WSU sorority stripped of recognition due to hazing

agarmy said on February 6, 2012 at 8:55 AM

Unfortunately, hazing and fraternities/sororities have become synonymous with one another in this society. So, it seems that when something does happen, the punishment is usually more severe than the crime. The crummy part is, the schools shouldn't be responsible for the poor decisions a student makes, but people always look to the school when a student makes that poor choice

Conseula said on February 5, 2012 at 1:01 PM

@libbygu..If you are so proud of your sorority and why or how about telling us the sorority's name so we can encourage our daughters, granddaughters to join? Or! did you deliberately choose not to mention your sorority's name because someone might know something different?

libbygu said on February 5, 2012 at 8:24 AM

For the record, I spent 4 years in a sorority at WSU, three living in, and was never hazed.Members were not even allowed to address pledges as "pledge" if they forgot their names when they were brand new because it might infer they were of lower status.That is still the rule to this day. My house was ferociously anti-hazing as a national policy. We certainly heard tales of other houses and I know Panhellenic both locally and nationally worked against it. I am glad to see this action. I loved my time in my house, the philanthropy activities we did, the sisterhood, the friendships that last to this day. My mother died when I was in college and without the support of living in my house it might have much more difficult for me to continue as a student. I returned from her funeral into the loving home of my sisters. Yes there were dances, frat parties, and drama. We were 120 women, 75 living in, and I loved every minute of it.

southlakeunion said on February 5, 2012 at 6:34 AM

Recruiting hot chicks just got tougher.

WSUgogreek said on February 5, 2012 at 3:10 AM

Underage drinking may be a common occurrence at Universities but hazing is not, and such activity deserves attention. The Greek system is about unity, sisterhood/brotherhood, trust, and respect. Hazing goes against all of these values. That this is not the first time this chapter has been punished for hazing is troubling. Arrow, pointing fingers at other chapters is also reprehensible.

eightwrong said on February 5, 2012 at 1:47 AM

who cares?

Arrow said on February 5, 2012 at 1:34 AM

Shoreline, how many years ago were you in one? Things have changed and the hazing that goes go on today isn't the same as 20 or 30 years ago. I am currently in a house and I know many girls in houses other than mine and none of them, nor mine, do what you are suggesting. Fraternities do still do a lot of hazing, but the sororities here don't. Now, even calling a freshman a freshman is considered hazing, or having them complete a required amount of study hours per week before they're initiated like the rest of the members do is hazing, even though that is to help them keep their grades up. The standards are ridiculous, and if you go by those, everyone is guilty of hazing.

shoreline said on February 4, 2012 at 9:21 PM

Gocougs and arrow, I was a member of a fraternity at WSU and my wife was in a very well regarded sorority. In fact, she was on the Panhellic Council her Senior year. We are both very qualified to make observations on Greek life at WSU. Fraternities and Sororities have a lot of great attributes and I'm proud of those things. But they also have dirty little secrets. Ask most Fraternity members about "half-case races" and "puke for distance" contests. How about earning thier pledge pins and the hazing that goes along with those. Sorority Rush is disgustingly cruel to any young woman who doesn't fit the Sororities beauty/weight standards. Don't even get me started on the initiation rituals. I've spoken with members of most Fraternities and many Sororities on the WSU campus and GAUARANTEE parents have no clue what goes on at these events. Do you really think your kid is going to tell you these things?

gocougs0913 said on February 4, 2012 at 8:40 PM

I'd like someone to name one sorority or fraternity who doesn't have members who underage drink. It's not possible. I'm not saying that it's okay to underage drink but it's sad that one sorority gets punished for it when there are over ten other sororities who I guarantee you have members that underage drink every single weekend. And for the hazing, nobody but the people who were actually there no what truly happened. It could have been major or it could have been one person's actions that could have easily had a reflection on the entire chapter, which is very unfortunate. Shoreline, each of these members ARE smart and independent with proud parents, so for you to generalize all of these girls and say "Why would you be proud that your daughter is part of that?" is ridiculous. Get your facts straight, clearly you don't know anything about this situation.

Arrow said on February 4, 2012 at 6:01 PM

shoreline, I know for a fact that hazing did not happen. And sororities today aren't actually how they are portrayed in the movies, not at WSU at least. Don't believe everything you read. The student conduct board system isn't perfect and came to the wrong decision.

shoreline said on February 4, 2012 at 5:48 PM

dakotanative, I believe the University has to "recognize" the sorority in order to have freshmen be allowed to live there. If the sorority (or fraternity for that matter) can't recruit freshman to take the place of graduating seniors (or drop outs), they lose LOTS of money. WSUMOM, you're right, the drinking IS everywhere. These young ladies must have done something very major to lose recognition. What was this hazing thing? Underage drinking leads to bad things happening to young ladies. Assault, date rape, bad decision making... And hazing? Why is that neccesary for Pi-Phi's? People have DIED because of these moronic "traditions". Why would you be proud your daughter is part of that? I'm proud to be raising a daughter who is smart, independant, makes good decisions, and would never feel the need to "belong" to a group that promotes the hazing and elitism that sororities are known for.

Arrow said on February 4, 2012 at 5:41 PM

Funny cause hazing didn't actually happen.. If they want to shut someone down for that they should look at AGD's.

Conseula said on February 4, 2012 at 5:23 PM

Lots of error in my heat of passion in responding to this ignorant, honorable Pi Beta Phi mother!

WSUMOM said on February 4, 2012 at 3:46 PM

I am a proud Mom of a Pi Beta Phi and these young women do more than party! Why just them....WSU really should take a look at the entire Greek system....open your eyes.....its everywhere .....see you ladies in April for Moms weekend...Go Cougs

dakotanative said on February 4, 2012 at 3:16 PM

What exactly does being in a sorority do for you anyway? Does it matter if you hang out a a sorority without the recognition of the school?

shoreline said on February 4, 2012 at 1:10 PM

Wow... underage drinking at a University? Who'd have ever thought... Anyway, Go Cougs!