On Sunday, May 4, the world witnessed how strong the group mentality can be: girls in Northbrook, Ill., a prominent suburb of Chicago, engaged in an annual "powder puff" football game. What should have been a good time between the outgoing and incoming seniors turned into a deplorable hazing incident, resulting in the hospitalization of five girls. The victims were splattered with paint and fish entrails, choked with pig intestines and forced to consume feces. \n As deplorable as this event is, it provides the officials at Glenbrook North High School a chance to take a stand. The students who participated in this event had earlier signed a school honor code that holds students accountable for their actions on and off school grounds. Though this event was not school-sanctioned or held on school property, the officials at Glenbrook can severely punish the girls involved; however, the school has chosen to turn away from the event, denying responsibility and refusing to take decisive action.\nThough incidents of this magnitude have not occurred at IU, it is only a matter of time. Just last month, a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity was taken to the hospital due to injuries received in a hazing incident after he "lavaliered" his girlfriend. This student was severely bruised from paddling and injured by thrown eggs. Nearly every member of the chapter was present during this event, and none chose to stop it.\nThough the two events are completely unrelated, there are some similarities. Alcohol fueled the actions of both hazing parties, escalating events beyond control. Both victims were expecting a mild form of hazing, aimed more at embarrassment than injury. Both events resulted in hospitalization of victims. Hauntingly enough, in both incidents, educational institutions have shied away from punishing the perpetrators. Glenbrook North has stated that the most stringent punishment it will give is suspension from extracurricular events, and IU has yet to take action. \nThe officials at Glenbrook North and IU need to consider taking more proactive steps against hazing. When decisive action can discourage hazing, the reluctance of the educational institutions to take action is questionable. As educators, the school plays an important role in shaping the people of tomorrow; by ignoring the actions of wayward students, the school is in essence condoning the actions.\nIU needs to take action against students who engage in hazing activity, whether it is greek organizations, social clubs or sports teams. What may seem to be in good fun can quickly escalate, as past incidents have proven. There is no excuse for belittling, injuring and humiliating people, and IU should send that message to all those considering hazing as a form of initiation, punishment or a good time.
-- Brittany Ausmus for the Editorial Board
