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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 30, 1963)
Clarifying the Hazing Issue Last week the Emerald said in an edit orial that perversion had occurred in con nection with fraternity hazing. This infor mation came from reliable sources in which we had much confidence. After investiga tion, however, we have found no proof to substantiate this accusation in any way. We regret any damage that such a charge unjustly did to the University’s fraternity system or its members. We are sorry to find that the matter of perversion has obscured the main issue, the widespread hazing which many people have admitted occurred on this campus within the past few weeks. We hope that the in vestigation now being conducted by the Office of Student Affairs will help eliminate the whole range of objectionable practices which has traditionally been a part of haz ing activities. We also believe that the perversion mat ter should not influence the investigation of those houses charged with other hazing. For example, excessive hacking is not made any more acceptable by the absence of some other practice. Although we are in complete agreement with the tone and severity of University President Arthur S. Flemming’s statement on hazing, we also realize that the state ment has, because of this severity, made it more difficult for the Office of Student Af fairs to gather information. Nevertheless, we are confident that the investigation will gain sufficient informa tion for President Flemming to make an equitable decision. The eventual result should be beneficial to the entire fraternity system. Footnote In last Friday’s paper, the Emerald ran a series of questions on Arab-Israel. In all fairness to the two students who answered the questions, we should point out, even at this late date, that the last two questions and the answers submitted for them were left out. in both cases obscuring the mean ing to some degree. The omissions were made because of a misjudgment on the amount of space avail able, and we offer our sincere apologies to the authors, Tony David and Maher Quad dumi, for the damage done to their presen tations. Another Campus Looks At Hazing The following column is re printed from the January 10 edition of the Daily Texan, student newspaper of the Uni versity of Texas. It helps show how hazing is being con sidered on a campus other than our own. * * * “A law is only as good as the people it is made for!” Two years ago in California a college freshman was murdered by his fraternity brothers-to-be. He was dead at 18. strangled to death by a piece of liver forced down his throat during “hell week” activities. Four years ago in Ohio anoth er college freshman of 19 years was electrocuted during “fun and games week” when he was placed on a bare mattress springs connected to an electric current. The boys responsible were heartbroken. It was all in “fun.” This type of “fun” has been responsible for more lives taken than the two examples listed here. When will the headlines shout of another murder com mitted just in “fun?” Not only at the University, but throughout the nation, many fraternities have already begun to prepare for “hell-week” ac tivities and initiation ceremon ies. Hell weeK is me period De fore the informal initiation night, usually five days. This event usually takes plate the first week after spring registra tion. The schedule of activities is designed for the pledges that have survived the various “ral lies” and passing of the black ball box during tneir regular pledgeship training. The final period before initiation is like sadistic icing on the cake for the members. During the period, now polite ly referred to by many as “help week,” the pledges are subject ed to midnight smokers, food eating contests, physical work outs, and mental hazing. Midnight smokers consist of each pledge smoking a cigar in extremely closed quarters — a locked closet or under a wet blanket. Food eating contests are de signed to see which pledge can hold do wn the largest amount of some stomach-turning concoc tion, usually spiced with an am ple amount of hot peppers. Physical workouts are com posed of pushups, holding heavy loads with the arms outstretched over long periods time, duck walking, and any other exercise a member might entertain in his mind. Mental hazing is constant. At all times the pledge is reminded that he just might not be accept ed for membership. He is quizzed on chapter history. Greek alphabet, and fraternity rules in general This all takes place during the week. And the pledge receives little or no sleep during the en tire week. Once the ‘ hell week" is over, the pledge has informal initia tion to look forward to. These initiations are always secret, but they climax and outdo the trials of “hell week.” Fortunately they last only a few hours. The big question remains: “Has there been something done to eliminate this hazing?” The answer is “yes,” some-' thing has been done. The stu dent regulations handbook at the University in Appendix A, section 12 reads: “So-called "hell week” practices have been abol ished, and their revival is strict ly forbidden.” Article 1152 of the Texas Pen al Code calls for a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $250 and a jail sentence of not less than 10 days nor more than three months or both. With such well-defined laws and regulations, one would be led to believe that the practice of hazing is on the way out. But far to the contrary, the practice is very much alive. When will its stop? Only when the members of the fraternities begin to act like the men they say they are. Only when the members be come mature enough to see a mature outlook on life. Let’s hope that day is not too far in the future. —Wes Hocker Letters to the Editor Booing Is Good Emerald Editor: I am glad I attend the Univer sity of Oregon. Before, I thought that booing, whistling, and oth erwise throwing tantrums while opposing players threw free throws was childish and poor sportsmanship. Now that I am a College Man, I have learned that these ideas are old fashion ed, Booing is Good. This is how we show school spirit. I am glad I attend the Univer sity of Oregon. James W. McCoy Math Graduate * * s> Matter of Alliance Emerald Editor: In regard to Mr. Tom Hoyt’s contention that Harry Bridges is closely allied with the Demo cratic party, I think he might do well to check the rolls of his own party, for it is a well-known fact that Bridges is a registered Republican. William Wroth Graduate in Political Science * * * Crusading Editor Emerald Editor: One cannot help but be in trigued with the investigation of fraternity hazing which has ten tatively concluded that the al leged evils are nothing more than the delusions of a crusad ing editor. Those who foresaw the outcome and from it con cluded that the affair was pur poseless were unduly pessimis tic: on the contrary, it has pro vided valuable insight into the survival proclivities of the poli tician. J. W. Barchfield Economics Graduate About Letters Letters to the editor must be signed and should include, if from a student, the writer’s year and major. If not from a student they should contain the writer's position at the Univer sity or his address. There is no maximum length for letters but those under 300 words will be given preferen tial treatment. Letters should be typewritten and double spac ed. The Emerald will also publish intelligently-written columns of campus or more general interest either by students or faculty members. Columns submitted should also be double spaced. Preferred length is between two and three typewritten pages. FiU-'e*; up." Letters to the Editor On Socratic Method Emerald Editor: I was astonished to learn in Professor Summer’s letter on Monday that "the lecture went out with the invention of the printing press," and the Socratic method should replace the lec ture system across the board, and at all levels. Professor Summers stated that he has seen the method work well in classes of one hundred and fifty, adding the somewhat hasty conclusion that it will therefore work anywhere. What he neglected to point out was that his observation was made at the law school level, hardly a convincing basis upon which to build such an ambi tious scheme. In short, we have been given nothing but an opinion that the Socratic method is an excellent teaching device. And it is—in its place. But how many of us would survive in a physics or calculus class with a text hook, a pile of mimeographed sheets and class notes which border on chaos? The syllogism used by Profes sor Summers appears to be this: The goal of the liberal educa tion is to develop critical judg ment; the Socratic method is the best means of developing this faculty; therefore, the Soc ratic method should replace the lecture method. To put it mild ly, this is less than compelling In the first place, it ignores the very real difference between the goal of education and the means utilized in each class in con tributing toward that goal. It would seem that the goal can best be reached by lecture in cases where the Socratic meth od isn’t practicable. But Profes sor Summers assures us that there aren’t any such situations. The only thing notable about this contention is a conspicuous lack of proof to support it. The development of critical judgment comes to students through an assimilation of fac tual matter and mental exer cise, combined with native abil ity. Some classes, because of size, quality of participants and subject matter, lend themselves to the Socratic method of en hancing this assimilation; oth ers simply do noi. Moreover, if there is a good argument for indiscriminate adoption of the Socratic method, Professor Summers hasn’t shar ed with us. The scanty substan tiation of his view .is exceeded only by his apparent unwilling ness to recognize and dispose of the serious problems which would arise. It is understandable that one would subscribe to such an ex cellent, though limited, teach ing method as a matter of per sonal preference. But l submit that zealous infatuation with a theory, however commendable, is no excuse for gross over-gen eralization and no substitute for close "examination of the facts. Robert Burns First Year l.aw Hoyt Proposal Emerald Editor: A thorough dissection of Tom Hoyt's letter of Jan. 25 would require more time and verbiage than 1 am willing to expend at this moment. One point, how ever, must be challenged Hoyt’s contention that "one of the ma jor responsibilities of University political clubs is to uphold the reputation of the University of Oregon”. Two definitional problems arise Who. besides Mr Hoyt, views the "responsibility" of po litical clubs in this manner? Second, who defines "reputa tion ? My own personal approach to the latter in this context would be to grant prestige - ic, a good reputation—to that university which not only allows but open ly encourages controversy Free dom of thought, it seems to me, is the hallmark of those institu tions universally acknowledged as prestigious. For the Univer sity of Oregon to become one of these should be the goal of any concerned with its “reputation”. The appearance of Gus Hall on this campus moved the institu tion towards that goal Mr. Hoyt’s proposal would only neg ate that advance. David Dobkin Graduate in Political Science OREGON DAILY EMERALD The Oregon Daily Emerald in published ■even times in September ttui five dl) * a week during the sclioal year, except dur ing examination and vacation period- by the Student Publications Board of the University of Oregon. Kntcred a*, second clans matter at the post office, Eugene, Oregon. Subscription rates: $5 per year; $2 per team. Opinions expres-rd on the editorial page ase tho^c of The Emerald,and do not pre tend to represent the opinion* of tie ASUO or tlie University. HON IIUEL, Editor MART V KLTELS, Business Manager TKI) MAHARf Managing Editor EVEKKTTK DENNIS. News Editor PHIL COGSWELL, Editorial Pate Editor LARKy WILLIAMS, Adt ertising Manager LA R K V (IRA V'ES, Sports Editor Dl LCV MORAN, Assistant Mauajfing Ed tor DAVE SANDS, JIM FRAKK, JANET GOETZE. Assistant News Editors GEORGE HTGHAM, Photo Editor LIND/ HRC \VN, Kntcrtairm nit Editor HON COWAN, CATHY NE I LLE, THOR A WILLIAM! , Associate News Editot * EDITORIAL BOARD : Ron Duel, Phil Cogft'vell, red Mahar K rette Dennis, Davt Sands I nicy Moran. Linda Irown Bob Forsyth Ora .t Ledgerwood. Dor ( R;;grn Jan t Gcetze, and f ill H atchUon
