Hazing article response
Jeremy Reis
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Letters to the Editor
Violations of any of the policies on the paper that all who are involved with pledging sign can result in the suspension of the Chapter president and/or pledge master. Under federal law, persons convicted of hazing can lose federal financial aide. Also, the chapter accused of hazing, would have to face a judicial hearing and face punishment from the judicial board. Hazing falls under the third degree offense in judicial hearings by-lines. The punishments can be no less than a letter on file in student activities for one calendar year, 50 hours of community service to be completed by the whole chapter, 3 one hour educational sessions, host/sponsor 2 year events, determined by the J board, time locked out of suite, and the chapter placed on 2 year probation or a semester of suspension. The punishments can be worse than any of these but the ones listed are the guidelines listed for the judicial board.
The Mirror states the concept of the article was brought up by a Greek, which I have no problem believing. The problem with the article that most Greeks have is that it was written by someone who has no idea about our pledging process nor does she have any experience with Greek life. Second of all, she used the Greek Advisor as a source in her article and never spoke to or contacted her.
A false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person or group is the definition of Libel. Although this article was not written for this purpose, the perception is there. As a Greek, I feel the false publication was there. The author stated that hazing occurs within Greek organizations, and there is not a single substantiated claim on campus. If my Lakeland college education serves me, I believe that statement is false. The malicious portion is where the perception of the comment comes into play. In a court of law, all that needs to be proven is the perception of intent to be malicious in which case the Greek O¬rganizations can prove that the article hurt the chances of recruiting new pledges.
This argument would have no basis had this article been run in the opinion section of the paper, but due to the fact that it was printed in the main body of the paper, I feel the Mirror should print a retraction, apologizing for defaming the name of all Greek Organizations.
The Mirror states the concept of the article was brought up by a Greek, which I have no problem believing. The problem with the article that most Greeks have is that it was written by someone who has no idea about our pledging process nor does she have any experience with Greek life. Second of all, she used the Greek Advisor as a source in her article and never spoke to or contacted her.
A false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person or group is the definition of Libel. Although this article was not written for this purpose, the perception is there. As a Greek, I feel the false publication was there. The author stated that hazing occurs within Greek organizations, and there is not a single substantiated claim on campus. If my Lakeland college education serves me, I believe that statement is false. The malicious portion is where the perception of the comment comes into play. In a court of law, all that needs to be proven is the perception of intent to be malicious in which case the Greek O¬rganizations can prove that the article hurt the chances of recruiting new pledges.
This argument would have no basis had this article been run in the opinion section of the paper, but due to the fact that it was printed in the main body of the paper, I feel the Mirror should print a retraction, apologizing for defaming the name of all Greek Organizations.
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Chauncey
posted 4/22/10 @ 12:45 AM CST
lol dude, you can't read.
The article doesn't say that Greeks sexually assault. That phrase was in the paragraph that started like, "What's the definition of hazing" or something like that. (Continued…)
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