Hazing Not Limited to Greeks

Tim Burke, Manley Burke, tburke@manleyburke.com

The firing of the Ohio State University Band Director, praised by the U.S. Department of Education as it concluded a 4-year review of OSU’s sexual discrimination policies, highlights the fact that hazing is not limited to fraternities and sororities or to marching bands at historically African-American colleges.  Indeed, in an article posted on the Chronicle of Higher Education website on July 29, 2014, Elizabeth J. Allen, Associate Professor of Higher Education Leadership at the University of Maine at Orono, who is also the Director of the National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention is quoted:

“Since our national study in 2008, we continue to find that hazing is more pervasive than what stereotypes suggest.  We know that students who participate in a range of organizations have experienced, even though they don’t necessarily identify it as hazing.  High percentages of students involved in performing-arts groups, including marching bands and A Cappella groups have been hazed.  We also see hazing among intramural teams, outing clubs and even prestigious honors societies at various campuses.”

While National Greek organizations collectively are united in efforts to prohibit hazing it is clear that halting hazing in fraternities and sororities is but part of the solution.  Greek groups must continue their efforts but others must join in as well.