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Experts On Hazing Say Incidents Have Reached Epidemic Levels

Lauryn Higgins

Monday, September 18 was the first day of National Hazing Prevention Week and experts are warning that the dangerous practice has reached epidemic levels. 

According to HazingPrevention.org, “Hazing affects more than half of college and university students involved in clubs, sports teams and organizations,” placing virtually every active college student at risk. 

Hazing, a term used to describe strenuous or humiliating acts forced upon individuals for purposes of initiation or involvement into a group, is cited as a common college experience in line with the “Freshmen 15.” However, the side effects are far more harrowing and long-lasting. 

For many college students looking to rush a sorority or fraternity, hazing is merely a right of passage and something one most endure to land a coveted spot amongst their fellow peers, however hazing has reportedly reached new levels. A study conducted by the University of Maine found that, “Students recognize hazing as part of the campus culture. 69 [percent] of students who belonged to a student activity reported they were aware of hazing  activities occurring in student organizations other than their own.” 

However, for some students hazing is a death sentence. Most recently Penn State student and Beta Theta Pi brother, Timothy Piazza died in early February when he sustained head injuries from a head-first fall down a flight of stairs that was later revealed to be caused from consuming, “toxic levels of alcohol” during hazing activities.Even more disturbing was his fellow brothers actions of refusing to call 911 and deleting text messages and, “Debating whether to scrub security footage that showed the moments leading up to his grievous injuries,” The Washington Post reports.  

In the wake of his death, Piazza’s parents Jim and Evelyn led a forum on the Today show Tuesday morning, that aimed to openly and diligently discuss why hazing occurs and what students, universities and politicians can do to prevent and hold others accountable.

Dr. Gentry McCreary joined the forum and noted that many students still haze and participate in hazing because, “They want people to earn” acceptance and access to whatever in-group position they’re vying for. Mcreary added that while some groups haze altruistically, there is often abuse of power.”

This abuse of power often times can spiral out of control and what goes on behind closed doors is often never reported or ever known until it is too late. The same study conducted by the University of Maine found that, “In 95 [percent] of the cases where students identified their experience as hazing,  they did not report the events to campus officials.” This ultimately posses an incredible challenge for college campuses and campus security, because without evidence, hazing will continue.

However, students entering college are adults and should be held accountable for their actions and colleges must first acknowledge that. In 2013 officials at Ohio State University suspended the Delta Sigma Theta sorority until the fall of 2016 for alleged hazing incidents and the university came under even more fire when OSU suspended or disciplined 10 fraternities for hazing, and six other sororities for similar offenses. 

In an effort to bring more awareness to the issue, NBC News and MSNBC are hosting a week-long broadcast and digital special series this week titled, “Hazing in America,” that will shed light on the issue and allow victims of hazing, their families and lawmakers to provide their input and take on this national epidemic. 

This is not an issue that will go away over night, but it is one that starts with the students inside the Greek life houses, locker rooms and clubs that condone such behavior and continue to be bystanders.

For more information on how you can help prevent hazing on your college campus you can visit StopHazing.org for more information. 

Lauryn is a 2014 graduate of Mars Hill University where she majored in Business with a concentration in marketing and finance. While in college Lauryn was the Founder and Editor of Her Campus Mars Hill. She is currently a candidate for her Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She lives for a good plot twist, a great cup of coffee and new running shoes.