Appendix F: Hazing

IFC, Panhellenic and National Pan-Hellenic Council Hazing Policies.

The following explicit statements from the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, the National Panhellenic Council, and the Code of Iowa reflect Drake's commitment to a university community free from any form of hazing. Contact the Office of Residence and Fraternity and Sorority Life for more information.

Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council Statement on Hazing

Drake University recognizes that a considerable amount of local and national attention has been devoted to the issue of hazing in collegiate fraternities. In light of such publicity, the natural recourse of an organization that strives to emulate the virtue of integrity and honesty within its chapter ranks is the movement to thoroughly evaluate the extent, if any, to which mental and/or physical hazing exists at Drake. The noticeable danger of hazing in and of itself is paramount in the inherent nature of the problem; its existence can emerge at any given time and place with the actions of the many down to the actions of one individual. As a result, the issue of hazing becomes a problem in which a continuous watch for such occurrences must be implemented, and with good conscience, the integrity of the Greek System must be employed to lead such a guard. It is within such a commitment that the following action is hereby employed with full sincerity.

Hazing Policy

The practice of hazing shall hereby be prohibited.

Definition

Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, to new members or initiated members with or without their consent, whether on or off fraternity premises, to intentionally produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Such activities and situations include paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts and scavenger hunts; road trips or any other such activities carried on outside the confines of the house; wearing, publicly, apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; late work sessions which interfere with scholastic activities; line ups designed for the moral degradation of the associate member; any public demonstration of pledging, forced or by consent, occurring outside the confines of the house; forced or requested "line walking" to, from, or on campus; and any other activities which are determined by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life to be inconsistent with fraternal law, ritual, or policy or the regulations and policies of Drake University.

Enforcement

Any of the above infractions reported to University officials shall be subject to investigation by The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Hazing also constitutes non-academic misconduct, punishable under the Code of Conduct.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council Policy on Hazing.

Hazing is defined as forcing students to do hard and unnecessary work, or to initiate or discipline fellow students by forcing them to do ridiculous, humiliating or painful things. Hazing includes, but is not limited to: paddling in any form; promoting excessive fatigue—physical and/or psychological; forcing students to wear any such articles that are not presentable in public; kidnapping; forcing students to consume excessive amounts of alcohol; making students participate in any such public stunts, actions and/or displays which are embarrassing and/or humiliating; making students participate in embarrassing games or scavenger hunts; assigning activities that interfere with scholastic activities or studies; causing any form of duress whatsoever that leads to an undesired moral and/or ethical decision; and planning any activities that are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual and/or policies of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The National Pan-Hellenic Council recognizes hazing as a serious offense and has approved the following policy to oversee the intake processes of the member organizations which are active members of and are advised by the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Drake University via the national headquarters of each member organization. The National Pan-Hellenic Council vehemently prohibits mental or physical harassment or any other form of hazing with respect to each organization's national pledging policy.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council is interested in the intellectual, social, cultural and fraternal development and enrichment of its individual members. The National Pan-Hellenic Council promotes and defends intake practices that conform to this policy and to the educational experience and understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of sorority and fraternity membership.

National Pan-Hellenic Council, Fall 1997

Code of Iowa

Section 708.10 —Hazing

1. a. A person commits an act of hazing when the person intentionally or recklessly engages in any act or acts involving forced activity which endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating in connection with a school, college, or university. Prohibited acts include, but are not limited to, any brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, forced confinement, or any other forced activity which endangers the physical health or safety of the student.
   b. For purposes of this section, "forced activity" means any activity which is a condition of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, an organization, regardless of a student's willingness to participate in the activity.
2. A person who commits an act of hazing is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
3. A person who commits an act of hazing which causes serious bodily injury to another is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.

A simple misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment for up to 30 days and/or a fine of $65 to $6,250.  A serious misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment for up to 1 year and/or a fine of $315-$1,875.