KrN-Sight

Boiling water, pepper used in hazing, police say - CNN.com

It's my school, but I'm somewhat ambivalent about the issue.
I clearly don't like the idea of having my school labeled as the "hazing school"
(Ironically enough, my high school was deemed the "hazing school"
CNN.com - Initiation turned hazing investigated - May. 7, 2003
here's the video if you don't know what happened:
YouTube - CNN News Story on Glenbrook North Hazing
*I was in 8th grade at the time*)

Anyways back on subject...
Pike (Pi Kappa Alpha) is notorious for a lot of terrible things (date raping girls, using steroids / drugs, etc.) and to an extent I feel like it's righteous (I do feel horrible for the victims ofc)

Tulane suspended the frat (and most likely will no longer be affiliated with the university) and by the national chapter as well

Discuss.

burgler09

What is there to discuss?

KrN-Sight

...things you've seen / experienced in ur schools
Wut u think should be done (if anything at all) about frat / sorority initiations, events, etc.
What it's like to be in a frat if you're in one (since I was planning on rushing but made the decision not to)
If frats/sororities are getting labeled more so than they should be

There's plenty of things to discuss...

joeblow70

The funny thing is, I got a letter in the mail from a chapter of that frat at a particular uni, asking me to join and apply for a scholarship they give because I "exemplify the four pillars of Pi Kappa Alpha:

Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, and Gentlemen."

coloradocutie

Wow, it's hard to believe these sort of things still go on with all of the anti-hazing campaigns that exist these days.

I'm considering joining a sorority next year. Is there any way to distinguish who the hazing groups are before it's too late?

erhswimming

From what I heard, none of the sororities at my school did any real hazing. Maybe some of the stuff could have been borderline, but nothing that you should be worried about. I would be more worried about how accountable you have to be when pledging a sorority, such as learning all the history, creed, and other stuff you have to memorize for a test. And also all the time you have to spend.

Weskid

Maybe ask around the campus? People probably know which ones are known for terrible hazing.

I'm lucky enough to go to a school where Greeks are not very popular, and hazing is minimal. In my Greek, the idea of hurting a pledge is absolutely unheard of—it makes me sick and, IMO, completely destroys the kind of love and trust that we, at least, are trying to build. I mean, its fun and productive to do something to the pledges that makes them feel connected to each other and the rest of the membership, but that doesn’t have to hurt them! We use pledge pins, which every pledge is supposed to have on them…if they get caught without one, we ask them a pledge question. Really harmless, and even that is completely voluntary, some people just don’t bother wearing the pin and don’t answer the questions, and that’s ok with us. Most pledges really enjoy it (I know I did), because while it is annoying to always remember your pin, it means a lot of memebers are coming up at talking to you, and really makes you feel connected to the group. I don’t understand the mindset behind groups that practice hazing at all--if anyone had tried to hurt me, I would have ben out of there is a second!

Bigredmed

99% of sororities don't haze. They're very conscious about it, to the point of ridiculousness (in my opinion) like not having mandatory study hours for freshmen because the older sisters don't have to do it, so it must be considered "hazing".

Local sororities (those not affiliated with a National group) are much more likely to haze - if you remember the MTV show 'Sorority Life' they definitely chose locals for that reason.

For fraternities, it does tend to be a campus specific thing. There are lots of schools, even those with huge greek systems, in which hazing just doesn't happen. At other places, it's really bad. The fact that this is at Tulane, a southern school, doesn't surprise me, because as a region, the South is much more likely to haze. But it's not a universal thing and it's important to make that distinction that just because one chapter of an organization hazes, it absolutely 100% does not mean that all the chapters haze.

coloradocutie

Yeah, I guess I forgot to take into account that the media really magnifies the chapters who do haze and makes it seem more common than it actually is.

UcMichigan

Its easy to judge frat/soro just because all ppl generally hear about greek life is the hazing and the negative aspects. But it is true that these aspects do exist because it is the greeks who kinda promote it by partying and rushing

What i want to say is that dont disregard joining the greek life just because of some stories. Going greek for was one of the best decisions in my life, I improve socially and personally. Got better time-mangement skills and a group of brothers who are supportive and do anything for each other. Met people whom i would never have met if i was independent. Help me deal with uneasy situations in the future. Saw my confidence and positivity increased. And i dont regret it

I am admit i am biased since i am part of a frat. Wont name which one because that doesnt matter. Anyways, all i have to say is that i just hate how ppl just criticize the greek life just on the news or not knowing much bout it.

Going Greek is a personal decision. if you dont like it, then stop judging it and go on with your life. But the greek life do have positive aspects

What that chapter did was wrong. Its horrible and they should disband it. But to stereotype all Pikes as super-hazer or druggies is just wrong as well. Its just one chapter out of the hundreds of pike chapters.

Son of Opie

If fraternities were terrible, then people would stop joining and eventually the membership would dwindle to nothing. So it would seem the pros outweigh the cons.

burgler09

I don't see what the big problem with hazing is? Granted, the one in your article seems a bit extreme.. that is not usually what hazing is like in a fraternity.