Georgetown College’s Student–Run Newspaper
September 20, 2017
Volume CXXXVII Issue 15
Georgetown College participates in National Hazing Prevention Week Campus continues taking steps to prevent and educate students about hazing By DOUG MOLLETT News Editor This week, Sept. 18—Sept. 22, is designated as Hazing Prevention Week on Georgetown College’s campus and campuses across the nation. National Hazing Prevention Week is put on by the non– profit organization HazingPrevention.org to better inform faculty, staff and students across the country about what needs to be done to prevent hazing. According to the organization, hazing is defined as “any action taken or any situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule and risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group or team, whether new or not, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.” Some examples of hazing that the college specifies in the student Code of Conduct are, “quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips…morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; late work sessions which interfere with scholastic activities or other
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college responsibilities.” Georgetown College is strongly against hazing. This week in particular the college is taking extra steps to teach students about the dangers of hazing. The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council (phc) are teaming up to host events advocating for hazing prevention. Ashton Trunnell, PHC President, said, “I believe fraternities and sororites were created on the foundations of academics, brotherhood or sisterhood, leadership and networking. Hazing is an action that does not uphold any of the foundational elements of an organization.” On Tuesday, outside of the Caf, students had the opportunity to put their handprints on a banner reading “These Hands Don’t Haze.” Many students participated and pledged that they would not participate in activities that would be considered hazing. Another way the college is advocating hazing prevention is by education. IFC and PHC are reaching out to sororities and fraternities to answer questions and clear up
some common misconceptions important. Members of all fraabout hazing. ternity and sorority chapters For example, students are encouraged to attend. were asked, “Who does hazing IFC and PHC also require prevention all fraterstart with?” nity and Other stusorority dents were members a s k e d , to sign “What does an anti– h a z i n g hazing look like?”, waiver “How can stating I help to that they prevent will not hazing?” particand “Does i p a t e h a z i n g in any r e a l l y activihappen on ties that Georgewould t o w n ’ s f a l l campus?” under IFC and the defithe PHC nition of The Georgetonian h a z i n g . are also using social Juniors Marcus Price and Josh T h o s e m e d i a , Brodzik: “These hands don’t haze.” w a i v e r s mainly Insare sent tagram, to educate people on to each organization’s national the common misconceptions governing body. about hazing. Aaron Benge, IFC PresiThe Kappa Alpha Order dent, said, “Hazing prevenis hosting a speaker on Thurs- tion is very important for day, Sept. 27, who will discuss individuals in fraternity and why hazing prevention is so sorority life to maintain a
high standard. By preventing hazing from happening on our campus, we are able to maintain a strong sense of community and harmony, not only within each respective organization, but across fraternity and sorority life as a whole.” Mimi Housewright serves on the PHC as the Gamma Chi Coordinator. She said, “Hazing exists, and sometimes there are major incidents… Women and men should be able to enjoy any sort of fraternity or sorority event without having to feel uncomfortable or forced in any way. She went on to say, “This also goes for anyone involved in any sort of group, be that sports, theatre, band, student council and so on.” There have been two hazing incidents involving two separate organizations at Georgetown College in the last two years. Hazing violations are investigated and handled by the Student Life Office. To report an incident of hazing, anonymous information can be submitted via the portal to the Student Life Office.
Keeneland partners with Churchill Downs page 3
Women’s Soccer picks up 1–0 victory page 5
OPINION: Matt Bevin is wrong about education page 11
Bryson Tiller performs at KFC Yum! Center page 8