Despite the men's lacrosse club team's recent hazing-induced suspension, hazing does not appear to be a reccuring problem at Marquette.
Before the lacrosse team was suspended last month, the last act defined as hazing at Marquette occurred in December 1992 when the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity's charter was revoked as a result of hazing.
The fraternity set an intoxicated member on fire, causing second degree burns to 22 percent of his body, at its home which was located at 1922 W. Kilbourn Ave., according to back issues of The Marquette Tribune. In January of 1993 the university revoked the fraternity's charter.
According to Stephanie Quade, associate dean in the office of student development, Marquette does not have a real problem with hazing so much as it does have a problem with alcohol.
All hazing incidents in the past twenty years at Marquette have been alcohol related. Before the fraternity was charged with hazing in the early '90s, the men's rugby club team was charged with hazing in 1989. The team elected a "Rugby Queen" and sang her 'anthem' which depicted female anatomy, according to Tribune back issues.
"Almost every incident involving vandalism, harassment and hazing has been alcohol-related," Quade said.
More recently the Sigma Phi Delta fraternity was suspended for one year after it violated the rules of the Interfraternal Council Risk Management Policy, according to Andrew Cleary, coordinator for campus activities and Greek life. As a result of the suspension the fraternity was forced to vacate its on-campus home — the Haggerty House, 910 N. Renee Row.
The suspension ends in June.
When a club sport or a fraternity is suspended, the Office of Student Affairs works with the organization to get it back on its feet.
We say "Let's work together to get you back on good standing," said the Rev. Andy Thon, vice president of Student Affairs.
The Division of Student Affairs is working with the lacrosse team to get them back in good standing. After the university returns from Thanksgiving break, a meeting will be held with members of the lacrosse team and Student Affairs.
The Marquette Student Organization Handbook states that hazing can involve "any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; or which inflicts or intends to cause mental or physical harm."
"The university stands by its policy," Quade said.
Over time the policy has been modified. The policy was changed to respond to electronic harassment, such as threatening e-mails.
"In addressing student conduct it is essential to be as direct as possible," Quade added. "The university has no tolerance for hazing, clearly."
If hazing occurs, Student Affairs would not be the only organization notified.
"If we hear of any kind of hazing in a fraternity or sorority, we immediately report it to the national headquarters (of the organization) and the alumni," Cleary said.
Anna Titulaer, program assistant for Greek life and a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, thinks the reason there's not a hazing problem is the size of Marquette's Greek System.
"Our Greek system isn't huge — it is more manageable than state schools," Titulaer said.
She said people who are in fraternities and sororities are looking to get a positive experience out of it.
Titulaer is a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. The organization participates in "counter-hazing" in which new members receive candy, flowers and gifts, she said.
Cleary doesn't foresee any problem with hazing in the future.
Web sites such as www.stophazing.org have been established to serve as a resource for hazing awareness and education and there are also a number of conferences about hazing.
A conference called "Hazing in Wisconsin" will touch on developing a school strategy to overcome hazing. The conference is Jan. 27, 2006, in Brookfield. A representative from Marquette is planning to attend, Cleary said.