Radford University Hazing

Once revered as tradition, hazing has quickly become a controversial topic as decades have passed--and the temporary wounds and bruised egos developed into permanent injuries and even death. Hazing, in it’s simplest form, is an initiation process that is conducted across a variety of social groups, but notably within fraternities and sororities. These acts generally involve some form of humiliation, abuse, or harassment which then allow the individual to join their community. Although focus on the victims and their families have taken precedent, universities and colleges have now been under scrutiny for not taking enough preventive measures in order to ensure safety for all parties involved, and furthermore, the poor decisions made after hazing

Within a month of his arrival to Radford University, however, he would be found dead in his home with a blood alcohol level of .48, six times the legal limit for driving in the state of Virginia. His fateful death would be discovered to be a result of hazing, specifically “excessive alcohol intake,” in order to gain access into the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity (Moxley). Unfortunately, circumstances such as these happen across college campuses in the United States yearly, but this was not always the case. Hazing is “any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers regardless of the person’s willingness to participate” (Holmes). This form of harassment takes place in a variety of social groups and communities, but has a prevalence within greek culture on college campuses. When fraternities first gained traction in the 18th century, they primarily sought to promote a level of scholarly and ethical conduct. Recently, however, fraternities have carried a mixed image, stemming from the outlandish reports of “hazing, alcohol abuse, and anti-intellectualism.” In an attempt to decriminalize the current state of fraternities, universities have contrasted this with their high graduation rate, widespread community service, and the member’s willingness to

In a nationwide study conducted by the University of Maine, 9/10 students who have experienced hazing in college did not consider themselves to be hazed. Additionally, ⅓ students reported that, while they themselves have not been hazed, they have witnessed hazing personally (Allan and Madden). The lack of education allows this behavior to continue because the students who are subjected to this initiation are not aware that this is not acceptable. Furthermore, if students who witness hazing view this not as an issue, but a “rite of passage,” they cannot prevent physical or psychological harm that may befall the victim. This extends to administration as well. In a study conducted nationwide by the University of Maine, 36% of students said that they would not report hazing primarily because “there’s no one to tell,” and 27% feel that adults wouldn’t handle the situation right. A staggering 95% of hazing victims admitted to never having reported the hazing done to them (Allan and Madden). It is crucial for policies to be implemented that teach students and administration how to deal with hazing, whether it is seen or heard. Recently, in the University of Arizona, a program was founded called “Step Up,” which encourages bystanders to become “active interveners.” Within this program, “the bystander effect” is analyzed, in which one person refusing to step in and solve a problem