Dismantling Hazing In Greek Letter Organizations PDF Download

This study examined the creation of the earliest Greek letter organizations, including Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) who heavily influenced the establishment of recently established ethnic-based Greek letter organizations (REGLOs). The tradition of hazing through initiation rites/organization rituals remains prevalent today. The historical relationship between Greek letter organizations and hazing activities provides the foundation for studying hazing behaviors and perceptions specific to REGLOs. Theoretical frameworks were used to develop an understanding of student identity development and the impact of influential peer groups in the perpetuation and even increased severity of hazing activities. While existing research has been able to conclude the overwhelming presence of hazing activities in the earliest fraternities and sororities as well as BGLOs, a large information gap still exists regarding hazing activities in REGLOs. Do the same problems with hazing exist in REGLOs or do these groups experience different problems? Without researching the potential hazing behaviors within these specific communities and the attitudes of the members, administrators are unable to identify the most appropriate methods of addressing hazing behaviors and creating prevention strategies. Methodology A population of 345 individuals were identified based on their enrollment and membership in one of the 17 recognized REGLOs at a public, four-year university in California. A quantitative survey was distributed to 342 total participants. One hundred participant responses were chosen for analysis, equating to a 29.24% response rate. Conclusions and Recommendations This research study concluded that hazing activities do occur in REGLOs. The study findings revealed that missing sleep, singing and chanting in a public situation, and being yelled at by other members are the most common among REGLOs, which differ significantly from those in previously published national data. In addition, participants responded almost unanimously that they understood the definition of hazing and they had not participated in hazing activities; however, the results showed hazing behaviors are still occurring in REGLOs in significant percentages. Large disconnections currently exist between three components: what members know about hazing, what members believe about hazing, and what members actually do that is considered hazing.