hazing.cornell.edu a revealing look at hidden rites

National news

• Suppressing the Allure of College Hazing Rituals
  PBS NewsHour's Ray Suarez talks with psychologist Susan Lipkins and Cornell University's Travis Apgar, associate dean of students for fraternity, sorority and independent living (September 21, 2012). 
• A panel discussion on the Diane Rehm Show 
  (WAMU 88.5 in Washington DC), including David Skorton, discusses the dangers of hazing and what to do about it. Link directly to the audio recording (September 20, 2012).
•  Cornell's Promise: End Pledging As We Know It 
  Hazing (at Cornell and beyond) is explored by WBUR radio host, Robin Young, in her Here and Now interview. Cornell guests include Travis Apgar, Associate Dean of Students, and Timothy Marchell, Director of Mental Health Initiatives. Listen to the MP3 podcast (April 24, 2012). 
• When Hazing Goes Very Wrong 
  New York Times writer, Michael Winerip explores the death of Cornell sophomore, George Desdunes and discusses the role of alcohol in fraternity hazing (April 12, 2012).
•  Hazing Beyond the Frat House
  Allie Grasgreen's piece in Inside Higher Ed begins, "The hazing death of a Florida A&M drum major last month has exposed an open secret: hazing often happens outside fraternities, and its consequences are no less dire" (pdf) (December 23, 2011).
• Only Students Can Truly End Hazing
  Roland Martin wrote as a CNN Contributor: "Our goal as fraternity men is to take young men and mold and shape them to be better men. It is not our aim to take young men and train them to be collegiate mercenaries, hellbent on inflicting as much pain as they got onto the first person they have control over" (pdf) (December 18, 2011).
• The Brutal Side of Hazing
  Charles M. Blow wrote in the New York Times, "We must end hazing, and the 'conspiracy of silence' that shrouds the widespread practice in secrecy and shame" (pdf) (December 10, 2011).

• A Fraternity Hazing Gone Wrong
  A National Public Radio story by Elaine Korry explores the hazing death of a Chico State University fraternity pledge. It includes a powerful interview with the victim's mother and recordings of courtroom testimony from fraternity members (pdf) (November 14, 2005).

Cornell news

• Three frats have status changed due to hazing allegations
  An article identifying one fraternity placed on suspended status and two others on interim suspension as a result of allegations of hazing (March 3, 2013).
  
• End Hazing
  A letter to the editor written by Dan Meyer '87, President, Cornell University Alumni Interfraternity Council promoting specific actions to end the cycle of hazing (January 25, 2013).

• Changing Frat Culture, Beyond the Punishment
  An editorial suggesting a change in the initiation process will help eliminate the potential for hazing (January 22, 2013).

• Cornell Greek System Faces New Wave of Changes
  Cornell announced new policies that seek to substantially reform fraternity and sorority pledging in response to President David Skorton's challenge to "end pledging as we know it" (November 29, 2012).

• To Eliminate Fraternity Hazing, Pledging Must End
  The Sun's editors question the efficacy of a shortened new member period, advocating for the elimination of pledging "entirely" (November 29, 2012).

• Three Fraternities Temporarily Suspended After Allegations of 'Dangerous Behavior'
  The Acacia, Pi Kappa Phi and Tau Epsilon Phi fraternities were placed on interim suspension after the University received reports alleging that "dangerous behavior" — including hazing and high-risk drinking — occurred at the chapters (November 9, 2012).

• Ending Hazing Practices: This editorial lists the changes to Greek pledging proposed by the "Recruitment, Acceptance, Retention, and Education" committee, and urges that a shift toward reform come from within the Greek system (May 2, 2012).

• Plans Emerge for Pledging Restructuring: Sun writers, Jeff Stein and Rebecca Harris outline recommendations for pledging reform put forth by the "Recruitment, Acceptance, Retention, and Education" committee (May 2, 2012). 
• Clearing the Haze from Greek Life: In this editorial, ILR Junior, Jon Weinberg, reflects on the recent NY Times piece ("When Hazing Goes Very Wrong,") and explores why the end of hazing must come from within the student body, not from the Administration (April 25, 2012).
• After Skorton's Vow, Cornell Rethinks Pledging
  Offers an update to the RARE committee's goals and progress related to the reformation of the pledging process (March 7, 2012).
• Hazing is Here to Stay 
  A discussion about what is behind hazing and the difficultis with eradicating it (September 20, 2011).
• Letter to the Editor: Questioning whether 'Skorton is Right' 
  Argues that ending hazing-free pledging, not pledging itself is an important distinction to make (September 12, 2011).
• Burning Question: Hazing at Cornell (video) 
  Cornellians in Collegetown are asked whether they thought Skorton's goal was realistic (September 1, 2011).
• Examining the Pledge on Pledging 
  A look at whether Cornell's new initiative is enough (August 25, 2011).
• A Call to Lead
  President Skorton discusses his request to ban hazing (August 29, 2011).
• Greeks Struggle with Pledging Ultimatum
  Describes how Greek leaders are struggling to interpret the implications of Skorton's message and how to conform to these expectations (August 25, 2011).
• Dangerous Pledging Must End, Skorton Tells Greek Leaders
  Skorton calls on Greeks to stop "degrading, humiliating" actions (August 24, 2011).
• IFC Updates Definition of Hazing
  Redefines hazing, punishment, and recruitment process (April 21, 2011).
• Cornell Withdraws Recognition of SAE Following Death
  Covers the University's action to withdraw its recognition of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity for at least the next five years, following the Feb. 25 death of George Desdunes '13 (March 18, 2011).
• IFC Continues Hazing Investigation
  Explains how Cornell handles the investigation process of reports of hazing and discusses the status of two allegations made in the spring 2010 semester (pdf) (April 29, 2010).
• The Pain of Pledging: Hazing at Cornell
  Describes the student hazing experience, its consequences, and Cornell's approach to preventing acts of hazing on campus (pdf) (February 4, 2010).
• C.U. Works to Eliminate Hazing in Greek System
  Reviews the recent strategies put in place to stop hazing practices (pdf) (February 6, 2008).
• C.U. Fraternity Suspended for Hazing
  Description of response to a February hazing incident (pdf) (March 26, 2007).
• Effects of Hazing Last Long After Pledging Process  
  Review of a Cornell case of hazing and discusses both the definitions and impact of such behavior (pdf) (January 26, 2007).
• Study Finds Discrepancy in Perception of Hazing
  Offers insight into the results of a study that looked at the occurrences and issues related to hazing at Cornell (pdf) (March 3, 2005).
• Gray Areas of 'Hazing'  
  Argues that some practices defined by institutions as hazing serve important functions (pdf) (October 15, 2004).
• Hazing Undermines Spirit of Sport
  Contends that hazing has no role to play in sports (pdf) (October 7, 2004).

 Additional media stories 

• Stophazing.org 
  This site serves as a resource for accurate, up-to-date hazing information for students, parents, and educators. The site includes links to news stories about hazing. Over 30,000 visitors access the site each month.  

• Hazing.hanknuwer.com  
  Author Hank Nuwer's site serves as an "Unofficial Clearinghouse to Track Hazing Deaths and Incidents."