Surveys Conducted by Dr. Susan Lipkins

Survey: Fraternity/Sorority Members

• 65% of respondents agree that the primary goal of an initiation is to bond.
• 57% of respondents agree that it is important to tolerate psychological stress.
• 31% of respondents agree that a significant element in an initiation rite is humiliation.
• 29% of respondents agree that extreme consumption is often part of an initiation.
• 29% of respondents agree that it is important to tolerate physical pain.
• 29% of respondents agree that they are concerned with the overuse of alcohol during pledge activities.
• 25% of respondents agree that initiation usually involves the use of paddles.

Rarely do the leaders acknowledge that these rituals are in fact, hazing. However, in this study, a third of the Greek leaders agree that humiliation is a significant element in initiation, and almost as many, agree that extreme consumption and the use of paddles are also part of initiation. Unfortunately, Greek leaders may still deny the connection between these kinds of initiation activities and hazing.