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My name is Samantha Thomas and I am entering my fourth year as an elementary educator. I have taught first grade, pre-kindergarten and I am currently serving as a kindergarten teacher in a public school institution. Although my educational career has consisted of working with lower aged elementary aged students, as I future school counselor I am open to working with diverse ages of students. This is why I find it important that I am knowledgeable and well versed in subject matter that pertains to all age categories of the potential students that I could work with in the future.

The topic of discipline for Greek organizations will ideally target perspective Greek organization members either being a high school student preparing to enter university life, or current organization members who are ensuring and developing the structure and processes of the fraternity or sorority. These organizations need to engage in risk management strategies and be up to date on the laws and policies that have effects on them. As a member of a Greek organization myself, I feel that it is important that I am up to date on Greek policies and developments if I am to serve as a role model and a resource for perspective students, if they come to me inquiring information about sorority or fraternity life.

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In my conversation with Gabriella Rodriguez a previous academic advisor for the University of Texas at Austin and several Greek entities located there I learned that is crucial that all campus organizations and their members are informed on the legal and ethical polices associated with membership. This university is strict on it s organizations to ensure compliance, and if policies are violated, the university is quick to reprimand all parties involved. The discipline of Greek organizations has a profound impact on the reputation of the university as a whole, which is why compliance breeches are handled promptly and held to high regard. When legal issues arise within Greek organizations, not only is the organization’s reputation tainted, but that too of the campus in which the organization resides.

The University of Texas at Austin has required all campus organization members to attend multiple trainings in regards to the hazing policies on campus. Organizations are also evaluated each semester to determine good standing by adhering to compliance procedures. Most campus organizations also conduct other trainings throughout the year as part of their risk management plans.

The prominent emerging issue that Greek organizations are facing is following compliance guidelines in regards to social activities due to the current outbreak of Covid-19. Campuses are now working to establish policies and guideline and how to manage the social side of Greek organizations. Because this is a new component to all parties involved, being that coronavirus is a new occurrence, enforcing social restrictions is a challenge and a work in progress.

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The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors is a professional association whose mission revolves around enhancing its “members’ abilities to foster impactful fraternity/sorority experiences” (Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, n.d., p. 1). This professional association for Greek organizations serves as support and a vital resource for the members of the Greek community. It ensures that the website is up to date on the changing dynamics and principles of higher education by providing advising services and news related to analysis and research that is always occurring. This association serves as purpose as a reference point for organizations to attain information on policies, laws and current events within the community.

Reference: Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors. (n.d). Get to know AFA. Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors. Retrieved from https://www.afa1976.org/page/AboutAFA

Link: https://www.afa1976.org/page/AboutAFA

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Reference:

Bauer- Wolf, J. & Busta, H. (2020). Sex, masks and parties: Can colleges actually change student behavior? Education Dive. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/sex-masks-and-parties-can-colleges-actually-change-student-behavior/583004/

Link:

https://www.educationdive.com/news/sex-masks-and-parties-can-colleges-actually-change-student-behavior/583004/

Summary:

·      Plans to reopen college campuses for the fall semester relies heavily on the expectation that students will follow the rules and adhere to the guidelines set by each college campus.

·      College campuses are making plans to allow their students to return to campus with their safety and health in mind in relation to the potential outbreak of coronavirus on campus.

·      A major component of campus life revolves around social experiences, such as fraternity and sorority gatherings and parties. Most campuses are setting the expectation that organizations will not host social events due to the potential exposure of coronavirus. The issue lies with how are campuses going to regulate this rule, since most Greek organization events are not located directly on school grounds.

·      Purdue University is the only college campus that has released any statement regarding their implementation, regulations and consequences for social events. Purdue representatives stated that compliance violations would be treated and viewed as an educational opportunity rather than a punitive repercussion.

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Reference:

Burke, L. (2020). Covid-19 roundup: a strike and suspensions. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/09/08/covid-19-roundup-strike-michigan-students-suspended-and-modalities-changed

Link:

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/09/08/covid-19-roundup-strike-michigan-students-suspended-and-modalities-changed

Summary:

·      The graduate employees’; union at the University of Michigan have began a four day strike in regards to the university’s “lack of transparency regarding reopening decisions” (Burke, 2020, p. 3).

·      Many college campuses have returned to their remote learning models after seeing spikes in coronavirus cases after the adoption of face-to-face instruction and residence hall openings.

·      West Virginia University suspended 29 fraternity members for not abiding by the campus’ quarantine and isolation orders after a member tested positive for the virus. Instead of abiding by their quarantine order, social media posts revealed that the fraternity hosted a party at the fraternity house.

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Reference: (S. 2755, NY. S.B. 2755, (2018)).

Source of Law: State Statutory Law

Link:

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/S2755?intent=support

Summary:

·      This law makes fraternity and sorority hazing during an initiation or related ceremony that results in the physical injury of an individual is considered a crime that is punishable by up to one year in jail.

·      This legislation was created in response to the death of Chun “Michael” Deng. Deng suffered a fatal head injury during a fraternity hazing ritual in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains.

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Reference: (4 By Laws of the Greek Council of SDSM&T § 1)

Source of Law: Administrative Law

Link:

https://www.sdsmt.edu/uploadedFiles/Content/Campus_Life/Student_Activities/Fraternity_and_Sorority_Life/Bylaws%20of%20Greek%20Council%2011-7-19.pdf

Summary:

·      This section of the SDSM&T by-laws outlines the strictly prohibited activities in regards to pledging and candidate member initiation.

·      If any of the activities outlined are performed, then violators will result in disciplinary action administered and enforced by the Greek Council Judiciary Council.

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Reference: Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, PA. S.B. 1090, (2018).

Source of Law: State Statutory Law

Link: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=28

Summary:

·      This anti-hazing legislation addresses prevention enforcement and transparency by establishing tiers for hazing. This law requires that all Pennsylvania schools have policies and reporting procedures in place to stop hazing and keep members informed and educated.

·      This legislation wad established after the death of Penn State student, Tim Piazza. Tim suffered numerous head injuries while severely intoxicated while pledging for Beta Theta Pi.

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Reference: U.S. Const. amend. XIV.

Source of Law: Constitutional Law

Link: https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxiv

Summary:

·      This constitutional law states that “no State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws” (U.S. Const. amend. XIV).

·      Many cases involving hazing within Greek organizations are intitally litigated by victims who cite the due process clause stated within the 14th amendment.

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Reference: University of Texas at Austin. (2020). General Information 2020-2021 Catalog, Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities, Ch. 14.

Link: https://catalog.utexas.edu/general-information/appendices/appendix-c/prohibition-of-hazing/#:~:text=The%20University%20of%20Texas%20at%20Austin%20is%20committed%20to%20providing,individual%20affiliated%20with%20the%20University.&text=Hazing%20is%20prohibited%20under%20state%20law.

Explanation:

Chapter 14 of this catalog outlines the prohibitions of hazing on the University of Texas at Austin’s campus. It provides a no tolerance clause, definitions of terms related to hazing, hazing examples, reporting procedures and disciplinary action.

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Reference:

American School Counselor Association (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

Link:

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

ASCA A.1a- Have a primary obligation to the students, who are to be treated with dignity and respect as unique individuals

Summary:

Greek organization membership is an individual decision that students make. It is the school counselor’s responsibility to ensure that the student is well-informed about the decision they are making and aware of the their rights as a organizational candidate. The school counselor can serve as a viable resource for a prospective Greek candidate by informing and educating the student on hazing, report and repercussions of personal rights violations.

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Citation: University of Houston. (2020). What is Greek life? University of Houston. Retrieved from https://uh.edu/caps/resources/students/greek-life/

Link: https://uh.edu/caps/resources/students/greek-life/

Summary:
This non-law source is from the Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Houston. This site provides a definition of Greek life and addresses potential difficulties students may have when enrolling in a Greek organization. This site then provides resources that students can utilize to help them through the specific issues that may arise while undergoing the process of joining a fraternity or sorority. This source could bring awareness for professionals about the stresses that Greek life can instill on students and ways these students can be supported through them.

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·      Greek organizations should adopt a risk management framework to ensure that they are in legal compliance consistently. Adjustments and updates should be made as needed.

·      Remain up to date on the policy changes both locally and federally to avoid issues of legal liability.

·      All Greek organization affiliates should receive yearly training on hazing and legal compliances.

·      Campus counselors should be well versed on the issues that students may encounter when involved in Greek life. Counselors should be informed on how to support students during these processes.

·      Research should be conducted on individual Greek entities prior to seeking membership; professionals can assist students in this process.

·      Local administrative laws are crucial components to abide by when joining Greek organizations on college campuses. College campuses should be aware of all Greek activities and ensure accountability that policy and legislation are being followed.