The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Muhlenberg College
strictly forbid hazing activities in new member education programs.
In addition, all inter/national Greek organizations oppose hazing
and are committed to a membership education period that instills
a sense of responsibility and commitment in the new members. Muhlenberg
College will vigorously investigate all claims of hazing.
Act 175 of the General Assembly makes hazing a criminal offense
within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. "Hazing" is defined in
the law as:
Any action or situation
which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or
physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of
initiation or admission into or affiliation with any
organization operating under the sanction of an institution of
higher education. The term shall include, but not be limited to,
any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating,
branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced
consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any
other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the
physical health and safety of the individual, and shall include
any activity which would subject the individual to extreme
mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from
social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme
embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could
adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.
- [P.S.] § 5352, Act 175
Some activities are easily categorized as hazing. Others may not be
so easily classified. In you are not sure that you have observed or
have participated in hazing, consider the following questions:
- Is the activity an educational experience with identifiable
outcomes?
- Does the activity promote the founding values of the organization?
- Do new and initiated members participate equally in the activity?
- Would you be willing to allow parents or law enforcement officials
to witness the activity?
- Would you be able to justify the activity in a court of law?
It is also important to note that, under
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law, no one can agree to be hazed:
For purposes of this definition, any
activity as described in this definition upon which the initiation
or admission into or affiliation with or continued membership in an
organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed
to be "forced" activity, the willingness of an individual to
participate in such activity notwithstanding. - [P.S.] § 5352, Act 175
None of the chapters at Muhlenberg College “has
always hazed new members.”
As a potential new member of a Greek letter organization, you have an
obligation to ensure that your chapter upholds the principles upon which
it was founded as well as to protect your own dignity. If you are asked
to participate in activities that you feel may be inappropriate, ask “how
will this make me a better member?”
If the initiated members can’t reasonably answer the questions listed
above, then consider walking away. You cannot expect respect from your
brothers or sisters if you don’t first respect yourself.
Hazers will tell you that what you are
going through is "tradition". In most cases, that tradition has
nothing whatsoever to do with the values and ideals of the
organization. In fact, traditional hazing is usually a game of
"one upsmanship", in which the next group of hazers adds to the
previous activities to see just how far they can push new
members. Unfortunately, newspapers annually run stories of
members who took it one step too far resulting in the death of a
new member. Perhaps there are dumb activities that your founding
brothers or sisters conducted - there were idiots back then just
as certainly as there are idiots today.
You earned your right into your
organization that day the chapter thought you mature enough,
strong enough, and passionate enough to offer you a bid - you
should not have to prove yourself to anyone else.
Help to break the Tradition of Hazing
If you have witnessed or have knowledge about improper activities occurring
in the Greek system you are encouraged to contact one or more of the following
offices and organizations:
| Director of Greek Affairs |
484-664-3733 |
| Dean of Students |
484-664-3182 |
| Campus Safety |
484-664-3112 |
Chapter National Headquarters
| Alpha Chi Omega |
317-579-5050 |
| Delta Tau Delta |
317-284-0203 |
| Delta Zeta |
513-523-7597 |
| Phi Kappa Tau |
513-523-4193 |
| Phi Mu |
770-496-5582 |
| Phi Sigma Sigma |
561-451-4415 |
| Sigma Phi Epsilon |
804-353-1901 |
2400 Chew St.