About 500 Central State students attended the university’s annual hazing seminar in Robeson Auditorium January 15, 2019. The university requires students to attend the training seminar if they wish to join a Greek organization.
Nearly three times as many students attended this year’s seminar compared to last year’s. “It may be because of the increase in enrollment, along with other factors,” said Robert Matthews, coordinator of student leadership and development.
The university defines hazing as any activity or attitude which ridicules, degrades, or embarrasses someone, or leads to confusion or frustration, or causes discomfort, or jeopardizes the health, welfare, and safety of a person or group. Hazing is most commonly associated with Greek organizations, especially when they are inducting new members.
Administrators says that Greek organizations have been suspsended for hazing in the past, but they would not say which fraternities or sororities were disciplined.
Dr. Jason Meriwether, an expert on hazing from Rhode Island, told students that hazing is considered a right of passage for many Greek members. He said that although he was hazed as an undergraduate, he now views hazing as wrong. Meriwether said that hazing can result in injuries, and even fatalities. “(Fraternity and sorority) founders were not hazed, so why should you be?” Meriwether asked students.
Students were charged $5 to attend the seminar, which was mandatory for anyone who wanted to join or remain in a Greek organization. Many students objected to the fee. “Payment should not be a factor if the ultimate goal is to stop hazing,” sophomore Daja Lee said. Sophomore Jessica McBounds said that it was unfair to charge prospective Greek members a fee, since there was no guarantee that the students would be accepted into a Greek organization.
Junior Antonio Ramirez did not object to the fee. “If you truly want to be a part of an organization $5 is nothing,” he said.
Administrators ultimately allowed students to attend the seminar regardless of whether they purchased a ticket. However, they recorded the names of students who paid the fee.
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