Recent coverage of the Danny Santulli tragedy, about a young man injured in a hazing incident at a fraternity three years ago, has shed an intense light on harmful hazing practices known to occur in a small number of fraternities. But the proven social and academic benefits of Greek life are numerous and often overlooked, and a lot has changed in three years. A vigorous effort to eradicate this type of conduct, both at the state and national level, has gained significant momentum in the years since Danny Santulli was injured and is showing positive results.
Just weeks after the 2021 Santulli incident, the Mizzou Greek Alliance was formed by a group of fathers and grandfathers who were former members of the fraternity. Some of us had experienced some form of hazing in our youth, and although most of it was harmless, we knew from our nearly 300 years of combined experience as counselors that in the right circumstances it could become dangerous. We recruited dozens of Greek alumni to the cause and, channeling our determination, immediately began a training and education campaign aimed at raising awareness and, ultimately, eradicating hazing, dangerous drinking and other harmful behaviors in fraternities. Sixteen fraternity chapters have joined our group. We brought in speakers from across the country and generated a YouTube video, which has been viewed 1,300 times, highlighting the worst hazing incidents over the years and the harsh consequences that befell those involved.
We also worked hand-in-hand with University of Missouri administrators to develop aspects of a new student code of conduct that rewards student organizations for policing their own ranks and punishes them when they fail to confront bad actors. Our public website also highlights a wide range of resources for leaders and advisors, as well as hard data on the problems presented and the solutions proven to work. We have a bill in the Missouri General Assembly known as “Danny’s Law,” named after Danny Santulli, that will give immunity from prosecution to anyone who is the first to call 911 to get help for a member of an organization that is in danger. as a result of hazing or dangerous action.
The University of Missouri also addressed the issue vigorously. Every new member of a Greek organization must now participate in an interactive training session on hazing and alcohol abuse that teaches them how to spot harmful behavior when it is starting and empowers them to confront it. National fraternities have also dedicated millions of dollars in resources not only to training and education, but also to enforcing standards of conduct against rogue chapters and dishonest members. The continuation of public prosecutions of the worst abusers also sent a strong message that this type of conduct will not remain hidden, nor will it be tolerated. The results of these and other efforts across the country appear to be translating into measurable results. According to the hazing deaths database, although there were one to two hazing deaths nationwide each year before 2021, there were none in the last three years.
Finally, lost in all the legitimate focus on these problems are the positive aspects of Greece’s membership. The majority of the 6,000 Greek chapters do not engage in this type of harmful conduct. Many provide much-needed support to their members. A large number of university students today are in emotional crisis, and much of it stems from social isolation. According to the NIH, approximately 1,300 college students die annually by suicide. Hard data supports that members of Greek organizations statistically have lower rates of depression than the general public. Academic performance is also higher in Greek communities and, according to the Gallup organization, 84% of Greek alumni would still join their Greek house if they had to do it all over again. Greek alumni are five times more likely to donate to their alma mater than graduates who did not join a fraternity or sorority. And membership in Greece offers leadership experience and unparalleled opportunities to cultivate sociability.
The bottom line from all this is that, although serious problems remain, partnerships drive change and things are changing in Greek organizations in a significant way. And the benefits of Greek membership, which have been embraced by generations of university students, are needed more than ever.
Bob Selsor is a 1982 graduate of the University of Missouri and president of the Mizzou Greek Alliance.
This article originally appeared in the Springfield News-Leader: After Tragic Missouri Hazing, Changes in Greek Life Are Compelling
