In Jan. pledge members paraded around campus in what resembled to be a fraternity initiation ritual. The men were spotted near North Village F without their shirts on and appeared to enjoy the exposure, despite the low temperatures.

Speculation that this could have been a part of a fraternity hazing scheme prompted Neil Jamerson, Asst. V.P. for Student Development, to cite Furman’s zero-tolerance policy for hazing.

An offense is committed should a student encourage or permit hazing to occur. Those with firsthand knowledge are also accountable if the incident is not reported.

Three years ago, the suspension of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity called alcohol-related hazing into question. The Greenville News reported accounts of coercive binge drinking during bid-night activities.

A separate violation occurred last year when Kappa Alpha members led blindfolded pledges off campus and forced them to clean the fraternity house. The discovery that tracking applications had been programmed on the initiated members phones was further indication of hazing.

If pledges were obliged to disrobe in Jan., it would have fallen under a hazing violation, authorizing university involvement, Jamerson said.

Less threatening initiation rituals consist of chanting and story-telling.

Indecent exposure such as streaking is in direct violation with the Student Conduct Code. Anyone with knowledge about initiation activities that pressure pledges to expose themselves should report the information to Jamerson.