Background:

Eileen Stevens lost her son Chuck Stenzel when he died as the result of a hazing incident at Alfred University in New York in 1978. Her story is detailed in Broken Pledges, a book by author/journalist Hank Nuwer. Mrs. Stevens' story has been told in People, Newsweek, Redbook, McCalls, US and she has been a featured guest on Oprah, 20/20, The Today Show, Good Morning America and Phil Donahue. Eileen has been a strong supporter of StopHazing.org and was kind enough to share this excerpt from her powerful speech:

Spring 2001

The work that I do began because of personal experience. I speak from the heart, as a mother, who learned about the ugly tradition of "hazing" in the worst possible way. I lost my son Chuck, 21 years ago in an alcohol/hazing incident in New York State at Alfred University. He was kidnapped from his dorm, locked in a car trunk in freezing weather with the other pledges, and forced to consume a lethal mix of bourbon, wine and beer. Chuck was dead within hours due to acute alcohol poisoning and exposure to cold. Other pledges were hospitalized but fortunately they lived. Since that time I've spoken at over 700 campuses not against fraternities-but against hazing! The organization I founded, C.H.U.C.K., Committee to Halt Useless College Killings, has a definite purpose: to increase awareness, to work to find alternatives to hazing, to encourage educational programs and to lobby for anti-hazing laws.

If Greek life is to remain in existence, it must rid every chapter, on every campus, of hazing in all its ugly forms. The very survival of fraternities and sororities depends on that simple fact. This is not an easy task because students entering fraternal organizations, as well as existing members, are receiving a mixed message. Until there is a clear signal from college administrators, national head quarters and lawmakers that even the most subtle, seemingly innocuous forms of hazing will not be tolerated, the problem will remain and it will worsen. Hazing in any form has no place in any fraternity or sorority. It defeats the very spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood and friendship that Greeks represent and violates the very premise on which they were founded.

Fraternal life was founded on strong values and ideals for good and pure reasons and the founders would hang their heads in shame were they to realize that the ugly practice of hazing entered the pre-initiation programs. "Fraternity" signifies honor, leadership and brotherhood. Hazing is an aberration of all you stand for and must be stopped.

The past decade has seen dramatic, precedent-setting change. Forty-two states have outlawed hazing. Federal attention is taking place right now and the judiciary committee is reviewing two drafts that would criminalize hazing and put mandates on universities. Legally, the landscape is seeing laws being tested in the courts and litigation that is jolting the financial foundation of national fraternities resulting in an insurance crisis. Some university boards are seeking the abolishment of Greek-letter organizations on their campuses and some have succeeded in doing just that! Some courageous fraternities have eliminated the pledge process and may be setting the tone for the future. The ever-present media continues to report the hard truth, abuses, indignities, injuries and fatalities (80 in the past decade*). These are frightening facts that cannot be justified, blemishing the innocent along with the guilty. Adverse publicity, lawsuits and public pressure have put Greeks under fire and Greek life in jeopardy.

Being a Greek is an honor-one that commands responsible behavior. No member of a fraternity should allow hazing to go on in their chapter. Even seemingly harmless activities have led to problem situations. Most reported hazing incidents involve alcohol.

Subservience, ridicule, verbal abuse, intimidation, sleep deprivation, forced calisthenics, unfair tests are all hazing and should be reported. No one should compromise their dignity to belong to any group. If you are allowing yourself to be hazed, or looking the other way when someone else is being hazed, you are enabling this ugly practice to continue and jeopardizing the emotional and physical well being of others. You are the future of fraternity. You have rights and an important voice. This is a time of growth and personal development. You are in a unique position to strengthen your chapter, implement change and set a tone for the future. Only you can eradicate the cancer of hazing. You will face many challenges and choices. I implore you to do so with leadership and courage.

Eileen Stevens

*This figure represents Greek/pledge-related deaths only.