2008 Woodie Awards
RSS You are in a fraternity or a sorority. You gained entry into your super-exclusive brother/sisterhood and now know all the "secrets" that function to perpetuate a sense of commonality amongst all chapters of your organization.
What right does Freshman X have to join your sacred group? How has a high school graduate earned his right to your parties, your events and your friendship?
Surely he must first prove himself.
With our frontal cortexes still developing and cognitive dissonance plaguing our every action, it is easy to see how college students can see excessive drinking as a test of worthiness or as a necessary bonding experience.
After all, what Lehigh party is complete without some sort of competitive form of drinking alcohol?
As a brother of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, I would like to offer some alternatives to this ridiculousness that often ends in near-tragedy.
First, adopt a strict non-hazing policy and make it known to all of your pledges and brothers on the first day of pledging. We go so far as to give the pledges an 800 number to call if they feel they are being unfairly treated as pledges.
Use that Lehigh-grade creativity to come up with some intellectually and physically challenging events rather than illegal and dangerous ones.
Have the pledges work together to complete a 10,000 piece puzzle, take them on a long hike, have them write a song or two or 10. Challenge their memory, their stamina and their creativity - not their livers, hearts and kidneys.
The level of respect and maturity in your house will benefit greatly.
Your house's beer-chugging skills may sharply decline, Beirut performance may falter and your pledges won't get those trendy St. Luke's hospital bracelets to sport around campus, but these are sacrifices that have to be made.
Letters: A creative alternative to hazing
By Andy Spiro, '10
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Opinion
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
D. Lewis
posted 3/28/08 @ 2:23 PM EST
This letter is 100 % on target correct.
He accurately spells out the future of the Lehigh Greek system.
Letters like this are usually signed anonymous. (Continued…)
M. Luber
posted 3/28/08 @ 5:14 PM EST
The student who wrote this letter is obviously knowledgeable about the Greek system at Lehigh. His ideas are well thought out and he has a lot of great alternatives for a good time. (Continued…)
Lehigh Affiliated Greek
posted 3/31/08 @ 5:32 PM EST
Just reiterating...everything he mentions in his letter is hazing according to Lehigh. Maybe that is why AEPi isn't recognized by the school...
use your brain
posted 4/01/08 @ 10:30 PM EST
i believe the distinction is that one form of "hazing" is harmless, even productive, and would never create a reason to involve the police or school authorities. (Continued…)
Know the Facts
posted 4/02/08 @ 9:12 AM EST
While this form of hazing may not be physically harmful, it can be mentally harmful to some students. The second a fraternity or sorority goes to Greek Affairs and says, "they made us do 10,000 piece puzzle all afternoon" the red flags are raised and the chapter is under investigation. (Continued…)
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