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The March 20 editorial entitled “Axes, Roses & Cow Bones Oh My!” regarding hazing in professional fraternities has sparked much debate on campus, including a response from the Professional Fraternity Council Executive Board. I would like to personally address PFC’s concerns and defend the original editorial.
The PFC Executive Board claimed, “The standards we have set up are parallel to the hazing code of Pacific’s Tiger Lore.” I checked the Tiger Lore myself to see how these two standards of conduct compare. Section 12 of the Pacific Student Honor Code states: “The University will consider hazing to be any portion of the pledging and/or initiation process, whether on or off campus, which could cause discomfort, pain, fright, disgrace, embarrassment, injury or is personally degrading regardless of the intent or end result. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: … wearing public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste.” The last time I checked, cow bones are not in good taste. The Tiger Lore also says, “The fact that an activity is done with the consent of the persons involved does not exempt it from this policy.” Therefore, if an activity is considered hazing, it does not matter if pledges agree to participate- it is just as against the rules. The PFC Board claimed “none of the activities that we do are frivolous.” I would like to know how carrying a paddle promotes professionalism and fraternalism. Why are pledges even carrying paddles? Whether the paddles were actually used is irrelevant; the fear of potentially being paddled is enough to be considered hazing. As a Greek myself, I take offense to some professional fraternities blatant hazing on campus. While there are always rumors of hazing in social greek organizations, it is not paraded around campus for all to see. Professional fraternities seem to believe that they are above the law simply because they are professional organizations. However, nowhere in the Tiger Lore are professional organizations exempt from hazing laws. It is time for professional organizations to be held to the same standard as everyone else at this University. Nadia Mahallati Editor-In-Chief Views: 490
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