<p>What goes on in a typical one? Hazing rituals can't be THAT bad, if that's why.</p>
<p>Hazing rituals CAN be that bad. There’s a reason why it’s illegal in most colleges. They’re embarrassing, dangerous, and simply ridiculous.</p>
<p>It’s because of all the drinking and partying that goes on, in addition to the hazing (which, having talked to some of my friends, gets pretty brutal). Plus, there’s a stereotype at many schools that a lot of frat guys (and sorority girls) just drink/party all the time and major in something “easy”, with communications and business being popular picks (by people who criticize them, I mean). I don’t drink at all and Greek life is absolutely not my thing, but I would say the connotation isn’t completely true. I know a handful of very honorable, hardworking guys and girls who participate in frats and sororities. Plus, a lot of the chapters raise money through fundraisers and do volunteering and stuff. It’s just that the partying scene, because it happens every weekend, delivers that negative connotation.</p>
<p>But yeah, as Hong214 said, the hazing, when it gets dangerous, is downright stupid. My friend, who lived across from me in my dorm, went through such brutal hazing during his hell week that he lost 10 pounds that week, had multiple bruises, and scraped up his knees badly (I think they made him walk on eggshells or something, but I’m not 100% sure). I think hazing that’s light, fun, and most important doesn’t hurt anyone, is perfectly fine. I know sports are different, but I think some good, lighthearted examples are things like rookie football players carrying the veterans’ shoulder pads or the bullpen in baseball making the rookie carry all the snacks and equipment in a pink princess bag or something, lol.</p>
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<p>Tell that to the people who have died during hazing rituals.</p>
<p>Whoa. OKAY then no frats for me lol</p>
<p>CC is generally anti-greek, FYI</p>
<p>Not all fraternities haze. In fact, it’s becoming an increasingly small % of them, as kids aren’t willing to participate and you can build brotherhood in less risky manners. I was involved in Greek life at a school where we have over 30 fraternities, and hazing was prevalent at less than 1/4 of them. Sure, pledges do have to sober drive, as well as work parties (bartend, DJ, door, etc.) and clean up after parties, as well as attend study tables and learn fraternity related things (motto, creed, alphabet, etc.), but most of the hardcore hazing (as previous posters would define it) is disappearing. </p>
<p>My advice would be to go through rush and find a chapter that YOU like and likes you in return. If at any point you feel uncomfortable with something that’s happening, you say no and be the change that group needs, or you drop pledgeship. Greek life is an amazing opportunity and the window to get involved is very small.</p>
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<p>Nonono, that’s not what I was implying! Hazing deaths are extremely rare. I just know that hazing can potentially be quite brutal, and I think people need to be careful when joining fraternities (or any group that hazes. It’s not just greeks.) Don’t let the few horrible cases deter you from joining a fraternity, but make sure it’s one that doesn’t haze (or doesn’t do any dangerous hazing.)</p>
<p>I personally think frats have a bad reputation because sometimes the members can be somewhat elitist and rude. Also, when they host parties, they act like they’re the most important things in the universe. Personally, the greek members I know all tend to be pretty laid back. It’s just that the a-holes tend to stand out, and that’s unfortunate.</p>
<p>Hazing in some fratenities ARE that bad. Take Dartmouth for example. A former student claims his frat initiations included getting teabagged by ALL the brothers, screwing a frozen turkey, drinking until you pass out/throw up, and swimming in a pool made up feces, urine, semen, and rotten food products. This is of course the exception. But to be the exception is to be the example and the stereotype.</p>
<p>Last year some bros went streaking (I believe, that’s what they were doing at least) at a different University and one fell off some incline, got paralyzed, and now is in a wheel chair. There was lawsuit and everything. </p>
<p>But the main thing that gives them a negative connotation with is the stereotypical bro mentality. Did I say stereotype? Just kidding… there are many down to earth people in frats, but the ones that stick out/ are most noticeable are the “bros.” As JeSuis said, it’s he a-holes that stand out.</p>
<p>I think a part of the reason is also because Greek Life simply appears to have a huge, almost overbearing social influence at some schools (Alabama is one big example).</p>
<p>Actually in 2010, a student injured his spine and is completely paralyzed from the waist down from hazing. The fraternity was placed on suspension while the incident was investigated. In 2004, another student jumped of the roof and died. This was the last of numerous hazing reports before the fraternity was expelled from the university and lost its charter. They were rechartered last year and starting from the ground up with a cloud over their head. So in short, hazing can get dangerous.</p>
<p>However, the Greeks on my campus still have higher than average GPAs, a ton of involvement on campus and in the community, and are highly regarded even though they can be stereotypical.</p>
<p>Okay. If I ever consider joining one, I guess I have to make sure that there are no CRAZY hazing rituals and that the majority of people are down-to-earth, nice, and fun, not the bro-types or slobby pigs (although I’m pretty sure I’ll find at least one). </p>
<p>btw that Dartmouth hazing ritual sounded gross…</p>
<p>Yes the hazing like mentioned… Since the infamous FAMU marching band incident, universities are beginning to REALLY crack down on hazing within their greek systems. The potential law suits, bad press, and overall mess that comes with a incident just isn’t worth it. I almost joined a frat but my major wouldn’t allow me the time (you not even allowed to hold an outside job while enrolled in it) to commit, but a few friends did. Some grunt style work during initiation times like having to drive at 3am a mile down the road to cook a early breakfast for the brothers, that like grunt work. So now its safer to join greek systems then ever. Those who partake in hazing get nailed eventually. A few years ago in the media, there was was a story about a frat that prided its self on ‘inner circle like trust’ mainly hoping that there pledges and brother would never expose the hazing that went on. When it came down to an investigation after the incident, nearly all rolled over when questioned by law enforcement.</p>
<p>The greek system at my school is quite friendly. The college enforce their anti-hazing very strictly and monitor the frats/sororities every week. The last time an injury happened in any greek houses was more than 16 months ago, the last time anyone died while in a frat/sorority was more than 11 years ago.</p>
<p>Generally, it’s the drinking/partying and the induction rituals that are seen as a negative thing…and the common thinking that only well-to-do folks join frats (or only hot girls for sororities, but it isn’t true)…BUT, don’t fret !!</p>