In wake of the conclusion of the University’s hazing investigation, the Greek community and the University are adjusting to the changes and implementing programs to prevent future hazing incidents.

Last Friday, the University released a report of its investigation into hazing allegations in the Greek community — an investigation that began early last semester. As a result of the investigation, the University was able to prove many of the hazing allegations but also failed to find substantial evidence for some accusations, such as “pledges being placed in the trunks of cars; pledges being stripped to their underwear and left in a cold room; non-consensual sexual behavior; the theft of a road sign as a pledge requirement; and incidents of paddling and beating.”

The three fraternities and one sorority found guilty of hazing received varying degrees of punishment from their national chapters, the most drastic handed out to Delta Sigma Phi, which had its charter revoked and is no longer a fraternity at the University.

The Office of Student Conflict Resolution, which has the power to punish individual students who violate the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, chose not to punish the individuals involved in the hazing, instead requiring the three chapters to collaborate with the University on the Community Education and Development model.

“The Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities is but one of (the) many educational tools we have on campus that teaches what it means to live in and contribute to a community,” OSCR Director Keith Elkin said.

“In this case, the Community Education and Development Plan provides the most optimal opportunity for teaching and learning, focusing on core University values.”

Elkin said the CED incorporates various goals for the improvement and development of leadership skills, new member education and risk management education and that national and alumni groups and numerous offices in the Division of Student Affairs are involved with each Greek organization.

“The Community Education and Development Plan represents a process grounded in teaching and learning, facilitated by a broad coalition of students and staff,” Elkin said. “Each organization has been working within this coalition to identify individual action plans that best meets their needs.”  

The new leadership of the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association, which took over at the beginning of the semester, has consistently reiterated its commitment to eliminating hazing in the Greek community but says it recognizes that hazing is a complex issue.

“Hazing is by no means a problem that is going to be solved overnight, nor do we know the exact formula that will cease hazing on campus,” said IFC Vice President of Public Relations Jon Krasnov. “Clearly, hazing has been a priority for previous administrations, as it has been significantly curbed in recent years, but we will continue to work … toward creating a more effective proactive approach toward ending hazing in Greek houses,” he said. “The IFC executive board has made it clear to houses that we are here to help them — to help lead the community (and) to help all of our houses move forward as individual chapters as well as a whole.”

Panhel spokeswoman Lindsey Fediuk said next year the Panhellenic Association will work to educate leaders of the Greek community on all forms of hazing as well as how to stop the practice of hazing prior to the recruitment of new members. In addition, there will be a new anti-hazing campaign intended to increase use of the hazing hotline in the fall.

“Harsher sanctions and punitive measures levied by the Greek Activities Review Panel we hope will further curtail hazing activities,” Fediuk added, “as well as discourage repeat offenses in the future.”

Fediuk and Krasnov also said that both IFC and Panhel welcomed the opportunity to work in conjunction with the University and the Office of Student Conflict Resolution in the effort to eradicate hazing at the University, although the Greek community’s Hazing Task Force and the Greek Activities Review Panel are intended to promote autonomy for the community through self-governance.

Alex Feldman, president of Sigma Nu — one of the fraternities found guilty of hazing by the University — said that the fraternity’s leadership has been meeting regularly with OSCR and other University personnel in a proactive attempt to strengthen the chapter and its relationship with the University.