Last week University of Maryland police began investigating Delta Tau Delta fraternity because of alleged hazing incidents, the Maryland University newspaper, The Diamondback, reported.
The investigation began after a document that detailed a six-week hazing program surfaced according to the Diamondback article. The hazing program included forced consumption of alcohol, forced consumption of a vomit inducing liquid, forced exercise and multiple days in a closet known as the “cave.”
The police and Delta Tau Delta declined to comment. However, Delta Tau Delta revoked the local charter and the university disbanded the fraternity.
Despite anti-hazing efforts in recent years, hazing is still a problem at many universities. Even MU has issues with hazing.
In 2002 the fraternity Sigma Chi was suspended for four years for violating MU’s anti-hazing policy. An investigation revealed that pledges sat for as long as two hours with a pillow case over their heads while members shouted abuse, drank spit from a tobacco spitoon and had ammonia poured over their heads, among other things, reported a 2002 article from the Missourian.
In 2006 the Sigma Chi was reinstated at MU.
In 2004 Sigma Phi Epsilon was also punished by MU for hazing, although they were not suspended. In response to being reprimanded, Sigma Phi Epsilon eliminated “pledging.” Pledging is the period of initiation that sometimes includes hazing. The fraternity also instuted the Balenced Man program that is meant to promote growth and development among members.
Hazing doesn’t happen in all fraternities but it happens in enough for it to be a problem. So, the question I have is: Why does hazing persist? Some people say that it’s tradition and all members have had to go through it. But is that really a good reason continue abusive and harmful behavior.
I don’t belong to a fraternity, but I am under the impression that fraternities are about brotherhood and building bonds and connections with others. It seems like young men should not have to be pysically and mentally abused or degraded to be apart of that bonding. There must be healthier way to accomplish this.
Besides that, hazing incidents and the secrecy that often surround them do not help stereotypes of the greek system.
Universities and fraternities’ national headquarters need to work harder to prevent hazing and the problems that come along with it. There are measures in place but clearly they’re not always effective.
