Hazing is such a serious topic but at times is taken so lightly. The dictionary defines hazing as any action to “subjection to harassment or ridicule.”
However some fraternity and sorority members will define hazing as something that brings themselves and their pledge brothers or sisters together, an act that continues tradition. Rarely does an inside member speak out about hazing. It takes something as horrible as a death of a Greek member for allegation of hazing to pour out.
It didn’t take a death for Andrew Lohse, a member of the Dartmouth chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, to speak out on his chapter’s hazing practices. It took him realizing that he had an alcohol problem for him to withdraw from Dartmouth. This is when his idea for an editorial formed.
Andrew Lohse outside of his fraternity's house at Dartmouth College. (Photo courtesy of The Rolling Stones magazine.)
Lohse detailed his accounts of hazing in an op-ed piece for Jan. 25 issue of The Dartmouth, the university’s student newspaper, much to the chagrin of his fraternity brothers. His story eventually got picked up by The Rolling Stones magazine and was featured in a six-page cover story, “Confessions of an Ivy League Frat Boy.”
Lohse alleged that he and his pledge brothers were forced to consume vomit and swim in fecal matters during their pledgeship at SAE. In his column, he suggested that the Greek system at Dartmouth be completely abolished.
At a college where more than 50 percent of its student body is involved with Greek life, his allegations did not bode well. Lohse was called a liar and a diagrace to the Greek community and to SAE. He was even compared to the stripper who falsely accused the Duke lacrosse team of rape.
Lohse’s column prompted an investigation into the Greek system at Dartmouth and 27 individuals at SAE were charged with hazing. These charges were all dropped on March 30th after Lohse declined to further work with investigators because he did not approve of “throwing 27 guys under the bus” because he felt that would be “a travesty of justice, when hundreds of people do this and will continue to do this with impunity.”
The ironic part of all of this is that Lohse may be the one who is ultimately charged with hazing and can be expelled from Dartmouth. Since he publicly admitted that he was part of the hazing cycle, Dartmouth can press charges on Lohse for being involved in hazing activities.
Though hazing is not tolerated here at Purdue, one can only imagine what effect Lohse’s situation would have on the Greek community. No one would dare to blow the whistle on their fraternity or sorority on hazing charges in fear that they would be the one convicted.
I can honestly say that I have never been a victim of hazing. I have never been pressured to drink or do things I am not comfortable with and I certainly have never forced another sister to do anything against her will.
However hazing is present at Purdue. Last year a fraternity was kicked off our campus due to hazing charges and other infractions.
The fact that hazing is still present is ridiculous to me. How can one foster fraternal bonds when forcing each other to perform inhumane acts?
Hazing is considered as a crime in 44 states. Although Purdue has a pretty extensive no-hazing policy, I believe it needs to add a whistleblower clause so that if a member of the Greek community suffers from hazing and come forth, they are protected from being charged.
Otherwise the vicious cycle of hazing will only continue until a drastic event occurs to bring the issue to light.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Please leave a comment.
About A Sorority Girl 