AN OBSERVANT SOCIALITE
The problem of hazing has struck again in the Midwest, with multiple colleges and high schools coming under the public eye after alleged violations of policy. At the center of many of these allegations are fraternities and sororities, organizations from which Franciscan University of Steubenville has thankfully drawn itself away since the formation of household life.
Though it is rarely relevant on this campus, the Franciscan University Student Handbook does have a definition for hazing: “any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate, or that destroys or removes public or private property or that otherwise conflicts with the academic or religious mission of the university.”
However, the difference between Greek life and household life is so vast that it can be hard to understand the problems going on in the country. So, we took to the street to ask some Franciscan students what they thought of the whole situation.
Rodney Welt, a sophomore, expressed his gratitude for Franciscan life. “I’m glad that we have absolutely nothing like frats,” Welt stated. “I can’t even imagine the humiliation people must feel when they are hazed. The most I ever have to do is wear an outfit, but honestly, it’s hardly noticeable.” Indeed, the large chicken mascot uniform he was wearing was inconspicuous. Welt mentioned how he wished he could say more, but that he had to give a class presentation, leaving with the final remark, “I can’t wait until I am inducted; this thing gets really hot!”
“Honestly, I’ve never felt pressured to do anything,” junior Sarah Harper said. “I don’t fully know what the definition of hazing is, but I am glad that it is limited to other universities.” The interview was cut short when Harper realized she did not have the large, light-up stuffed panda that she was to keep in her possession at all times. As she noticed a girl approaching, she said, “They didn’t tell me what would happen if I don’t have it, but I don’t want to find out,” before running away.
“They didn’t tell me what would happen if I don’t have it, but I don’t want to find out,” she said, before running away.
Junior Hugh Beck provided an interesting interpretation: “I hate it when people say that we just have ‘Catholic fraternities and sororities.’ I have been here for three years, and I’m pretty sure it’s a lot more than that. Other universities have frats, but we are Catholic, and it’s not — ”
Beck’s thought was cut short as he spotted a girl walking out of Egan Hall. He quickly ran toward her and tackled her onto the ground. Her friends rushed to help her up as Beck continued his thought: “As I was saying before I was interrupted: They have frats, but we are Catholic, and it’s not hazing if its Catholic.”