|
A fraternity/sorority member, who believes in true brotherhood/sisterhood and
the ideals embraced by his/her fraternity/sorority ritual, could not possibly
haze a pledge/associate member or brother/sister. Every national
fraternity/sorority represented by a chapter on the Texas A&M University campus
has denounced and forbad hazing. The State of Texas has enacted legislation
which makes hazing a criminal offense. Texas A&M University community and
Department of Greek Life staff is unconditionally opposed to any situation created to
produce mental and/or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or
ridicule.
As such, Aggie Greeks are expected to uphold the
principles and ideals of their fraternity rituals, respect federal, state, and
local laws and abide by Texas A&M University Student Rules regarding
participation in hazing activities. Aggie fraternity and sorority members are
also expected to immediately report any such activity of which you become aware
to your advisor, the University Police, Greek Life Department or Offices of the Dean
of Student Life (anonymously, if necessary) . Your failure to report an act of
hazing is in effect giving tacit approval of an activity that is not in line
with your fraternity ideals and values nor that of the Aggie Code of Honor.
24.3.3 Hazing. Prohibited acts committed for the purpose of
initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for
continued membership in a group or organization; or as part of any activity
of a recognized student organization, student group, Corps of Cadets, Corps
outfit, Corps unit, or Corps Special Activities. Prohibited behavior
includes any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a
student, or that destroys or removes public or private property; and/or
assisting, directing, or in any way causing others to participate in
degrading behavior and/or behavior that causes ridicule, humiliation, or
embarrassment; and/or engaging in conduct which tends to bring the
reputation of the organization, group, or university into disrepute.
Previously relied upon “traditions,” (including Corps, fraternity/sorority,
or any other group or organization activity, practice or tradition) intent
of such acts, or coercion by current or former student leaders of such
groups, or former students will not suffice as a justifiable reason for
participation in such acts. It is not a defense that the person (or group)
against whom the hazing was directed consented to, or acquiesced to, the
behavior in question.
Examples of such behavior include but are not limited to:
- Misuse of authority by virtue of one’s class rank or
leadership position
- Striking another student by hand or with any instrument
- Any form of physical bondage of a student
- Taking of a student to an outlying area and dropping
him/her off
- Forcing a student into a violation of the law or a
university rule such as indecent
exposure, trespassing, violation of visitation, etc.
- Any form of "quadding"
- Having firsthand knowledge of the planning of such activities
or firsthand knowledge that an incident of this type has occurred and failing to
report it to appropriate university officials is also a violation under this
section. (See Appendix VI, Hazing).
Students who are recipients and/or victims of hazing (and who have not
perpetrated hazing behavior on others involved in the fact pattern for which
they are reporting) and who report the activities to the Dean of Student
Life and/or the University Police Department, will not be charged with a
violation of the hazing rule.
The hazing rule is not intended to prohibit the following conduct:
- Customary public athletic events, contests, or competitions that
are sponsored by the university or the organized and supervised
practices associated with such events; or
- Any activity or conduct that furthers the goals of a legitimate
educational curriculum, a legitimate extracurricular program or a
legitimate military training program as defined and approved by the
university.
Hazing is also a violation of Texas state law. See the Texas
Education Code, sections 37.151 and 51.936 and/or
Appendix VI of the
Student Rules.
Hazing has also been defined by a number of inter/national fraternities and
sororities as any action taken or situation created (on or off university
premises), to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment
or ridicule. (see FIPG, Inc. Policies or that of
your inter/national organization)
Some examples of behavior or activities that may meet the definition
of hazing include (but may not be limited to):
- Paddling in any form, pushing, hitting, or
physical threats;
- Creation of excessive fatigue, or forced or
coerced participation in calisthenics;
- Physical or psychological shocks;
- Quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road
trips or any such activities carried on outside the confines of the
university and not directly related to the purposes of the fraternity;
- Wearing publicly, apparel which is conspicuous
and not normally in good taste, or requiring shaved hair;
- Public nudity;
- Engaging in public stunts or buffoonery;
- Morally degrading or humiliating games and
activities;
- Late work sessions or activities that
interfere with scholastic activities, including exhausting and time
consuming projects that are disruptive to normal study patterns;
- Tasks of personal servitude;
- Physical disfigurements (temporary or
permanent) including tattooing or branding (simulated or actual);
- Deprivation of normal sleep (less than six
uninterrupted hours per night);
- Memorization of information not directly
related to the fraternity/sorority;
- Forced, required, or coerced consumption of
any food, liquid, or other substance;
- Any dangerous activity including, but not
limited to, long swims, jumps from high places, binding, and blindfolding
(except as may be required during the national ritual);
- Requiring the carrying of objects such as
bricks, buckets, or large wooden objects;
- Required participation in public acts, skits,
or songs, for the purpose of humiliation or embarrassment;
- Any activity considered morally offensive by
an individual participating;
- Intentionally creating clean-up work;
- Confining participants to rooms or areas that
are uncomfortable due to temperature, noise, size, or air quality for the
purpose of harassment;
- Any activity without constructive aspect or
reasonable purpose, including but not limited to “line-ups,” “rat
courts,” mock trials, interrogations, yelling of obscenities, or votes of
continuance not consistent with the national constitution of, or sanctioned
by the national fraternity or sorority;
- Any other activity which is not consistent
with fraternal law, ritual, or policy and/or Texas A&M University
Student Rules.
How Can You Tell If It Is Hazing
If you have to ask if it’s hazing, it probably is. Here are some things to
think about, and to help you determine if the activity is hazing.
- Is this in line with your organization’s
mission and values?
- Is alcohol involved? Are any state, local laws
or University Rules being violated?
- Will active/current members of the group
refuse to participate with the new members and do exactly what they're being
asked to do?
- Does the activity risk emotional or physical
abuse?
- Is there risk of injury or a question of
safety?
- Do you have any reservation describing the
activity to your parents, to a professor,
University official, or the media?
- Must New Members carry specific items with
them at all times?
- Must New Members remain silent for a certain
time period, or are they
denied contact with friends and family?
According to TX state law, an individual can not consent to being hazed!
SECTION 2. Chapter 4, Education Code SUBCHAPTER B. HAZING Sec 4.54.
"CONSENT NOT A DEFENSE.
It is not a defense to prosecution of an offense under this subchapter that
the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in
the hazing activity."
What should you do if you are being hazed...
Refuse to participate in the activity, leave if necessary, and report the
activity to your advisor or another University official.
If you or anyone is in immediate danger, call 911.
For more information about hazing or to report an act that may
meet the criteria listed above contact:
- Office of the Dean of Student Life,
112 Koldus Building, (979) 845-3111,
studentlife@tamu.edu
- Department of Greek Life,
Memorial Student Center (MSC) 245, (979) 862-5636, greeklife@tamu.edu
- Student Conflict Resolution Services,
Student Life Services Building (on The Grove), (979) 847-7272,
scrs@tamu.edu
- University Police Department,
Cain Hall, (979) 845-2345, upd@tamu.edu
|
