Two Interfraternity Council fraternities are currently under investigation for hazing pledges, according to Director of Kristin Torrey. But many students remain undisturbed by the practice's presence on campus.

According to the Office of Greek Life, hazing includes any activity that subjects members to harassment, ridicule, intimidation, physical exhaustion, abuse or mental distress.

Past examples include forced cleanings in Towers suites and forcing students to watch movies after drinking two liters of soda without a bathroom break.

Though rumors, movies and television often give the impression that hazing solely exists in Greek organizations, the prevalence and severity of hazing on campus often gets blown out proportion, according to senior Andrew Wong, former IFC president. He also said different degrees of hazing exist, pointing out that if a pledge remains in a chapter's house past midnight it is considered hazing, even if he is just talking to a brother.

According to Associate Dean of Students Steve Caldwell, hazing is not exclusive to fraternities and sororities. He said honoraries, club sports teams and service organizations have also been found guilty of hazing practices.
 
Both Greek and non-Greek students said they understand the different types of hazing and that they believe hazing for the most part is not a problem on campus.

"Hazing is part of joining a fraternity. If I joined one, I would expect to be succumbed to it," said non-Greek first-year student Anthony Steil.

"I don't think hazing is an issue on Vandy's campus. While there have been cases where it gets out of control, the majority of hazing within fraternities center around doing annoying errands or driving people around," said sophomore Ellie Zantzinger. "Safe hazing is OK but dangerous hazing is bullying and unacceptable."

The students interviewed said they believed hazing served as a bonding experience within organizations.

"While hazing exists on a variety of levels, some not so pleasant, I think that frat boys look out for each other and grow closer from their experiences," said a sophomore woman, who asked to remain anonymous because she is heavily involved in the Greek community.

Despite this belief, the IFC has a zero tolerance policy on hazing. When an issue arises, they look at each investigation case by case.

"Every year we have several cases of hazing," Wong said. "However, hazing is ambiguous and some cases are more or less severe than others. So our punishments for fraternities found guilty of hazing differ. While social probation is a common punishment, we also like to think outside of the box and incorporate learning programs in which fraternities can internally learn a lesson while also benefiting the community, as well."

Two fraternities have been removed from campus in the past five years, according to Torrey. She said one of those was because the chapter was found guilty of hazing. 

Steps have been made by both the IFC as well as the Office of Greek Life to prevent hazing in the future. In order to review and reinforce expectations, fraternity members now sign an anti-hazing statement twice a year. Fraternity members also attend programs that explain the boundaries of hazing. The Office of Greek Life encourages the use of the hazing hotline (343-STOP) if anyone suspects any incidence of hazing.

"(The hotline) was set up so that hazing incidents could be anonymously reported to the university by anyone who knew of suspicious behavior occurring in the community," said Director of Greek Life Kristin Torrey. "It is important for everyone in the Vanderbilt community to be a part of the solution. Don't be a bystander. If you see something, (then) say something and do something about it. Do not just sit back and allow hazing to occur."

Though new programs were created to promote the wellbeing of new members, students question whether they will be effective.

"I think a lot of these new programs aren't going to be effective because of what goes on behind closed doors," said junior Alex Barry. 

"(The new programs) may in fact be dangerous, because students will be more secretive and less willing to seek help if need be," Zantzinger said.