Informative Research Regarding Anti-Hazing Through Campaigns

Informative Research Regarding Anti-Hazing through Campaigns

In partial fulfillment of the requirements in
Philippine Politics and Governance

September 2012

Informative Research Regarding Anti-Hazing through Campaigns

Abstract

The idea of establishing certain campaigns which is against hazing to avoid cruel initiation by fraternities in schools and colleges is now the subject of usual controversy. Proponents emphasize the concept of justice; opponents invoke rights and fairness. The controversy, however, has given a sparse attention to what it would mean to society and to groups/ unions/ associations and the like to establish such an anti-hazing campaign. This paper is an Informative Research Regarding Anti-Hazing through Campaigns. Each association has a contract with the administration that bounds their activities. An interview was the main research instrument used in this study. Interview with the president of the student council is conducted to consider their views regarding this study. Journal entries were also used as a basis and sources of data for this study. This campaign does not contradict the Article III, Section 8 of the 1987 constitution of the Philippines; rather it connotes the right to life of a person without abolishing its main essence. This article addresses these issues by exploring the external and internal incentives suggesting that this thesis could prevent hazing in colleges/schools. Finally, this research paper would prevent students to experience threats, intimidation, and unlawful acts which violate the right to life of an individual.

Informative Research Regarding Anti-Hazing through Campaigns

This is a generation wherein teenagers are afraid of being unaccompanied and unaided. Their desire to be accepted in the society pushes them to look for acceptance in some groups despite of its consequences. These past few months, there have been incidents of death due to merciless initiations out of schools and universities. Recently, there have been two law students who lost their lives because of this inhumane and cruel act of initiations that certain fraternities implement. This alarming news has pushed the schools to their own movement in precluding physical and psychological abuse to enter organizations.
Fraternity is a group of people associated or formally organized for a common purpose, interest, or pleasure: as a fraternal order, guild, or a men’s student organization formed chiefly for social purposes having secret rites and a name in Greek letters. Also, it is the quality or state of being brothers. According to Bridget Wright, many young people attending college gain experiences and enjoy the benefits of joining a sorority or fraternity. They learn very early in their adult lives that there are many advantages to being a part of a tightly-knit social circle. Being a part of a fraternity can be very rewarding and beneficial to careers and professional lives. Fraternity membership often also means lifelong social connections.
While being a member of a fraternity during college is fun, the benefit of joining a sorority or fraternity increases significantly beyond the college days. Some of the major benefits of joining a sorority or fraternity include: Social for a social network is a large
Informative Research Regarding Anti-Hazing through Campaigns

part of the college scene. Social activities play an important role in sorority and fraternity life. Sororities and fraternities often sponsor mixers, formal dances, receptions and luncheons giving honor or recognizing some facet of the organization. Teamwork because working together as a team is a large part of the college social structure. The cohesiveness of pledging units provide just that foundation. Learning to work together as a team is vital to success in college and in business. Career is another benefit of having a fraternity because being a part of a fraternity is an impressive notation on any resume. Positivity, because being a member of a pledge group instils a sense of self-confidence and self-esteem. The individual feels that they belong and that they have a place. They take their place in the organization very seriously, but still know how to enjoy themselves. This bonding creates an ever-lasting effect for each individual. Responsibility and leadership are also large benefits of pledging. College students in sororities and fraternities are given many opportunities to exercise their leadership skills. They can learn the importance of responsibility in various situations. They have the protection and mentoring of the senior members of their house, as well as their peer group, to nurture them.
Even though fraternities have its advantages, there are some disadvantages that students ought to consider realistically. Some of these are time commitment because rushing and pledging are time consuming. Once you’re a member, you’ll be expected to participate in social events, philanthropic activities, meetings, and other time consuming commitments. Another is that joining fraternities has initiation fees, dues, and the like because there can be an awful lot of incidental expenses for things like social events, formal attire and the like. Expenses do vary quite a bit at different schools and in different chapters. Unfortunately, negative stereotypes about Greek life are abundant, and you’re likely to come across fellow students who judge you harshly because of your Greek affiliation. Greek organizations are a great place to make friends, but sometimes these friendship groups become isolated from the rest of campus life and also fraternities has bed effects regarding academic concerns.

Hazing is any action or situation, with or without the consent of the participants, which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical, or academic health or safety of a student. It includes physical injury, assault or battery, kidnapping or imprisonment, intentionally placing at risk of mental or emotional harm (putting “over the edge”), degradation, humiliation, the compromising of moral or religious values, forced consumption of any liquid or solid, placing an individual in physical danger (at risk) which includes abandonment, and impairment of physical liberties which include curfews or other interference with academic endeavours. Despite of the heartless or tough initiations to enter fraternities or sororities, we cannot fully abolish these groups because it would be against the Bill of Rights. These organizations are protected by the Philippine Constitution Article III, Section 8 which states that the right of the people, including those employed in the public and privates sectors, to form unions, association, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged. Because of this right, these groups are able to perform any activities that would endanger a person's right to life. It is a universal and inherent law that a person must ensure its safety.
Under RA 8049, in order for hazing to be valid, the following conditions must be complied with:
1. Prior written notice to the school authorities or head of organization seven (7) days before the conduct of such initiation
2. The written notice shall indicate the period of the initiation activities which shall not exceed three (3) days, shall include the names of those to be subjected to such activities.
3. The written notice shall contain an undertaking that no physical violence be employed by anybody during such initiation rites.
4. At least two (2) representatives of the school or organization should be present during the initiation. It is the duty of such representative to see to it that no physical harm of any kind shall be inflicted upon a recruit, neophyte or applicant.
Before the enactment of RA 8049, there was no law punishing the act of hazing. Hence, the courts had to look at the Revised Penal Code for the criminal liability of the accused.
As such, in the Lenny Villa Case, the accused were held liable for reckless imprudence resulting into homicide.

We have conducted an interview with the Mapua Institute of Technology student council president of 2012-2013. The questions asked were:
Has there been any instance of fraternities in Mapua?
Why do you think students join fraternities?
What is your opinion about fraternities?
What are the things that the student council organization did to apprehend the groups?
What is the school doing to avoid hazing on fraternities?

Any organization is legal or credited by the schools except for those who practice physical abuse. A certain group or association could be recognized if it has a minimum of 30 members and if it qualifies the requirements of the administration of the school.

Most of the schools are against hazing but hazing is legal if and only if it has complied under the Republic Act No. 8049. As a result, schools promote campaigns which are anti-hazing. According to the Official Student Publication of Mapua Institute of Technology which is the New Builder Vol. XLVI No. 3 published on September 2012, “Fortunately, there’s a specific part of RA. 8049 that deals with this situation. Anti- hazing law provides protection and authorizes the concern to administer the proper penalties when a subject under hazing is” prevented from reporting the unlawful act to his parents or guardians, to the proper school authorities, or to the police authorities, through force, violence, threat or intimidation.” This section would be a leeway and at the same time the instrument as a provision for those crusades who oppose hazing on fraternities.
This term paper will be stimuli for the school administration to reevaluate rules and regulations about policies regarding. This study was done for the purpose of showing the importance of human life and in ensuring the security of the students. Thus, to avoid hazing without taking the right of a person to associate. The researchers recommend that similar studies related to this should be conducted. Having other studies regarding this subject may strengthen the main topic and to be able to find a possible solution in proposing a contract between the said group and the administration and also in preventing cruel initiations

Informative Research Regarding Anti-Hazing through Campaigns

References
Ed Amoroso. (Aug. 04, 2012). Police secure 2 hazing victims. In Philippine Star. Retrieved Sept.17, 2012, from http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=834457&publicationSubCategoryId=63.

Christina Mendez. (Aug. 02, 2012). Senate to probe latest hazing death. In Philippine Star. Retrieved Sept.17, 2012, from http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=833946.

Jeannette Andrade. (Sept. 09,2010). Fraternity war behind bar exams blast -- police. In Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved Aug. 25, 2012, from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100927-294632/Fraternity-war-behind-bar-exams-blast----police.

Maricar Cinco. (April 04, 2010). Mapua student allegedly dies in hazing; 6 suspects nabbed. In Pinoy Exchange. Retrieved Sept. 25, 2012, from http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=439699

Jasmine Pinugu. ( September 2012). Two Faced Orgs. The New Builder. Volume46(3), 12-13 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fraternity http://www.catalogs.com/info/people/benefits-of-joining-a-sorority-or-fraternity.html http://suite101.com/article/greek-life--disadvantages-a7899 http://www.umich.edu/~nohazing/whatis.html