Four members have pleaded guilty to physically and mentally hazing her as an initiation into the sorority.

In the most tragic case of hazing at Southeast, Michael Davis was killed in 1994 as a result of being hazed while pledging Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Rogers, vice president of Greek recruitment and retainment, stressed that the incidents aren't everyday occurrences. She said her time in a sorority has been nothing but wonderful.

"It's done so much for me," she said. "I'm a completely different person.

"When I first got to college, I was scared to death. I was quiet. Now, I'm more outgoing, responsible. I don't think I would be who I am now had I not joined."

Jason LeGrand, 22, is the president of the Order of Omega, a national Greek honors society. He said the image the hazing incidents have created are not accurate images.

"The incidents happened," he said. "And what happened to Michael, that's sad. But those incidents are unique."

He said his time as a fraternity member has been "invaluable."

"It's a focal point for all aspects of college life," he said. "It's sort of a centerpiece for the whole college experience."

He said the two incidents constitute a "couple of bad apples that could spoil the whole batch."

He said all Greeks have "felt the waves" that the hazing incidents have caused.

"One or two incidents can and will be reflected in how Greeks are going to be viewed," he said.

LeGrand said people focus on the negative incidents while fraternities and sororities should be known for all the good they do.

He said there are 21 Greek organizations on the Southeast campus and each commits much of its time to community and campus service.

"That's most of what we do. But all the positive things that are going on are not as newsworthy so you don't hear about them as often," he said.

He said being a Greek is about possessing leadership skills, character and helping each other.

"It's all been positive," he said. "It's an environment you need to be in to mature and grow up."

LeGrand and Rogers said the hazing incidents haven't hurt Greek enrollment. Last year was a record-breaking year for Greek organizations, they said.

Art Wallhausen, assistant to the president at Southeast, said the university forbids hazing. Both Alpha Kappa Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi have been banned from campus forever.