National fraternities, sororities create hotline, combat hazing
By: Emilee Mcstay
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: News
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The national organizations for eight of DePauw's greek chapters are sponsoring a new anti-hazing hotline.
Twenty-two international fraternities and sororities joined together to establish the hotline. As of Tuesday, anyone who thinks they or someone they know is a current or potential victim of hazing can call the hotline anonymously and leave a message with a voice mailbox monitored by the Manley Burke law firm in Cincinnati.
Manley Burke has dealt with legal issues for fraternities and sororities for over 25 years, so helping to facilitate the hotline was "a natural fit," said Dan McCarthy, an attorney at the firm.
"Hazing seemed to have died down towards the end of the '90s and beginning of the millennium, but there is a sense that it is making a resurgence," McCarthy said. "The goal is not to reduce, but to eliminate hazing."
Student organizations not part of the coalition can still call the hotline for help, said Coalition Spokesman Norval Stephens '51. Manley Burke law firm will forward the message to that person's organization whether it is a club, sports team or greek organization.
Stephens is chairman of the Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation and former international president of the fraternity. He said the hotline's number will be printed in each organizations pledge manuals and fall magazines. The coalition will send local chapters stickers and posters with the hotline number and will mail information to parents of all new members, he said.
Junior Michael Gentry, co-chair of the Hazing Task Force and vice president for risk management of the Intrafraternity Council, said he felt the hotline could be useful for DePauw's campus.
"Hazing goes on at DePauw, as it does at every university that has a greek system," Gentry said.
Gentry said he is optimistic about DePauw's efforts to combat hazing, however.
"DePauw is taking very proactive steps in eliminating the problem. We are participating in National Hazing Awareness week later this month and we have the Hazing Task Force," he said.
Twenty-two international fraternities and sororities joined together to establish the hotline. As of Tuesday, anyone who thinks they or someone they know is a current or potential victim of hazing can call the hotline anonymously and leave a message with a voice mailbox monitored by the Manley Burke law firm in Cincinnati.
Manley Burke has dealt with legal issues for fraternities and sororities for over 25 years, so helping to facilitate the hotline was "a natural fit," said Dan McCarthy, an attorney at the firm.
"Hazing seemed to have died down towards the end of the '90s and beginning of the millennium, but there is a sense that it is making a resurgence," McCarthy said. "The goal is not to reduce, but to eliminate hazing."
Student organizations not part of the coalition can still call the hotline for help, said Coalition Spokesman Norval Stephens '51. Manley Burke law firm will forward the message to that person's organization whether it is a club, sports team or greek organization.
Stephens is chairman of the Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation and former international president of the fraternity. He said the hotline's number will be printed in each organizations pledge manuals and fall magazines. The coalition will send local chapters stickers and posters with the hotline number and will mail information to parents of all new members, he said.
Junior Michael Gentry, co-chair of the Hazing Task Force and vice president for risk management of the Intrafraternity Council, said he felt the hotline could be useful for DePauw's campus.
"Hazing goes on at DePauw, as it does at every university that has a greek system," Gentry said.
Gentry said he is optimistic about DePauw's efforts to combat hazing, however.
"DePauw is taking very proactive steps in eliminating the problem. We are participating in National Hazing Awareness week later this month and we have the Hazing Task Force," he said.
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