Dear Students and Lehigh Families,
As President Helble shared in his message last week, being together in a residential learning environment and fostering a strong sense of community are central to the Lehigh academic and co-curricular experience.
It is with deep concern that we must inform you that last week an anonymous report indicating serious hazing violations of our Anti-Hazing Policy within our fraternity and sorority community was brought to our attention and is being investigated by the Lehigh University Police Department and Student Affairs. We want to bring attention to the seriousness of this report and to impress upon all members of the community—both new and returning—the importance of taking action to report such instances so they can be stopped, and most importantly, of not engaging in hazing or any behavior that may harm others.
Hazing can take different forms and can occur in many areas—not just in our fraternity and sorority communities. Hazing can touch athletics teams, clubs and organizations, the arts and residential activities—which is why community-wide awareness of hazing prevention is key. Hazing prevention programming and resources are available on Lehigh’s Student Affairs website. Lehigh takes any reports of hazing and their investigation seriously. As this recent allegation specifically references the fraternity and sorority community, this correspondence is also being shared with chapter alumni advisors and national headquarters.
As you may know, the university also reports any hazing-related incidents publicly twice throughout the year in accordance with the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, which was signed into legislation in 2017 following the tragic death of a Penn State University student due to hazing. Under this law, organizations and their leaders and members involved in hazing can face criminal penalties for hazing that occurs in their organization. In addition to criminal charges, organizations and their leaders and members can also face civil liability for physical and psychological injuries resulting from hazing.
The true purpose of the fraternity and sorority experience is centered on the values of leadership, service, scholarship, integrity, and friendship, which foster a positive, safe and uplifting environment for members as well as the whole Lehigh community. Just last week, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs (OFSA) hosted National Hazing Prevention Week programming, which included the Panhellenic Council’s anti-hazing event, “These Hands Don’t Haze,” on the Clayton University Center’s front lawn. Hazing awareness is an important component of ending the behavior within our teams, clubs, and organizations.
Lastly, with our return to in-person instruction and activities has come an elevated interest in club and organization membership. Based on Greek Pre-Recruitment Education Program (PREP) 5x10 attendance, we anticipate a robust spring fraternity and sorority recruitment. However, any behavior by individual members and/or organizations that is unsafe, harmful, or related to hazing would necessitate the interruption or even cancellation of formal recruitment activities for some or all fraternity and sorority organizations. We sincerely hope that taking such action is not required, but will not hesitate to do so if needed in the interest of student health and safety.
Ricardo Hall
Vice President for Student Affairs
Katherine W. Lavinder
Dean of Students
Chloe Abshire
Assistant Dean/Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs