Prickly Pear, Yearbook of Abilene Christian University, 2006 Page: 57
336 p. : ill. ; 32 cm. Includes DVD, 12 cm.View a full description of this yearbook.
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During a semester in which social clubs already sat under a more
watchful eye of Campus Life officials because of safety concerns about
the pledging process, allegations about three social clubs' pledging activities
forced the university to suspend one club for two years, label one inactive
for the year and put another on probation.
On Oct. 13, the university suspended men's club Sub T-16 for two
years following an investigation that revealed potential hazing violations
during pledging activities.
The women's social club Delta Theta spent much of this year inactive
after its advisers resigned in early October because of differences with
club officers and members about pledging activities.
An unapproved pledging activity in early October prompted Campus
Life officials to place men's club Galaxy on probation for the year.
The university suspended pledging for all three clubs, and the clubs
made pledges members weeks before other clubs finished pledging.
Sub T-16 suspended
Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said he first heard in late
September that some Sub T pledging activities might have violated the
state's hazing law. At that time, Barnard suspended Sub T pledging activities
and had Jimmy Ellison, chief of ACU Police, investigate the activities
because of the legal questions.
On Oct. 10, two weeks later, Barnard said the investigation stopped
because the potential victims chose not to file criminal hazing charges. A
victim of a potential crime must wish to file charges for a criminal hazing
case to proceed.
"While it is true in this case that no pledges wanted to cooperate with
a criminal case, I feel comfortable stating that had a pledge elected to
file a complaint with us, based on what we learned in the investigation, I
would have filed the case with the District Attorney for their review and
consideration;' Ellison said.
Ellison said he informed club members that potential victims could
file charges up to two years after an event under Texas law.
Texas' hazing law states that organizations cannot endanger the mental
or physical health of another who is seeking entry into that organization
through ways such as physical brutality, extreme physical activity or
subjecting someone to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation.
"Many will probably react that this is just guys being guys. Unfortunately
the law does not say that;" Ellison said.
Barnard and Ellison met with club members on Oct. 13 to announce
the two-year suspension.
"Asking how the meeting went would be like asking a bereaved family
how the funeral was;, Ellison said."It was certainly not news that the
Sub T membership wanted to hear, but they asked some good questions,
vented some understandable frustrations and disappointment to Dean
Barnard, but overall handled themselves as best as could be expected:'
Barnard said the suspension means Sub T will not be recognized or
even exist as an official club on campus. It will not be able to participate as
a club in activities such as pledging, intramural sports and Sing Song.
During these two years, Barnard said members would need to conduct
a self-study of the club and its history.Delta Theta inactive
Delta Theta advisers resigned in late September because of internal
conflicts with club officers and pledging practices.
Once the advisers resigned, Barnard said the decision about what to
do with the club was relatively plain.
"You can't be an active club on campus and not have advisers," Barnard
said.
While the club was inactive, Barnard said he wanted Delta Theta
to look back on the club's history and original mission to determine if
changes need to be made as well as finding new sponsors.
Members of Delta Theta conducted a self-study of the club, like Sub
T, and found new advisers before becoming active again.
While the club was inactive, its pledging process ended, and it was not
able to participate in activities until it becomes active again.
Delta Theta's pledges became official members of the club in early October,
and some already have said they are hopeful about the future.
"It's time to make DT the respectable, traditional club that it needs to
be on campus,' said Julie Vazquez, Delta Theta new member and sophomore
management major from Abilene. "Everything has a purpose and
happens for a reason. I think this deactivation with DT is the thing that
will bring back our honor and respect to the campus.'
Delta Theta was reactivated the week after spring break.
Galaxy on probation
Campus Life officials met with GCa-:y on Oct. 6 to inform the club it
would be on probation through the end of the school year because of an
unapproved pledging activity.
This year, Campus Life required clubs to submit pledging activity proposals
before pledging began to have activities approved. Barnard said
clubs should have adhered strictly to the approved proposals.
Barnard said the club also had no advisers present ar the unapproved
activity. If Galaxy had presented a proposal for this activity, Barnard said
he probably would not have approved it anyway.
Although the club is on probation, Galaxy could continue to meet and
have regular club activities throughout the year. However, its pledging did
not continue, and pledges officially became members of the club.
Barnard said he cannot remember a time when the university investigated
three clubs simultaneously. He said he attributes the rarity to the
increased amount of discussions with clubs and pledges about hazing and
appropriate activities. Because those involved are better informed, Barnard
said people know better when to report violations.
"Because we've had more scrutiny, we're having reports we might not
have had previously:' Barnard said.
Barnard said the clubs must now respond to the adversity to find solutions
before problems build up again.
"If there's conflict, let's work that out. Let's not get to a point where
advisors resign," Barnard said. "If we are needing to make changes, I want
to make changes. We all get caught up in things we shouldn't do. The
question is, once we know that, and once we work on that, what are we
going to do with that? How are we going to get better?"By: Jonathan Smith, adapted from the Optimist
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Abilene Christian University. Prickly Pear, Yearbook of Abilene Christian University, 2006, yearbook, 2006; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth39882/m1/60/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.