Shaw: A Light Punishment?
By Yesuto Shaw, Guest Columnist
Published on Monday, February 11, 2013
Even though I am away from Dartmouth this term, I have still been following the conversations regarding the hazing-related sanctions recently given to Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. It seems that many people believe that these punishments, which included three terms of College probation starting this winter, were too light. Some have even speculated that the administration did not mete out harsher punishments to Alpha Phi Alpha because it is currently the only predominately black fraternity on campus. However, those setting forth this speculation are missing some crucial information.
When I originally talked to the Greek Letter Organizations and Societies office last October, the new, stricter policies on hazing had only recently gone into effect. As I explained my situation to the director, I originally refrained from disclosing which fraternity I was hazed by and told him that I wanted to know what the consequences for the fraternity would be if I submitted a hazing report. He explained to me that the administration had decided to give all Greek organizations a short grace period of one month after the new policies were put into effect.
During this grace period, GLOS would give lighter punishments to Greek organizations that came forward and admitted hazing or to those that were accused of hazing. The consequences of reporting hazing would primarily be focused on educating the organizations on how to make initiation procedures more positive and beneficial for new members. I was told, near the end of October, that the grace period would end and that I could choose to submit my report either during the grace period or after it had ended.
I chose the former option. I chose to report Alpha Phi Alpha with assurances that the (previously undisclosed) fraternity I reported would not be derecognized, but would have their consequences more focused on education than on punishment. I chose this route because I did not want to see Alpha Phi Alpha removed from Dartmouth’s campus. I had grown to respect the organization and I thought that it was good that the organization exists for students who want to be a part of it. When I was hazed, my general opinion on the organization did not change because of what I believe to have been behind the hazing.
It is my opinion that the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha thought that they were doing some good to the pledges by initiating us in the way that they did. I believe that they thought that a difficult pledge process was necessary to build character and camaraderie within the fraternity. However, I disagree with the way that they went about this. And, when I expressed my views, I was told that I could not be part of the fraternity any other way and that they would continue initiating future pledge lines with the same, arguably abusive, process. When I saw that I, alone, could not get through to them, I decided that the administration, as well as public opinion, might be able to do a better job. That is the reason that I reported them and part of the reason that I wrote my original article (“Through the Looking Glass: Let the Hazing Begin,” Oct. 19, 2012). I also believe that similar reasons may be behind the hazing that still goes on at other fraternities and sororities at Dartmouth. I do not believe that all of the fraternities and sororities that haze do so with bad intentions. However, whether it involves physical beatings, emotional abuse or encouraged alcohol abuse, this hazing needs to stop. And I still believe that it will only stop when the upperclassmen realize that it is harmful and that there are better options for building character and camaraderie, as well as when the pledges refuse to be put through things that harm or degrade them.
So, I hope that, due to continued conversation surrounding the issue, no more reporting of hazing will be necessary. But, if it does continue to persist, I hope that other individuals will be willing to report it to bring about necessary change. At the same time, I am glad that the Theta Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity continues to exist at Dartmouth, because I still have hope for it. And, while there are surely problems, I still have hope for the fraternities and sororities of Dartmouth at large.
Claims that Alpha Phi Alpha received a lighter punishment because of a grace period prior to implementing the new, stricter hazing standards ring hollow, given that other organizations, for conduct less egregious than this, received harsher punishments in the past under the old standards that were in place during this grace period.
By Anon on Feb 11 | 8:22 am
The column leaves more questions than answers. When did this one month grace period alleged start?
Wes Schaub personally told me last winter that the next three organizations caught hazing would be kicked off campus. Then earlier this year the head of S&S said each organization would get one free pass. Charlotte Johnson said behavior would be forgiven if it did not involve physical harm.
None of these conditions would apply to Alpha Phi Alpha’s hazing.
Why is this information just coming out now, after campus has been screaming for months about the free pass given to the Alpha.
It is clear that their is a cover up coming from the highest levels of the administration trying to protect the racial double standards in parkhurst. Dean Johnson needs to come clean about this level of racism!
By D 12 on Feb 11 | 10:23 am
If The D was a serious news organization, they would sit down Wes Schaub and Yesuto Shaw in separate rooms and ask them for details on their alleged meetings. Without proof these allegations of Black Privilege will not go away.
By Give me a break! on Feb 11 | 10:27 am
Talk about Black Privilege! I don’t know what is more pathetic. The administrations belief that no one would point out the light punishment given to Alpha or that anyone would believe this blatant cover up!
By Betty 15 on Feb 11 | 10:30 am
I am very disappointed in you Mr. Shaw. When I read your piece in the mirror, I thought you had courage.
I Was Wrong
By participating in this cover up, and putting your race in front of the truth you are escalating the Dartmouth race war.
The next Mock Chinese attack is on you!
By Disappointed on Feb 11 | 11:11 am
Wes Schaub needs to immediately clarify this “grace period” given to fraternities and apologize to the students hazed during that month. If this grace period did in fact exist, then he essentially encouraged fraternities to haze as hard as they possibly could for 30 days without fear of consequences.
We also recently learned that Wes Schaub approved a hazing event in the BEMA for SAE pledges, where they were told to bring an extra pair of clothes and inform the frat president of any allergies.
I had no idea about the number of deals brokered in smoke-filled Greek Life Office rooms to avoid more negative PR for the College.
As the previous commenters noted, these policies are about as useful as an ashtray on a motorcycle.
By Concerned Alum on Feb 11 | 12:00 pm
Black privilege is not a thing commenters. Just because white privilege is finally being addressed at this institution does not mean you can create a term to combat its existence. Stop being ridiculous.
By Anonymous on Feb 11 | 1:04 pm
When Psi U was put on probation, did anyone ask what campus would look like without a white fraternity on campus?
Are white individuals given a special look by the admissions office?
When a member of a female secret society came up to me in foco and asked me to fix her vibrator, would Dean Johnson investigate and threaten to expel the woman?
We all know this campus is filled with Black Privilege. Thank Dean Johnson for exposing Black Privilege on this campus
By Black privilege on Feb 11 | 1:57 pm
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he doesn’t exist.
That is what makes Black Privilege so dangerous. The elites pretend that it doesn’t exist. Whether it is the extra help they get in the admissions office, the extra funding their groups get on campus, or the “free pass” Alpha Phi Alpha got for hazing. You see the influence of black privilege everywhere.
By Joe 13 on Feb 11 | 2:02 pm
From The D 9.4.12 The new harm reduction, alcohol and hazing policies proposed over the summer by Dean of the College Charlotte Johnson — which include random walk-throughs conducted by Safety and Security officers in common areas and harsher penalties for violations — will go into effect on Sept. 21, according to Johnson. Some of the proposed policies, such as increased requirements for bartenders at parties that serve hard alcohol, will be reassessed after a 30-day “grace period” at the beginning of the fall during which sanctions will be less strict.
By D reader on Feb 11 | 4:37 pm
Who is hazing Mr.Shaw now? I hope the grace period is over.
By DartBored on Feb 11 | 4:51 pm
Stop snitching folks. It’s a very simple concept.
By AnIronicParadox on Feb 11 | 5:02 pm
Is Dartmouth a good place for black students to be? Or, would black students be better off at another ivy such as Penn or Columbia?
By Anonymous on Feb 11 | 5:50 pm
The D article that also mentioned the 30 day grace period (mentioned a few comments above) can be found here: http://thedartmouth.com/2012/09/04/news/alcohol
By Anonymous on Feb 12 | 3:47 am
Black privilege? Seriously? Kinda like the way the college doesn’t have many tenured black professors? Kinda like how the VP of equity and diversity position barely exists anymore? kinda like how black people get harassed because of their skin color? kinda like how people blame black people for creating an environment that warrants said harassment?
man. that’s a hell of a benefits package
By Black Privilege?? on Feb 12 | 8:57 am
The racism and ignorance in these comments is appalling.
I think Shaw did the right thing. Sue me.
By Anonymous on Feb 12 | 11:58 am
There appears to be real privilege in being able to deflect one’s privilege through the creation of a non-existent privilege in this supposed: Black Privilege.
By Rachel ‘13 on Feb 13 | 12:11 am