"Hazing is strictly prohibited," an anonymous female Greek member says.
"I do have to wear a pin or I get spanked, but the pledge class voted on that punishment."
It is unclear as to whether this is a "silly little ritual," as she describes it, or an example of hazing. The lines are easily blurred on a campus with over 40 Greek houses, countless student organizations and several known "underground" societies -- most easily capable of keeping initiation practices well under the radar of the University.
"You don't have to wear [the pin] during sports, sleep, showering or sex," the Greek member continued. "I don't really consider that hazing. ... I don't think it's harmful in any way."
The evidence
From Alpha Chi Omega pledges riding on scooters around campus to new members of Sigma Delta Tau pinning laminated construction paper hearts to their clothing, signs of the initiation process are readily apparent.
However, the question of what is and what is not considered hazing is wrought with confusion.
"I think that these situations aren't necessarily violating the [anti-hazing] policies," Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said, noting that no students were endangered by these activities.
"But that doesn't mean we don't address these issues," Reikofski continued, adding that AXO and SDT -- whose members would not comment on the situation -- have since ceased their potentially suspect activities.
Nonetheless, anecdotes of what students consider to be hazing incidents circulate across campus.
"I knew some kids who were forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol as an initiation into a fraternity, and one of them ended up in the hospital," Wharton sophomore Michael Moore said.
A College senior, who asked not to be named, also recounted her former roommate's experience.
"She would spend hours memorizing stuff and meet people at 7 in the morning," the College senior said.
Another Greek member reveals that punishment in his fraternity is more in the line of a guilt trip.
"If we don't do our assigned tasks, we do not get hazed," the fraternity member continued. "Instead, the person who fails will have the moral burden of knowing that he failed himself, his brothers and his fellow pledges."
In addition to assigning "practical" carpentry projects, his fraternity practices a pledging ritual of wearing suits on a specified day of the week.
"The suit thing is more of a tradition and a way of telling people I am proud to be a pledge of this fraternity," he said. "Nowadays -- it doesn't happen for us, but when it does -- the person who does not dress up is given a talk on how this act is considered rude, disrespectful and neglectful."
Hazing policies
Anti-hazing regulations stated in the University's policy handbook -- which mirror the Anti-Hazing Law of Pennsylvania -- explicitly forbid "recklessly or intentionally [endangering] the mental or physical health or safety of a student."
Hazing also includes the willful destruction or removal of "public or private property for the purpose of" affiliation with any organization under the jurisdiction of the University, according to the handbook, entitled The Pennbook.
However, according to Penn's anti-hazing regulations, even scavenger hunts can be considered hazing, making it difficult for students to draw the line between prohibited initiation rituals and humor or tradition.
Not just Greeks
While many students associate hazing with the Greek system, others point out that performing arts groups, honor societies, athletic teams and the military practice various forms of suspicious behavior.
"I have spoken with members of fraternities on Penn's campus who have told me that some of the hazing they have experienced as part of other organizations is far worse than anything they ever went through to join a fraternity," InterFraternity Council President Conor O'Callaghan said.
University administrators attribute the Greek system's notoriety to its large pool of participants and its high-profile status on Penn's campus.
"Partly because they're so visible, we've had more fraternities and sororities investigated than any other organization," Office of Student Conduct Director Michele Goldfarb said, nonetheless emphasizing that non-Greek organizations were also among those investigated. "Several years ago, we investigated an athletics team which shall remain unnamed."
With less strictly supervised student groups, however, it is more difficult to detect and determine whether hazing has occurred.
"We have a scavenger hunt around Philadelphia, and we also put on a private show ... making fun of the older members of the group," said a member of a Penn performing arts group, who asked to not be identified. "I just see it as a way to bond with the rest of the 'new men' ... I don't feel it's hazing because my safety isn't compromised."
Forms of humiliation such as those noted above can also constitute hazing, however.
Punishment
When students matriculate, they sign an agreement pledging adherence to University policies.
"All Penn students are bound by our Code of Student Conduct, which specifically addresses responsible behavior," Goldfarb said. "Responsible conduct involves respecting the health and safety of other students."
Infractions, according to Penn policy, are dealt with severely. When an organization is first suspected of hazing activities, OSC conducts an investigation into the issue.
If investigation results indicate that hazing has occurred, organizations may lose all previously University-conferred privileges and funding, in addition to being subject to OSC sanctions.
In the case of fraternities and sororities, the matter is resolved through OFSA.
"The number of [hazing] investigations has stayed fairly consistent over the years," Goldfarb said.
Other organizations adhere to different disciplinary processes.
The Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps "follows specific U.S. Navy guidelines, so theirs is a somewhat special case," Smith said.
In the event that hazing does occur in the NROTC, appropriate measures will be taken in accordance with the Naval regulations.
Nonetheless, when questioned further on precisely how the NROTC distinguishes between hazing and military training or disciplinary action -- which can be physically and mentally harsh in nature -- Lt. Jason Biegelson, NROTC sophomore class adviser, was not at liberty to answer.
Biegelson noted, however, that "in no way is any activity that we do done without a specific military training purpose in mind."
The Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs Office could not be reached for comment.
Prevention
The key weapons in the University's battle against hazing are education and communication.
"The more open, honest dialogue, the better off the community is," Goldfarb said. "We've had many conversations with individuals; I'd like to see this spread across the campus."
Office of the Vice Provost for University Life spokeswoman Leah Smith agreed.
"As a community, staff, faculty and students should feel comfortable raising concerns," Smith said. "Those issues and activities can then be addressed."
Although no official task force -- in the sense of the Alcohol and Other Drug Task Force -- has been established to coordinate anti-hazing efforts, more formalized communication and partnering exists between various departments and staff in the University.
"At certain times of the year when we have heightened concerns, we meet with [College] House deans to notify them to be more attentive," Goldfarb said.
University Police also receive relevant training.
"We have regular [meetings] with UPPD officers to talk about symptoms that may indicate hazing," in addition to other issues like alcohol, Reikofski said.
Students, however, remain the primary target for education efforts.
"I know that the fraternities and sororities get a significant amount of education" regarding anti-hazing regulations and preventative measures, Reikofski said, noting the comparably more intensive education programs within the Greek system.
Some other student groups -- like Penn's intercollegiate athletics teams -- also receive extra instruction in an effort to reduce the occurrence of hazing.
"While there is no written disciplinary action, each coach has been educated through the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs as to what constitutes hazing, and they would deal with each incidence as appropriate," Director of Athletic Communications Carla Zighelboim said.
The NROTC also has anti-hazing education programs in place.
All midshipmen in the NROTC Unit are required to attend an annual training session on hazing. Incoming freshmen are further required to arrive a week prior to New Student Orientation to participate in a series of trainings -- including "indoctrination training regarding the Navy's policy on hazing," according to Biegelson. These sessions are meant to be a supplement to the University's own anti-hazing program.
"The United States Naval Service does not tolerate hazing," Biegelson said. "Anything that intrudes on the personal respect of a person is hazing."
Longing to belong
Despite the University's efforts to curb harmful initiation practices, incidents of hazing-like activities persist.
OFSA Associate Director Lea Shafer noted, "There's been instances when we've worked with [performing arts groups] to address anything we see that is 'silly.'"
According to Reikofski, whenever administrative staff notice possible hazing behavior, the student organization responsible is told, "'This doesn't look well for your organization. ... No, it's not in violation, but why are you doing that?'"
These questions are important because such situations "may or may not be symptomatic of something larger," Smith said.
Perhaps students' willingness to engage in hazing behavior stems from their fundamental desire to fit in and belong.
"Students seeking to become members are willing to do things they otherwise wouldn't," Goldfarb said, emphasizing that certain activities could be considered hazing regardless of a student's compliance.
"There's an obvious need for bonding, loyalty," Goldfarb continued. "Hazing is a misguided attempt to foster these."
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