October 18, 2006 - West Virginia Wesleyan College has established a “disappearing task force” to examine hazing policies and practices to try and eliminate hazing practices students may be involved in all over campus.

According to the International Fraternity and Sorority Standards, “Hazing” refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group, or to maintain full status in a group, that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate.Nationally, in years past, hazing practices were typically considered harmless pranks or comical antics associated with young men in college fraternities.However, it has now become more apparent that hazing extends far beyond college fraternities and sororities and is experienced by men and women in school groups, university organizations, athletic teams, the military, and other social and professional organizations.

 “A recent teleconference, in which many of the student affairs staff members participated highlighted these growing concerns and the need for colleges and universities to be proactive in addressing this issue.” said Julie Keehner, Dean of Students. The council will be reviewing West Virginia Wesleyan College’s present hazing policy to determine if it is satisfactory for this point in time, assess present educational efforts regarding hazing and how to improve these efforts, determine how to heighten awareness of present hazing practices, and consider what to do after the task force is completed regarding proceeding with educational efforts and developing an ongoing committee to address the issue.

The West Virginia Hazing Law that went into effect May 5, 1995 states, “...to [haze is to] cause any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another person or persons or causes another person or persons to destroy or remove public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission or affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership with, any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized by an institution of higher education...” The law further states: “...That the implied or expressed consent or willingness of a person or persons to hazing shall not be a defense under this section.”

I think one of the most important things we can do as this task force is to be proactive in terms of education.” said Greek Affairs Coordinator John Bohman. “By educating the every organization on this campus, we hope to educate and create awareness and showing the students that there is another way to bond besides hazing.”

Shaina Winternitz