On Tuesday September 15, 2015, a workshop was offered to any student interested in joining a sorority or fraternity. The topic of the workshop was hazing. Hazing is sadly a common practice in some organized groups. Hazing is anything that the new members must do that the rest of the members do not participate in, or if other members put pressure on new members to do any activity. Even if a new member willing agrees to do an activity, it is still hazing. Hazing is a common issue in sports teams and is a well-known problem with sororities and fraternities.

We learned about three different types of hazing and the effects of each type. It is rare in 2015 to see physical hazing, although other forms of hazing still exist. We also learned that hazing is not acceptable, even if was considered tradition in the group. Students were encouraged to report any problems they have with hazing to the Campus Police or Dean of Students. Any activities that a pledge class must complete should have a clear purpose of helping the members become closer or educated on the sorority/fraternity. Deaths have occurred when these rules were not followed. Students were informed that no alcohol should be present in the room of any pledge activities, regardless of the pledge’s age. This rule is made by the national sororities/fraternities. I personally believe that hazing education should be provided before high school because frequently sports teams or other activities haze freshman in high school. The meeting was highly informational. The presenter asked a lot of questions to keep the participants involved. He also shared his personal stories of hazing, which made the presentation much more relatable.