Caroline Bryant
The Southern Editor
As a student who attends a school that prides itself on its anti-hazing legislation, it was shocking to hear that organizations my peers from home belong to were getting in trouble for it.
On March 1, the University of Maryland’s Student Affairs division sent a letter to all interfraternity organizations ordering them to cease all activities. The letter stated that the division warned sororities and fraternities about their behavior the day before. They decided to take action once new rumors of hazing emerged. NBC Washington stated that professional, multicultural and chapters of The Divine Nine were not included.
Anonymous hazing allegations included, but were not limited to, being forced to lay on a bed of nails, being forced to consume large amounts of alcohol, being beaten with paddles, being burned with cigarettes, being forced to eat non-food items, public humiliation, etc.
According to WBAL, initiated members were instructed not to speak with new members. Police investigated all homes on Greek Row. Even warrants were requested for Group Me.
After two weeks, UMD’s newspaper, The Diamondback, stated that the order was lifted for 32 Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association chapters. The five that remain on the order are all fraternities, including Lambda Chi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Order, Phi Sigma Kappa, Sigma Nu and Zeta Beta Tau.
Yet, the Alpha Psi chapter of Theta Chi continues to be the main plaintiff in the lawsuit for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against James Bond, the Director of Student Conduct. In the case document, the plaintiffs “filed this case to protect and remediate their rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.”
They claimed that restricting speech between new and initiated members, and banning the operations of organizational practices of chapters whose behavior was not of concern violated their First Amendment rights. Feelings of loneliness became anxiety, with the lawsuit stating: “New members may feel isolated and alienated while they are unable to establish relationships and bonds with active members, which may hinder their ability to fully integrate into a fraternity’s social structure, particularly during school breaks.”
Later, the case mentioned that the university prevented their right to due process. All 37 chapters were put on sanction, even if they were not “accused of any misconduct, let alone found responsible for wrongdoing.”
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown’s office believes that the restraining order should be denied. While I am unsure if the request will be granted, I think someone needed to take legal action.
While I am not a legal expert, there are a few things in my Communication Law and Ethics class that I have learned. The first is the purpose of freedom of speech is to “encourage self-fulfillment and participate in social and political decision-making.”
For many, being a member of Greek life is a factor in self-fulfillment, as it can provide one with opportunities to make new friends, gain leadership skills and give back to causes they care about. Such self-fulfillment is done through social and political decision-making, as many activities engaged in by an organization are decided by an executive board or leaders voted in by members.
Even though two weeks doesn’t seem long, the activities that lead to self-fulfillment were paused due to the restrictions. According to the plaintiffs, several initiations and philanthropic events were canceled. Knowing how long it takes to plan a philanthropy week, those events will likely need to be postponed for the next semester.
This, then, leads to more than a First Amendment issue, as their cause is now lacking the monetary support they were supposed to earn from these events.
I also think the restraining order was a way for the plaintiffs to clear their names. None of the plaintiffs – Theta Chi, Alpha Sigma Phi and Alpha Tau Omega – were found guilty of hazing. These chapters’ punishments, however, insinuate to the public that they were. If a restraining order is granted, the Student Affairs Division and Bond can (temporarily) do no more harm.
Though, I fear this is a double-edged sword. The lawsuit may have silenced UMD students who have been affected by hazing. If the restraining order passes, the school can’t regulate Greek activities. Since consequences would be out of the picture, this may lead to an increase in foul play.
Another Diamondback article stated that when offered to anonymously address concerns about hazing in their chapter, answers were minimal. Yet, chapter presidents provided no “substantive information.” They also did not include chapter names. That said, it is possible members could be punished for “snitching” or trying to bring awareness to hazing.
I think it is essential for young people to learn about hazing, hazing prevention and how to properly report hazing. I think this is what the school wanted the restrictions to do. However, I believe their actions were so excessive that no one cares about hazing education right now. They care about protecting their chapter and returning to normal.
