Hazing, verb; an act of bullying by an individual or organization towards another person, oftentimes as means of “orienting” them to a group or forcing them to “prove themselves”, can be verbally or physically abusive.
Hazing is bullying, and on extreme levels, abuse. The most common association to hazing is college fraternities and sororities, known as Greek Life. These organizations can provide a like-minded group of individuals brought together by a common cause. These unions can turn sour, however, if they use their power to bully other individuals. Hazing is a National Issue, plaguing college campuses near and far.
This week I asked UW-La Crosse students how they felt about Greek Life and hazing on campus.
Junior Danielle Weber said, “I haven’t really noticed much hazing here. I have friends who are in a fraternity on campus and they seem much more concerned about fundraising and service work…They have their ‘fraternity secrets’, but they all seem really friendly.”
Senior Connor Glassen reflected, “I don’t know anyone who has had any hazing…I know kids die from it, though, so it’s a serious thing.”
Glassen’s correct, hazing is a serious act, and there are gruesome accounts of it nationwide. Recently the Chi Phi fraternity at UW-Madison has been under scrutiny for a hazing  incident. The specifics of hazing incidents vary, but range from public humiliation, binge drinking alcohol, being force fed animal feces, being made to clean up vile liquids, and being physically abused. Regardless of the situation, the severity varies, and can lead to hospitalizations and even death.
I talked with the UW-L President of Chi Phi, Eric Pannier. He explained that he was aware with the Chi Phi hazing incident at UW-Madison. In response, Pannier stated, “All I would say is that that’s not what we are about, we never have been, as an entire Greek Life. Through fraternities and sororities, that has never been our goal…We are about building friendships and brotherhoods and sisterhoods through all of Greek Life. There is no reason for that, no need for that, why would you hurt your best friend?”
I am proud to say, that of all of the students I talked with on campus, none knew of any hazing that had occurred through Greek Life at UW-L. I think as a whole, the student population at here is friendly, kind, and level-headed. I think that what many hazing incidents boil down to is a lack of respect for other individuals. To solve this issue? Be kind. Greek Life provides an amazing opportunity to get involved in the community and make lasting friendships. I don’t mean all of Greek Life should be best friends, but I do think that applying the fundamentals of human respect will go far, and allow the organizations and people to reach their full potential.