SUNY Delhi Pledge
Success Conference
February 17th, 2011
John Huber, Assistant
Director of Student
Activities
Greek Council Executive
Board:
Kevorn “K2” Willet, President
Kate Socha, Vice President
Elizabeth Kielbasa, Secretary
Danielle Schafer, Treasurer
Jordan Hernandez, Sgt. At
Arms
Vacant, Community Service
Coordinator
Tiffany Julien, Senator
Cailyn Bashaw, Alternate
Senator
Hazing
 Hazing is making a person do something
humiliating, dangerous, illegal or degrading
to join a group, club, team, or gang.
 Hazing in Greek Organizations is often an
initiation process involving harassment in
order for a person to become a member of
that organization.
 Hazing is still hazing even when the person
does it willingly.
Hazing
For most adults and, for most students,
the confounding feature of this hazing
issue is why anyone would want to
engage in it in the first place.
Why would any student voluntarily be
subjected to such humiliating and
dangerous treatment, and why would
anyone else want to administer it?
College Policy
 Hazing is a serious Violation of College
policy and New York State law. SUNY
Delhi policy specifically prohibits students
from engaging in collectively or
individually in illegal practices in
connection with initiation into or affiliation
with any recognized or unrecognized
organization.
SUNY Delhi Policy states that
hazing includes, but isn’t limited to:
 Forced or required participation in physical
activities such as calisthenics, exercises or
games
 Any form of tattooing or branding
 Forced, coerced or required consumption of
alcohol or other drugs
 Any form of physical Brutality, including
paddling, striking with fists, open hands, or
other objects
 Participation in illegal activities
 Intentional or reckless engagement in conduct
which creates a substantial risk of physical
injury to another person.
SUNY Delhi Policy states that
hazing includes, but isn’t limited to:
 Forced, coerced or required consumption of
any food or other substance
 Creation of excessive fatigue or sleep
deprivation
 Any act that causes physiological harm,
embarrassment, ridicule or emotional distress
to any individual; or
 Forced or required inappropriate dress, or full
or partial nudity in any situation for any reason
 Any violation of approved Greek Council
hazing regulations.
Is it Hazing?
 Is drinking alcohol involved?
 Will active/current members of the group refuse to
participate with the new members?
 Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?
 Is there risk of injury or question of safety?
 Do you have any reservation describing the activity to your
parents, to a professor or School Official?
 Would you object to the activity being photographed for the
school newspaper or filmed by a local TV news crew?
If the answer to any of the above is yes, then it is probably
HAZING
Hazing Myths
 Hazing builds unity!
 FACT: Wrong! Hazing actually
fragments the organization. It does
no good to bring the new members
together if it drives them further
away from the active members.
Organizational unity should be the
YouTube - Old School Cinder Block Clip
goal.
Hazing Myths
 If someone agrees to participate in an
activity, it cannot be considered hazing
 FACT: In the 44 states that have laws
against hazing, consent of the victim
cannot be used as a defense. Even if
someone agrees to participate in a
potentially hazardous action, it may not
be true consent when considering the
peer pressure and desire to belong to
the group.
YouTube - wiener
Hazing Myths
 Hazing is an effective way to teach
respect and develop discipline.
 FACT: Victims of hazing rarely report
having respect for those who have
hazed them. Just like other forms of
victimization, hazing breeds mistrust,
apathy and alienation.
Do you want to look like
this?
NO
!!!!
Hazing Myths
 Hazing doesn’t hurt anyone
 FACT: Since 1970, there has been at
least one hazing-related death on a
campus each year. As of November 1,
2007, the number of recorded hazing,
pledging, and rushing-related deaths
in the US stands at 83 males and 6
females.
YouTube - Kevin Bacon - Fraternity Paddle
Alternatives to Hazing
 Develop chapter unity
 Involve new members in organization’s committees, have
retreats, play sports
 Promote scholarship
 Utilize tutoring services, designate study hours, invite
college faculty/staff to discuss test-taking skills, study
methods, etc.
 Instill a sense of brotherhood/sisterhood
 Plan special events for the entire fraternity/sorority (ie.
attend a movie, play or sports game, go hiking, biking,
etc.)
 Build awareness of chapter history
 Invite an older alumnus/a to talk about the organization’s
early days and the values of the organization or group and
what they hope new members will contribute and receive
as part of their experience
Alternatives to Hazing
 Develop leadership
 Assign new members to a committee, encourage participation in
other campus activities, utilize campus leadership workshops and
retreats
 Involve new members in the community
 Get involved in community service activities through the OCCE or
create your own philanthropy project
 Athletic competitions
 Have new members play basketball, volleyball, bowling, softball
or other athletic games against current members or other groups
 Sharing common activities
 Have current members participate with new members in cleaning
chapter property. Such activities can shift the tone from hazing
(i.e., servitude) to non-hazing (i.e., collaboration)
IF YOU ARE HAZED
 Talk to Someone you trust outside of the group. This
could be a friend, partner, family member, professor,
advisor, or counselor
 Talk to a faculty advisor or Greek Advisor
 Use an advocacy resource on campus, such as peer
counseling or the counseling center
 Report extreme and clearly criminal hazing to the
police
 Call the Hazing Hotline 746-4562
Who should you contact?
 Greek Council Sgt. At Arms
 Jordan Hernandez (TDX) 845-642-9959
 Greek Council President
 Kevorn “K2” Wilet (DOE) 845-741-5890
 Greek Advisor
 John Huber (MA) 607-746-4567
 Counseling Services
 746-4690
 University Police
 746-4700
Pledge Success Conference
Make-Up
Mandatory for
prospects/pledges/pledge team
members who could NOT attend
tonight
Make-up Dates
Mon, Feb 21 5PM
Farrell 211
Wed, Feb 23 5PM
Okun Theater