Tobias Slaton still has scars on his skin from three cigarette burns he received due to hazing while on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Slaton, now a WSU Green Dot and Veterans Association member, said he didn’t say anything about the incidents because he didn’t want to shed a bad light on his military service with the group he loved.

He said today and in support of National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW), he stands against hazing in all forms.

The week, which began on Sunday, Sept. 23 and runs until Sept. 27, is organized by hazingprevention.org, a national anti-hazing organization. It is sponsored by groups on WSU’s campus including the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life.

Sarah Temple, the Panhellenic vice president of standards and accountability, said this is a campus-wide event. She said hazing occurs in various groups on campus, not specifically fraternities and sororities.

“I think we take a strong stance against it,” Temple said. “One thing I’m really proud of in our community is we say ‘this is not appropriate and we don’t stand behind this and support this in any way.’”

Temple said Washington is the only state in the United States with a zero tolerance hazing law.

Penni Reavis, the port services manager for the Pullman Police Department, said there has been one reported case of hazing in Pullman. This occurred in 2001 in Pullman High School. There were no charges pressed and the school worked with the students.

However, in 2012 Pi Beta Phi sorority lost WSU recognition and support after university conduct board investigations concluded that the sorority had participated in hazing and underage drinking, Dean of Students Melynda Huskey said in an interview following the occurence. Those sanctions will last until June of 2014.

Pullman Police Department Cmdr. Chris Tennant said hazing incidents are rarely reported. He said he thinks hazing is going on all the time on various levels, not only in fraternities and sororities, but in other groups as well.

“We almost never get involved in a hazing investigation,” Tennant said.

He believes parts of the reason hazing incidents aren’t reported is because individuals don’t consider themselves a victim.

Temple said punishments may vary depending on the group and situation. For example, she said the Greek community chapters are immediately unrecognized if they haze, no questions asked.

Slaton said by hazing, groups do not adhere to the values of their organization.

“You’re not promoting those values and ultimately you are creating a system that, even if you’re producing good results at the end, it will eventually catch up to you,” he said.

Hazing or anything malicious is cyclical, Slaton said. People have to make a conscious effort not to take part in the actions, but those who haze will haze, he said.

“Hazing can be done politely,” Slaton said. “That doesn’t mean that it’s right.”

 

The Week’s Events:

• On Sunday, freshmen and sophomore classes of Greek chapters attended a program with Mitch Crane, a speaker who talked about building better brothers and sisters.
• On Monday, chapter students who purchased hazing shirts signed a banner stating, “Take Your Oath Against Hazing at WSU.”
• Today from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Rho Gamma members will hand out flyers for the week’s food sponsors. All food purchases will be donated to hazingprevention.org.
• Tonight, there will be a screening of the documentary HAZE at 7 p.m. in the CUB Auditorium. The documentary covers the dangers of alcohol poisoning. There will also be presentations regarding special topics of hazing at 7:30 p.m. in the CUE. 
• Wednesday at noon, ASWSU is sponsoring NHPW for free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. At 1 p.m., there will be an expert panel in Butch’s Den. This includes conversations about current campus cultures with Joanne Greene from UREC, Nikki Finnestead from Green Dot, Adam Jussel from the Office of Student Standards and Accountability, and Michael Kamradt from the InterFraternity Council.
• Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. students have the opportunity to leave thoughts about hazing and NHPW on the mall. Later at 4:30 p.m. there will be a Remembrance Walk at Cougar Pride Statue.
• To finish off NHPW, there will be a free comedy night with Chris Lee at Nuthouse on Friday at 7 p.m.