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I think that trying to take fraternities to task by either a lawsuit or even new legislation would only move such activities underground, and would criminalize a group of young men who probably don't know any better. It might perhaps be better to look at the supervisory role of colleges and the way in which such initiation activities are being monitored. Rather then pouring thousands if not millions of dollars into the coffers of lawyers or insurance companies and colleges may be better advised to put preventive money into education. Get the leaders of fraternities and sororities to sit down and consider their responsibilities and the risks. Banning or laws may have some effect to reduce the willingness to take risks, but I wonder if that is not offset by young peoples' instincts to rebel and try the forbidden fruit somewhere in a dark corner, where chances of rescue are even more limited and education professionals have only limited scope to reach and change behavior.
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- -- Helmut Kostreba, Office Manager, Lambeth Ed Directorate, London, Great Britain (posted 11/9, 9:45 a.m., E.S.T.)
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Copyright © 1998 by The Chronicle of Higher Education
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