Advocate warns students about hazing dangers

A former fraternity hazer and current advocate against hazing addressed several hundred members of the University of Maryland Greek community last week, using a hypothetical example to show hazing can, and in some cases, has led to death.

Dave Westol, the executive director of Theta Chi International Fraternity, has been delivering his speech "Hazing on Trial," to students on college campuses since 1981.

Westol led students through a hypothetical scenario pretending to be the president of a fraternity in which a pledge dies during hazing.

Except for the death, the speech is based on Westol's own personal experiences as a fraternity member at Michigan State University.

"If I can get some of you to think about what goes on in your chapters, your clubs, your athletic teams, your organizations, to question the people who believe in hazing … then I have not wasted your time," Westol said.

Brad Fowler, president of the campus chapter of Theta Chi, asked Westol to speak after he saw the speech delivered at a conference.

"What he has to say really makes sense," Fowler said, noting Westol's speaking style gives his words a strong impact.

Westol gave examples of hazing, including forcing new members to run sprints, to wear certain clothes and to drink alcohol. A chapter is hazing even if pressure is only implied — something Greek life director Matt Supple said many students don't realize.

Westol said every chapter has hazers, who are usually the least active members in the chapter.
"The strongest advocates for hazing, with a few exceptions, are the worst members of the chapter," he said.

Hazers deceive new members by pretending to be supportive, but this supportiveness disappears quickly when hazing begins, Westol said.

"If hazing is so great, how come we don't talk about it during recruitment?" he said.

Westol also stressed that new members of organizations should not feel compelled to endure hazing.

"If you think hazing is incorporated into a chapter you are in and if you think hazing is a natural consequence, you are wrong," he said.

Westol concluded his speech by encouraging audience members to stand up and confront hazers.

"If hazing is going on in your chapters, then somebody needs to stand up," he said.

Students said they thought the speech was informative and showed why hazing should be eliminated.

Seth Zonies, a sophomore fraternity member, said he hasn't personally encountered hazing but has heard of campus incidents he would consider hazing.

"I think he showed how silly hazing is," Zonies said. "I don't think there's any justification for hazing."