This week on campus, Wright State’s Greek life is hosting Anti-Hazing Week. Monday through Wednesday they have planned events raising awareness and promoting the fact that Wright State’s Greek life never hazes.
On Tuesday, October 16, from 11:30 to 12:30 on the quad, there was an Awareness Walk for the issue.
On Wednesday, October 17, there will be a presentation about actual hazing problems and how to avoid them. The presentation will take place at 7 p.m. in 340 Oelman.
Thursday, October 18, a judge will come to preside over a mock trial where students will act out the parts. The mock trial will begin at 6 p.m. in 120 Med Sci.
For many years, Greek life across the nation had a reputation for hazing rituals. Now, students like those in WSU’s Greek life are trying to set the record straight.
State and federal laws prohibit hazing by registered student organizations, saying that all member orientation and initiation activities are expected to be “unquestionable in their purpose and intention,” and that those activities should support the attainment of all the purposes stated in the organization’s constitution. Since WSU’s Greeks don’t participate in or tolerate hazing, that means they never participate in actions or situations intentionally created to cause embarrassment, harassment, ridicule, or mental or physical distress.
All registered student organizations at WSU must turn in an official “Anti-Hazing Agreement” at the beginning of each academic year and right after any presidency changes. The policy that the organizations agree to outlines Wright State’s response to hazing. If any individual or organization is suspected of tolerating or authorizing a hazing incident, the matter will be investigated by the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct or the appropriate University department. After that, there could be a formal disciplinary hearing as stated in the Code of Student Conduct. For more information, check out Wright State’s entire Anti-Hazing policy at www.wright.edu/student-handbook.
“When I came down to WSU and I decided to join a fraternity, I knew that they had an anti-hazing policy. I didn’t know if there would be ‘behind-the-scenes’ hazing,” says freshman Peyton Jones, a new member of Phi Sigma Phi. “Knowing that WSU’s fraternities have a really strict anti-hazing policy is really reassuring because you don’t have to worry about going through physical harm or ridicule for your brothers to like you, and it provides a safe place to experience and grow in the brotherhood.”
