<p>I heard that some Mom's called in recently to complain about their sons being hazed at one of our biggest frats. Wonder if the University will do anything about it?</p>
<p>Seems funny they called the school. Hazing is against the law in most states.<br>
Why didn't they report and complain to the prosecutor?</p>
[quote]
**[P.S.] 5352. Definitions</p>
<p>The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:</p>
<p>"HAZING." Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by 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, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property. 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>
<p>"INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION" or "INSTITUTION." Any public or private institution within this Commonwealth authorized to grant an associate degree or higher academic degree.
[/quote]
**</p>
<p>Which is it, Justaperson? First you claim that Lehigh is unfairly cracking down on the frats and thus ruining the social scene, and then you imply that frats are out of control and need to be stopped.</p>
<p>It strikes me that you need to transfer out of Lehigh since you're so unhappy there. That would be a much more productive use of your time than trying to stir up anxiety on a message board.</p>
<p>Or if you don’t want to be hazed then don’t join a frat. It’s part of the process if you want to be in a frat.</p>
<p>Holy Old thread resurrection Batman! :eek:</p>
<p>I hate to resurrect this discussion but I just came across this post and I wanted to point out that it is really important for students, boys and girls, to understand what they are getting into when joining a frat or sorority.
My daughter is a freshman at Lehigh and she LOVES everything about it except for the greek scene. I was in a sorority “back in the day” so I was sure she would join at Lehigh. She is a very fun-loving, social girl and before she started Lehigh, she viewed the greek-life as a positive. When she came home for winter break, she told me that she was not going to rush. She was very open about what she saw at frat parties and about what she learned about sorority rush, pledging and hell week and I was shocked. I wont go in to the details but to put things gently, she felt that the greek scene promoted heavy drinking and extreme promiscuity and that the hazing that several of the more “popular” sororities used was cruel and something she could not stomach. I feel badly that my daughter will not enjoy the positive aspects of sorority life that I enjoyed but after what she told me I am in full agreement with her decision. Greek life is not for everyone!<br>
My daughter is fortunate to be very involved with other activities on campus. Lehigh truly has a wealth of opportunities to be involved and meet great people but she does find the weekend nights lonely at times now that she realizes that being hit-on by drunken frat boys is not her idea of fun.</p>
<p>tasmaniandevil, if you are referring to my user name, I am a mom sharing the name with my husband and I’m guessing you’re not a Tasmanian Devil.</p>
<p>I’d like to add to my previous post: I certainly didn’t mean to imply that the greek life at Lehigh is any worse than any other college. It is my hope that my comments may reach some students and that they will be sure to understand what is involved with belonging to a fraternity or sorority before they make a decision to join. Also, that students understand that they should not feel “greek” pressure to behave (or misbehave) in a way that contradicts their moral fiber. I also hope that moms and dads will understand that the greek party scene on today’s college campus is not the same as it was 30 or so years ago. The stories I have heard make “Animal House” look like Romper Room. I encourage parents to talk to their children about greek life and partying, before they begin college and continue to talk to them while they are away. While it seems a simple, common sense message, it can’t be said enough to our children… Be true to yourself and respect your peers.</p>
<p>ProudDadof2 - what kinds of things take place during rush for sororities, such as the hazing? Im seriously considering lehigh and want to go greek but I want some idea of how taxing it will be and if I would even want to be a part of it. Thank you ahead of time.</p>
<p>Lovely - I would rather not be specific about what my daughter told me in confidence but I would be happy to give you some more information via pm, just send me a message. </p>
<p>I also want to make it clear that Lehigh has so many positives that my daughter is very happy with her decision even though did not feel comfortable with the greek scene.</p>
<p>To add to what Kaleigh3 might tell you, lovely23, I will say this:</p>
<p>Greek scene is something that you’ll love or you won’t, I think. I personally love it. I’m rushing again next semester (dropped from Rush this semester on my own accord because of grades); despite some of the things my friends have told me (and I know they weren’t lying to me), I fully intend to join a fraternity if I am offered a bid. I know what I’ll have to go through, and I know it will be less than pleasant, but I feel like at the end of the day I’ll be happier.</p>
<p>The best way to decide if you like it or not will be to get involved first semester. Recruitment isn’t officially until second semester, so if you go out and party and meet the girls in sororities and happen to like or dislike them, you can make your decision based on your own personal experience. If you feel like that’s where you ‘fit’ and you want to live with the girls in the future and you’re willing to go through pledging despite the things it might mean, awesome. If not, that’s cool too.</p>
<p>I know that my friends who joined sororities are no worse for the wear :)</p>
<p>That is great advice, Copaman. Your level-headed advice, mixed with the experience of a Lehigh first-year student is very valuable to parents and students on this site.</p>
<p>Waiting to rush is great advice if you have any uncertainty. I think the point I was trying to make is that students need to experience greek life and talk to as many upperclass students, greek and non-greek, before they make the decision that is best for them. For many, the positives will outweigh the negatives. That wasn’t the case for my daughter. I also want parents to understand as best they can what is involved so that they do not inadvertently pressure their children to join. Until my daughter filled me in on what made her uncomfortable about greek life, I was feeling concern that she would be missing out on the positive experiences that had. For my daughter, she could not get past the negatives and she did not feel that she would be true to herself by joining a sorority and by attending frat parties. Most of her friends did join a sorority so that aspect of her decision has been difficult but she is workng that out.</p>
<p>Good point, that :)</p>