Taking the pledges at SEMO

As Southeast Missouri State University sororities and fraternities wrap up their recruitment weeks and look forward to signing new members, school officials will try to prevent a repeat of last semester, when three members of Zeta Phi Beta sorority were convicted of third-degree assault and hazing.

The three women pleaded guilty to the charges after university officials learned they had sprayed liquid on a student and forced her to eat garbage.

School officials say the university takes a strong stance against hazing and that allegations are met with swift action.

"Whenever we get an inkling, we investigate. We leave no stone unturned until we find out the truth," said Gary Wendt, Greek life coordinator.

The zero-tolerance policies have always been practiced at Southeast, yet the university still has had to deal with hazing incidents. Beginning with Michael Davis' death in 1994, Southeast has had five serious incidents involving hazing.

Students who decide to pledge one of Southeast's 19 Greek organizations are introduced to the university's zero-tolerance approach to hazing by way of a seminar explaining what constitutes hazing and what recourses they have if they experience such treatment, said Michelle Irby, director of Campus Life.

The Southeast code of student conduct defines hazing as "any intentional, knowing or reckless act, whether on or off campus, which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of any person, regardless of consent, or which violates public law or University policy." The code identifies such activities, which are outlined by state law as well as university policy, as:

• Any physical brutality.
• Activities that adversely affect mental health or physical safety such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement or calisthenics.
• Forced consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, drug or substance that subjects a student to risk.
• Any activities that threaten a student with ostracism, subjects a student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation, or adversely affects the mental health or dignity of a student, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization.

Most of the activities involved in initiation are ceremonial in nature, Wendt said.

Though pledge initiations vary between organizations, most include something akin to an eight-week study session, in which potential members must memorize history and alumni information about their fraternity or sorority, said Bruce Skinner, faculty adviser for Delta Chi.

Students participating in all campus organizations are required to sign an anti-hazing statement saying they agree to comply with the university's hazing policies, Irby said.

Many national chapters of Southeast fraternities also have established 24-hour hazing hotlines to assist with hazing allegations, Skinner said.

When a student comes forward to report a hazing incident, the Department of Public Safety launches an investigation, assisted by the Office of Judicial Affairs and Campus Life personnel, bringing in any potential witnesses and the accused for questioning immediately, said Randy Carter, coordinator of judicial affairs.

If the accusations are thought to be genuine, then a judicial conference is held to discuss the charges and usually results in a hearing, Carter said.

Throughout the judicial process, the Greek organization's faculty adviser acts as a liaison between the members and the university, and the national chapter if deemed necessary, Skinner said.

The severity of the hazing would determine the punishment. For example, actual violence, as opposed to just being required to curry favor with upper classman in exchange for signatures, would result in greater consequences, Carter said.

"Suspension from the university is always a possibility with an act of hazing," he said.

The problem of hazing is something the university has struggled with in the past, and has thus far been unable to find a proper solution, Skinner said.

"In some members' eyes, you have to prove yourself by overcoming what they're going to put you through," Skinner said.

A tremendous amount of hazing problems develop in high school, not college, according to Dr. Susan Lipkins, a psychologist based in New York who specializes in campus conflicts.

In what Lipkins calls the "blueprint of hazing," usually the victim begins initiation thinking hazing won't happen to them, she said.

The victim eventually becomes the perpetrator because the process instills a sense of duty and privilege, and the severity of the hazing usually increases with each cycle, Lipkins said.

An instant code of silence goes along with hazing, because many students believe the secrecy fuses their bond and because they might fear retribution, Lipkins said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

Southeast Missouri State University sorority recruits made their way between six sorority parties Wednesday at the University Center. (Kit Doyle)

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