UW-Madison sent a cordial recommendation via email to every active fraternity member on campus Wednesday to refrain from accidentally or intentionally murdering any of their new pledging members.
Adding that it would be really nice to avoid being embarrassed on a national level, the reminder mentioned that the university discourages hazing in any form but understands that it can sometimes be a necessary part of brotherhood.
“Are guys going to get hurt? Of course. But for minor injuries we might not even have to discipline the frats,” UW Greek Life Coordinator Tasos Padalakos told The Daily Cardinal.
During the pledging period, typically in the beginning of the semester, it is commonplace for the male Greek Life houses to subject newer members to a series of daunting tasks which involve emotional, sexual and physical humiliation. Some of the bonding rituals can be quite dangerous and violent in nature.
“It’s been more than decade since the last time my chapter killed a pledge,” an anonymous fraternity member told The Cardinal. “I think we have a pretty good chance of continuing that this year as long as no one gets too carried away during the baseball bat activity.”
Padalakos said the reminder is sent out annually in an effort to maximize the rich Greek culture on campus, as another hazing death would probably result in at least a suspension for the offending chapter.
“We aren’t telling the frats not to have ANY fun,” Padalakos said. “Just that if they are going to force their pledges to sit nude on a stove top, maybe turn the heat down from high to medium.”
