May 4, 2003
Fayetteville Observer
RALEIGH - The state House last week approved a change to North Carolina's hazing laws. Rep. Margaret Dickson's son suggested that the House consider the change, which is pending in the Senate.
The change would remove a state law that expels any college student convicted of hazing. Instead, the school would allow school officials to administer appropriate punishments.
The sanctions would be in addition to fines or jail time ordered by a judge. Hazing is a misdemeanor.
Dickson's son, Wyatt Dickson, is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and president of the Interfraternity Council there. Rep. Dickson, a Fayetteville Democrat, sponsored the legislation.
Hazing definition
The existing law needs to be changed, Wyatt Dickson said. He thinks it is too
harsh, because not all incidents of hazing are the same and the definition of
"hazing" under the law is too broad.
"Anything that would put a young man in harm's way is certainly something that needs to be punished," Dickson said, but practical jokes don't deserve the same punishment - expulsion under the current statue - as something that is dangerous.
The law defines hazing as "to annoy any student by playing abusive or ridiculous tricks upon him, to frighten, scold, beat or harass him, or to subject him to personal indignity."
The expulsion requirement dissuades some students from reporting hazing, Wyatt Dickson said.
"You don't hear about much of it, and that's one of the problems," he said. "It's an underground kind of thing. Those who do feel like they've been wronged are often reluctant to come out because of those stiff penalties. ... Nobody wants to be the kid that brought the fraternity down."
The new law would define hazing as forcing or allowing someone "to participate in any activity that subjects or is likely to subject that person or others to risks of physical injury, mental distress or personal indignities" if that person wants to join a team, club or other organized group.
The new law would require schools to discipline students convicted of hazing, but would not specify the punishment.
He said the change is not related to an alleged hazing incident involving football players at Methodist College last year in which a freshman player accused other players of sexually assaulting him with a pen.
The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office investigated the incident, but the District Attorney's office was unable to persuade a grand jury to issue an indictment.
The school has added a section on hazing in its judicial codes.
Methodist spokeswoman Cynthia Curtis
said, "Methodist College would be supportive of any legislation that puts
in place a stronger deterrent against hazing," she said. "Anything
that would more clearly define hazing and promotes a better understanding of
what hazing is would be a good thing."
