Hazing:It’s Not an Option

Molly BechtelCoordinator of Fraternity & Sorority Life and Women’s Programs

Office of Student Lifembechtel2@ucmerced.edu

Goals for Today’s Presentation

• Define “hazing.”• Explore hazing myths and understand the

facts.• Understand the relationship between hazing

and consent.• Identify ways to prevent hazing and take

action.

Basic Goals of an Education Program

• New/Prospective members get to know the other prospective members

• New/Prospective members get to know the initiated members

• New/Prospective members get to know how the chapter operates

• New/Prospective members get to know how to navigate the campus

Non-Goals of an Education Program

• To “mold” prospective members• To make them “ready”• To “earn” brotherhood/sisterhood• To have janitors• To have telephone receptionists• To “build better” new/prospective

members• To know their stuff

Hazing, Defined by the UC“Participation in hazing or any method of

initiation or pre-initiation into a campus organization or other activity engaged in by the organization or members of

the organization at any time that causes, or is likely to cause, physical

injury or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in psychological harm

to any student or other person.”

(UC Student Code of Conduct, 102.12)

Hazing, Defined by the State of CA“‘Hazing’ or ‘haze’ is conduct which

causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to another

person in the course of the other person’s pre-initiation into, initiation

into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any

organization.”

(California Penal Code, Section 245.6)

Ask Yourself…• Would you conduct this activity if your parents

and/or members of the inter/national board were present?

• Will any member of the group refuse to participate?

• Is the purpose to exclude or punish?• Will the activity involve emotional or physical

abuse?• Does this activity violate any value statement set

forth by the organization?• Would you openly invite the media to attend this

event, take photos and film your event for the evening news?

Is It OK To…?Is It OK To…?

Require new/prospective members to carry $5.00 with them at all

times.

Mislead new/prospective members about ceremonies or ritual with the

excuse that it will be a surprise.

Ask new/prospective members to recite the names and hometowns

of other members.

Require new/prospective members to keep the fact that they are pledging or participating in a

new/prospective member education process a secret.

Wake up new/prospective members in the middle of the night and ask them to go on a milkshake

run.

Not allow new/prospective members to wear the

organization’s colors or insignia before initiation.

Organize a scavenger hunt to lead new/prospective members to a fun

party in their honor.

Kidnap new/prospective members and take them to an amusement

park for the day.

Keep the date of Initiation secret.

Physically, verbally or sexually harass someone.

The answer to all these questions is…

NO.

Hazing MythsHazing Myths

Myth #1

Everyone does it.

Myth #2

Hazing is just good, clean fun – nobody

suffers from it.

Myth #3

As long as there's no harmful intent, a

little hazing should be okay.

Myth #4

Hazing motivates members, shows

them how valuable their membership is and teaches respect.

Examples of Hazing• Blindfolding for any purpose.• Creation of excessive fatigue or hunger.• Physical or psychological shocks.• Treasure hunts.• Scavenger hunts.• Kidnaps of any kind.• Wearing apparel which is conspicuous and not in

normally good taste.• Engaging in stunts.• Degrading or humiliating games and activities.• Late work sessions.

Hazing & Consent• “If you don’t want to do this, you can leave.”• “We wanted to do it and they weren’t forcing us,

so it wasn’t hazing.”

The fact that an activity is done with the consent of the persons involved does NOT

exempt it from being hazing.

There is no gray zone in hazing. Hazing is an action, not a degree of

action.

What YOU can do to Prevent Hazing

• Speak out against it.• Talk about it with your advisers and/or

inter/national board if you need guidance or help.

• Report hazing violations to your college or university’s administrative officers.

• Simply refuse to be a part of it…don’t haze or be hazed.

Resources & Contacts

• Office of Student Life & Student Judicial Affairsstudentlife@ucmerced.edu209-228-5433 (209-CAT-LIFE)

• UC Merced Police Departmentpolice@ucmerced.edu209-228-2677 (209-CAT-COPS)

• Anti-Hazing Hotline888-688-4293 (888-NOT-HAZE)

Questions?