Greek life's new member education process has begun and Otterbein is taking steps to prevent hazing and raise awareness. On October 19 a meeting was held for Greek life members to go over Otterbein's hazing policy.
Otterbein tells new members to look for signs of hazing and to ask themselves these questions while participating in activities: Is this activity an educational experience? Does this activity promote the ideals and values of the organization and Otterbein? Will this activity increase the new members' respect for the organization or team, current members and Otterbein?
On September 14 a student pledging Phi Delta Theta at Louisiana State University died due to a hazing incident involving alcohol. Ten members of the fraternity are facing charges.
Phi Delta Theta is one of two national fraternities at Otterbein.
Brian Hammel, president of Phi Delta Theta's Otterbein chapter, said the incident at LSU did not represent Phi Delta Theta accurately. "From headquarters on down we do not support hazing at all," said Hammel.
Hammel said safety is the number one priority of the fraternity. He discussed what would happen if hazing occurred within the chapter.
"If it was an individual member then we would definitely take the disciplinary actions that headquarters prescribes and we would be in contact with them and to make sure the member was removed because that just violates just who we are as an organization," said Hammel.
New member education lasts no more than six weeks. All membership-related activities have to be approved by the chairman and adviser of the fraternity prior to the activity. If the hazing policy were to be violated, officers of the organization would be held responsible and tried as individuals to the Judicial Council. Disciplinary action would also be taken against the organization.
The Center for Student Involvement was unavailable for a comment.
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