One year ago, six members and pledges of Gamma Sigma Phi stole the Frater Sodalis crest, and clubs don’t seem to have learned their lesson. Club rivalries continue to spiral out of control, and include pranks that border on felonies and alleged hazing that ACU police are investigating.
Recently, clubs took things a step further and began breaking into houses of other clubs’ members, stealing personal and club items, often destroying them. Members of several men’s clubs said pranks are “all in good fun” and, unless a house burns down, or someone is sent to the hospital, boundaries are not overstepped. They also said people shouldn’t report something considered a prank to administration or the police because clubs should handle things internally.
Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, disagreed. He said no one never knows how a prank will be received and although it may not have been meant maliciously, people are always victimized. He said any time a home is entered without the owner’s or tenant’s permission, it is breaking and entering and that charges can be filed.
ACU Police said those charged with breaking and entering can receive anywhere from two to 20 years in prison if found guilty. What may have begun as a harmless “prank” between two clubs quickly gets out of hand when clubs take matters into their own hands.
Although leaders and members of clubs may not condone or encourage pranks among the members, these actions still occur, said Scott Brooks, Galaxy president. He said it was important for club members to keep their noses clean, although he said Galaxy, like other clubs, has no policy addressing the issues of pranks and theft.
Clubs must take a stand against pranks and think about their actions. Clubs that continue to steal from others, destroy personal and club items or break into houses, either don’t think about or don’t care about the repercussions.
Clubs must first treat their own members and pledges with respect before they can treat other clubs with respect.
Clubs need to own up to their actions and stop treating pledges and members of other clubs this way. Victims of hazing need to have the guts to report what happened, no matter the circumstances. Fear because of social pressures victimizes too many people and someone needs to take a stand against it.
The vicious cycle of prank wars will end if clubs stop retaliating and handling justice their own way. Take a risk and seek justice through Campus Life or the police.
When club’s items are stolen or destroyed, when one’s safety in his own home is jeopardized by members of a club, or if pledges are harmed during the pledging process, it taints the name of all social clubs.
Members who want others to take their club seriously and see the good they do on campus need to take a stand and defend their name and honor. Behave as though the club deserves honor by its actions.
