2008 Woodie Awards
Task Force Changes DPU Hazing Policy
By: Kali Geldis
Issue date: 8/18/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
A new hazing policy that extends to all organizations, teams and greek chapters has been approved by the University and will be in effect this year.
A product of the Hazing Task Force, the new policy defines hazing in more general terminology, stating hazing is "any action or experience expected of new or current members of a student organization or team, regardless of their willingness to participate, that humiliates or degrades them, or risks emotional or physical harm."
Tom Hansen, co-chair of the Hazing Task Force, said the old policy was extremely intricate and difficult to understand, something the task force saw as a problem.
"Hazing is looked at as a greek thing, but it involves all organizations," Hansen said.
A new initiative to end hazing through "group-building alternatives" is another product of the Hazing Task Force's work this year. The program, called Fresh Start, allows members of organizations or teams to confidentially disclose any activities that could be considered hazing without facing disciplinary action from the Community Standards Office. Fresh Start, Hansen said, is contingent upon the organization's implementation of a new program of team-building activities that would be constructed with help from the University.
"We want to change the whole thing, we want to help you take that step forward," Hansen said.
Part of the task force's research into other universities' hazing policies revealed a new idea that will be adapted and implemented at DePauw, Hansen said. He cited Cornell University's hazing policy, which creates an online public record of all hazing offenses on the University's Web site.
"If there is a hazing situation we'll put the information about what the incident of hazing is and the consequences for the organization ... on the University's hazing Web site. One thing the students wanted, and I think this is really smart, is that the only reason we wouldn't do that is if it would cause more harm to the students involved," he said.
This change, Hansen said, is an attempt to make sure victims of hazing are not publicly embarrassed through the disclosure of details that carry a stigma. Hansen said an example of this change is that the Web site would be specific about items like alcohol violations, yet more general in regards to hazing that involved sexual acts.
Hansen said team captains or executive officers of organizations will automatically be held responsible if any person within their organization or team has taken part in hazing, a change he said was needed to create accountability for those in leadership positions.
The Hazing Task Force will continue its work this year, with a new charge from the University to monitor the implementation of the new policy as well as to keep track of the climate surrounding hazing.
A product of the Hazing Task Force, the new policy defines hazing in more general terminology, stating hazing is "any action or experience expected of new or current members of a student organization or team, regardless of their willingness to participate, that humiliates or degrades them, or risks emotional or physical harm."
Tom Hansen, co-chair of the Hazing Task Force, said the old policy was extremely intricate and difficult to understand, something the task force saw as a problem.
"Hazing is looked at as a greek thing, but it involves all organizations," Hansen said.
A new initiative to end hazing through "group-building alternatives" is another product of the Hazing Task Force's work this year. The program, called Fresh Start, allows members of organizations or teams to confidentially disclose any activities that could be considered hazing without facing disciplinary action from the Community Standards Office. Fresh Start, Hansen said, is contingent upon the organization's implementation of a new program of team-building activities that would be constructed with help from the University.
"We want to change the whole thing, we want to help you take that step forward," Hansen said.
Part of the task force's research into other universities' hazing policies revealed a new idea that will be adapted and implemented at DePauw, Hansen said. He cited Cornell University's hazing policy, which creates an online public record of all hazing offenses on the University's Web site.
"If there is a hazing situation we'll put the information about what the incident of hazing is and the consequences for the organization ... on the University's hazing Web site. One thing the students wanted, and I think this is really smart, is that the only reason we wouldn't do that is if it would cause more harm to the students involved," he said.
This change, Hansen said, is an attempt to make sure victims of hazing are not publicly embarrassed through the disclosure of details that carry a stigma. Hansen said an example of this change is that the Web site would be specific about items like alcohol violations, yet more general in regards to hazing that involved sexual acts.
Hansen said team captains or executive officers of organizations will automatically be held responsible if any person within their organization or team has taken part in hazing, a change he said was needed to create accountability for those in leadership positions.
The Hazing Task Force will continue its work this year, with a new charge from the University to monitor the implementation of the new policy as well as to keep track of the climate surrounding hazing.
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