In the last year, there have been eight fraternity violations that have been disclosed by the University of South Carolina in compliance with the Tucker Hipps Transparency Act. There are four fraternities that are currently suspended for violations ranging from alcohol, drugs, physical assault and hazing. The most recent fraternity suspension was placed on the popular Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity.
TKE was suspended after “the chapter failed to comply with the previous sanctions” that were imposed after an anonymous source raised “concerns related to personal servitude, calisthenics, alcohol, verbal harassment, and inappropriate activities in the new member education experience” earlier this year.
Rumors have spread around campus about hazing rituals involving use of bodily fluids to physically harm pledges in the fraternity, but none of this has been confirmed by the university. The frat is suspended until 2022, which suggests a serious violation in the least.
The Tucker Hipps Foundation is doing an amazing job of raising hazing awareness in light of the death of Clemson student Tucker Hipps in 2014. With the new bill in his name, South Carolina universities now have to disclose fraternity violations in writing for the public. However, as seen in the brief explanation given on the USC website, details do not have to be specific by any means.
In order for there to be change in the way fraternities process new pledges without hazing, a lot more attention should be placed on the disgusting and evil acts that students are placing on their supposed “brothers.”
So much goes on behind closed doors because pledges and members are afraid to “snitch” and face more torment by telling the truth. However, I believe if half the hazing that fraternities did came to light on campus, more than just suspensions would be implemented.
Hazing in South Carolina is included in statute §59-101-200 and places the responsibility of punishment on the university or institution president. However, many forms of hazing go far beyond what one could call bullying that can be solved with a simple suspension.
Laws must be changed to make it easier to prosecute specific members of fraternities imposing torturous hazing rituals. Institutionally, hazing is supported because of the lack of attention placed on the crimes. Universities want to handle things the easy way and with the least bad press by keeping violations low-key.
In order for fraternity culture to change, stronger consequences must be enforced. Organizations claiming to offer brotherhood and charity should be required to do just that.