The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, September 27, 1994, Page 3, Image 3
Speaker: Hazing unties instead of unites By Chuck Isom_ Staff Reporter Hazing. For the Greek system at UNL and houses across the country, that word has meant legal difficulties, declining memberships and has led to an overall negative view of the greek system in general. David Westol, executive director for Theta Chi International Frater nity, doesn’t think it should be that way. “Hazing is wrong,” Westol told a combined audience of about 2,000 fraternity and sorority members Mon day night. “You are playing with the physical well-being of young men and women. Hazing hurts your frater nity or sorority more than it could ever help it.” Westol gave two speeches, each titled “Hazingon Trial.” Each speech lasted around an hour and a half. During this time span Westol gave examples that hazing isn’t what it appears to be. It’snot the builderofa strong brother or sister or the forging of a solid house. He spoke of the methods that some fraternities used to “build unity,” such as making all pledges wear the same clothes, an identifying symbol such as a pledge pin or a pledge paddle, or making them enter the house through a back door. These don’t create unity, Westol said, they destroy individuality. “Hazing slowly errods at the self confidence of the pledges. They have people that they respect yelling at them, telling them that they are noth ing. “Hazers are bullies. If you haze theft you are a bully.” Westol said. “That’s all a bully is. A person who is taking advantage of being in a place of power. Bullies are afraid of what they are picking on.” Westol said that if members in the audience had hazing in their houses and if they were so proud of it, they should mention it in their pledge bro chures. He also asked the students to think about the members of the fraternity or sorority who are the most excited about hazing. “Are these the people who attend all the chapter meetings' Are these the people who attend all the rituals? Are these the people who present a good image of the fraternity? More than likely not. The ones who believe in hazing are not the valued members of a fraternity.” Westol gave some suggestions how the Greek system can reduce the haz ing incidences. He explained how some private institutions have elimi nated pledging altogether or have shortened it to three weeks. He said greek organizations should inititate members quickly, then edu cate members about the house throughout their collegiate careers, reers. Westol said he gave his speech 30 to35timesayear. Hesaidhe enjoyed speaking at colleges. Westol, who admits that he was hazed in his frater nity and in turn hazed new pledges, speaks out against hazing. He asks students who are being hazed to speak out and try to find help. ‘‘You can stand up to the individu als who want you to do something you don’t want to,” Westol said. Visit Continued from Page 1 he said. “The entire gang would just swarm you and beat you until they thought you had enough. “After they were finished, ev erything was fine. They would help you up, straighten yourjacket, brush you off and buy you a drink just like nothing ever happened.” Nelson said the victims of these attacks were chosen almost at ran dom and often for trivial reasons. “I once saw a guy get stomped just for accidentally bumping Into a Mafia member on the dance floor,” he said. Nelson said he thought the most important lesson he learned on his trip was that Americans made ter rible tourists. “Whenever l saw other Ameri cans in St. Petersburg, I would avoid them at all costs,” he said. “They just don’t realize how dangerous Russia can be.” Nelson said the ignorance of American tourists was made pain fully obvious when thousands of them flocked to St. Petersburg for the Goodwill Games last summer. “People would stand out in the streets, just flashing huge amounts of cash, not even thinking about what could happen,” he said. “Police had to come in from all around to protect these people from muggers. But it was still a pretty dangerous situation.” Despite his bad experiences with both crime and the law, Nelson said he learned a lot and planned to return to Russia soon. “The thing about most Ameri cans,” Nelson said, “is that they have a hard time learning the be haviors and adjusting to a foreign country. That is what usually cre ates the elements of danger.” Nelson said danger could be avoided with proper precautions. He said he learned his lessons dur ing his stay in Russia and planned to stay safer on his next visit. “It’s all just a matter of using your head,” he said. “I’m pretty sure I won’t have as rough an expe rience next time.” _ American Heart Association This space provided as a public service. ©1993, American Heart Association UNI C ■ I t « r • C • • t • r Mimti ^ 4mn »nniver aery Harmony X* open {louse reception a V / • > 1 _ * « Wednesday, septajnber 28, 1994 *. 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