Hello PSU! We have officially been back for a couple weeks now and classes are in full swing. As many of you know, along with the beginning of the year comes the PSU tradition of Hazing Season, where countless numbers of your peers will subject themselves to physical and emotional trials with hopes of finding that sense of place as well as the brotherly or sisterly bonds that come with being a part of Greek life.
Now, we here at The Clock are not discouraging anybody from pledging a frat or sorority, whether recognized or unrecognized, if that is his or her fancy. However, we did think it would be beneficial to inform all of you in the PSU community of the seriousness behind the NH hazing laws. RSA 631:7 defines student hazing as, “any act directed toward a student, or any coercion or intimidation of a student to act or to participate in or submit to any act, when: (1) Such act is likely or would be perceived by a reasonable person as likely to cause physical or psychological injury to any person; and
(2) Such act is a condition of initiation into, admission into, continued membership in or association with any organization.”
If you further read RSA 631:7, you will notice how serious the hazing laws actually are. Obviously, the person performing the act of hazing can be punished within the legal system. Also, subjecting yourself to an act of hazing is punishable by law. On top of that, anyone who knows that hazing is going on is subject to legal penalties. Even somebody that knows that somebody knows that hazing is going on is punishable by law.
This may seem excessive, but PSU has seen first hand the reasons why these laws are necessary. To rehash an often used and extreme example for PSU, the death of Kelly Nester in 2003, while she was blindfolded in the back of an SUV driving recklessly down Route 3. Countless other instances have been recorded over time. 1974, Jon Wiley was temporarily blinded in one eye due to hazing practices. He then filed a lawsuit against the fraternity he was pledging, and left then PSC two years later after he became, what he referred to as, “‘persona non grata’ on campus.” In 2006, four members of an unrecognized sorority and one alumnus of PSU and the same sorority were arrested for hazing and simple assault.
We at The Clock are not denying that the Greek system offers some excellent benefits for those who choose to become a part of it. But it also acts as a rift within PSU as a communal whole, creating cliques and a sense of elitism among us, when we should all be supporting each other. Join this pseudo-fellowship if that is where you feel your niche, but if that is the path you choose remember the potential consequences and keep in mind the other great opportunities other organizations on campus have to offer you.
-The Clock Staff