This presentations will focus on the discipline of fraternities and Greek life organizations. Such memberships have a negative connotation due to hazing, underage drinking, and academic performance. Each fraternity has rules regarding recruitment and initiations, which many students may not know; until it is too late. The purpose of this presentation is to inform student life coordinators, counselors, and department head; on how to approach Greek Life students and determine severity or lack of help for this student population.

Fraternities and Greek life members often face stigma related to the engagement in risky behaviors, reputational issues, and academic struggles. Students who are members of fraternities or Greek life are aware of what they are known for and have identified some issues. Many students join to enhance their academic experience and for social support. Greek life students have addressed that most problems are seen during recruitment initiation and partying culture (Porta et al. , 2021). When recruiting potential members many active Greeks aim for freshmen students, because theses often look for ways to fit in. Current members have mentioned they fear for the consequences and reputation their fraternity or sorority are involved in.

Greek life members mentioned that hazing occurs during initiation, which in some schools has lead to tragedy. Hazing is defined as the imposition of strenuous, often humiliating, tasks as part of a program of rigorous physical training and initiation. Some participants have mentioned that during their initiation they were forced to drink or engage in harmful acts. Some students have passed away due to the harsh conditions they were submitted, in which led to the incarceration of the perpetuators (Fowler, 2025). Fraternities are also known for their partying culture and inviting all of campus. This attracts underage drinkers, because of the lack of age regulation. Partying in these conditions have also led to sexual misconduct through drug usage. Greek Life members have expressed their concerns and are open to collaborating with universities to ensure the safety of their chapter and other students. Consequences are enforced by educators, advisors, and their Interfraternity Council (Porta et al. ,2021)

Fowler, K. D. (2025). Not four years but for life? A sequential explanatory study of fraternal chapter advisors’ perceptions of hazing [ProQuest Information & Learning]. In Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences (Vol. 86, Issue 3–A).

Porta, C. M., Elmquist, S., Martin, L., Sampson, K., Stack, K., Hill, A., Lee, A., & Driessen, M. C. (2021). “it could bring down Greek life as a whole”: Greek Life Members’ Perspectives on party culture, safety, responsibilities and consequences. Journal of American College Health, 71(5), 1486–1496. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1942004

• Ban of 5 fraternities from WVU because of creating independent Interfraternity council

• Ban for a decade

• Fraternities decided to create own council due to the university's decision to hold freshmen from joining Greek life their first year. After the death of a rushing pledge.

Levitan, M. (2018). WVU President Bans Five Fraternities After Trying to Form Independent Council. Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 35(20), 5.

Montague's (2008) research demonstrated two points of view from the victim and offender. Study showed different student points of view on membership and initiation processes.

• Drugs are often used during initiation linked to hazing.

• Upperclassmen believe that membership should be earned.

• Hazing is criminalized in most states but law and universities are not working in unison to bring an end to hazing.

• Montague stated "Hazing can have damaging effects both physically and psychologically. Many have suffered from “traumatic injuries including irreversible intracranial damage, blunt intra-abdominal organ damage, third-degree burns, heat stroke, suffocation, aspiration, sexual assault, and death”

• Offenders believe that hazing creates closer union and stronger bonds

• Many students aside from joining for community service, join Greek life for partying and drinking

Montague, D., Zohra, I. T., Love, S., McGee, D., & Tsamis, V. (2008). Hazing Typologies: Those Who Criminally Haze and Those Who Receive Criminal Hazing. Victims & Offenders, 3(2/3), 258–274. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564880802034943

• Issues regarding alcohol consumption has not been monitored and stated that Penn State should be held accountable. Drinking is banned from some social events at Penn state.

• Penn state university allowed Greek life members to lead their own Interfraternity Council. Which is about to changed after students policing themselves.

• Penn state has had 4 deaths reported to be linked to hazing and alcohol consumption

• 7,000 students holding leadership positions are members of at least 76 sororities or fraternities

  
  

Snyder, S. (2017). Grand jury report: Penn State failed to properly monitor fraternities, hazing.

• Often overlaps with Title IX in how campus security authority responds to incidents of dating, rape, or sexual assault.

• This act handles reports of aggravated assault (hazing), arson, homicide, and hate crimes.

  
  

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1990, 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f) (2018).

Stop Campus Hazing Act will become a statutory law once the president signs and becomes law. So far this future act has been passed the senate.

• This act will hold organizations who inflicted hazing accountable.

• Will publicize record of organization who engaged in these behaviors on campus website.

• Bring awareness to reporting types of hazing

• Will ensure campus safety by prioritizing reporting hazing incidents and establishing prevention programs.

H.R.5646 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Stop Campus Hazing Act, H.R.5646, 118th Cong. (2024), https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5646/text.

• Affects those who participated in hazing, encouraged, or attempted to permit hazing to occur.

• Failure to report they will be charged with a class b misdemeanor ($2,000).

• If serious bodily injury is caused Class A misdemeanor any offense resulting in death leads to state jail felony.

Texas Educ. Code § 37.152 (2023).

• Enforcing policies that protect student rights

• Higher education institution must protect students from hazing, sexual misconduct, and harmful activities.

• Regulating Greek Life council in order to ensure compliance with institution regulations

Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962).

The Gruver v Louisiana Through Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College is a current case that happened in February of 2023. This case covered the case of Max Gruver who passed away after being hazed by The Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

• First federal court rule of a university could be sued under Title IX.

• This case is significant because of the university governance and the protection of individual rights within educational institutions

• Forced to drink during hazing initiation, while underaged. Fraternity brothers failed to take call for help.

• Coroners found BAC of 0.495 which is 4x over the legal limit for adults.

• Ruling was in favor of the university due to not having congruent connections and proof, that demonstrated legal standards

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Gruver v. La. Through Bd. of Supervisors of La. State Univ. & Agric. & Mech. Coll., No. 3:21-CV-00198, 2023 WL 1234567 (M.D. La. Feb. 2, 2023)

Due Process: Ensures fair procedure of life, liberty, or property.

• Ensures that hazing offenders receive all equal opportunities for hearings and appeals; as well as for the victim

• Fair procedure for both accused and accuser of sexual misconduct allegations by the law and university policies.

• Disciplinary actions for underage drinking within IFC and university's.

  
  

  Equal Protection Clause: Requires states to provide equal protection to all people within their jurisdiction.

• Ensure that anti-hazing policies are applied without discrimination.

• Advocate non-discriminatory law against underage-drinkers and sexual misconduct. Allowing fairness for all students to report and not challenge specific demographics.

Equal Protection Clause: U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1.

Due Process Clause: U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1.

Hazing:

• Student code of conduct addresses how to report and the penalties of these actions

  • Failing to Report: 180 days in jail/ fine up to $1,000

  • Hazing not Bodily injury: 90-180 days in jail/ Fine $90-$1,000

  • Hazing resulting in Bodily Injury: 180 days to 1 year in jail/ Fine $1,000-$5,000

  • Resulting in Death: 1-2 years in Jail/ $5,000-$10,000

• Angelo State Fraternity also is in compliance with The Texas Education Code, Section 51.936(c). This code requires postsecondary educational institution to address any organization convicted in hazing on or off campus (2024).

  • This allows students to make clear decisions about which fraternity or sorority they plan to join; and if they have any hazing allegations.

  • Kappa Sigma Fraternity is listed under the Angelo State University Hazing Statement Page; as a fraternity to watch out for.

Sexual Misconduct:

• Angelo State university is in compliance with the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. This is a federal law that provides tools to combat violence against women and offer protection to victims of abuse.

• ASU in accordance to VAWA prohibits discrimination based on sex.

• ASU provides prevention workshops to avoid sexual misconduct and promote trainings for all staff to be mandated reporters.

• Reporting can be done at Bluelight emergency boxes, online, and in person with Title IX Coordinator.

• ASU offers supportive measures involving living, academic, and work arrangements.

  
  

Underage Drinking:

• Angelo State University prohibits any possession of alcohol within ASU property.

• This includes students of age living in ASU dormitories.

• Possession of alcohol in ASU facilities, will lead to fines, and preventative training programs.

• ASU is in compliance with The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) of 1989 that states institutions to establish policies that address unlawful possession.

Angelo State University (2024), Code of Student Conduct, Part I, Section C: Procedures for Student Organizations https://angelo.policystat.com/policy/16132749/latest

Angelo State University (2024), Code of Student Conduct, Part I, Section B: Procedures from the Office of Student Conduct for Students https://angelo.policystat.com/policy/17003273/latest

Hazing statement. Angelo State University. (2024). https://www.angelo.edu/life-on-campus/lead/greek-life/hazing-statement.php

Violence Against Women Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. §§ 13925 et seq. (1994)

Leadership is essential to tackle and carry a response plan. Transformative and servant leadership would allow me to be more empathetic and be able to connect with students. Be transparent with my institution and promote awareness through work shops, and policy making as well as access any problems with the right disciplining. As a leader, I would want my students to take initiative in helping their fellow classmates by participating in hazing, sexual assault and under age drinking awareness events or community volunteer opportunities. Malaret et al. (2021) stated the following, " These emerging leaders were also provided service-learning, co-curricular leadership opportunities, and high impact practices in order to become stronger leaders for the university community."

Malaret, S., Allan, E., Graham, G., Esquenazi, C., Bacon, D., & Whalen, P. (2021). Teaching student leadership, ethics, and group responsibility for Hazing Prevention: An exploratory study. Journal of Campus Activities Practice and Scholarship, 3(1), 17–33. https://doi.org/10.52499/2021012

Langford , L. (2008). A comprehensive approach to hazing prevention in higher https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED537679.pdf

Banks, S. A., & Archibald, J. (2020). The state of fraternity and Sorority Life in Higher Education. Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.20429/gcpa.2020.360103

• Build rapport with the founding fathers and alumni from the chapters; in order to show appreciation and also to promote mentorship.

• Have a well established Greek Life coordinator that can run IFC meeting properly, and bring attention for improvement

• Establish recruitment events and establish the freshmen recruitment hold, to allow incoming students to foster their own sense of belonging. These students are still moldable and can be deterred from impulsive decisions.

• Make an assessment list that consist of mandatory trainings and attendance. In order for them to be in compliance with the institution and its IFC.

• Remember to address the organizations lack of power over the institution. Greek life organizations are invited to campus, and can be dropped.

• Allow campus police to host safe non-alcoholic events as a partnership for Greek life members to ensure the safety of their own members.

Banks, S. A., & Archibald, J. (2020). The state of fraternity and Sorority Life in Higher Education. Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.20429/gcpa.2020.360103