![]() ![]() Hazing has led to serious injury and, in some cases, death. “When the first Greek letter organization was begun in 1776 - that’s Phi Beta Kappa, the prestigious honor society -there’s evidence of hazing within a few years of its founding.”Īccording to Hughey, hazing within Greek organizations in the modern context has become more extreme, more demeaning and increasingly violent. He also is a member of Phi Beta Sigma, the brother fraternity to Zeta Phi Beta. Hughey studies and has written about the history and culture of Black Greek-letter organizations. “Hazing is hundreds if not thousands of years old,” said Matthew Hughey, a professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut. The source left ISU prior to graduation and currently lives out of state, hoping to return and finish her degree. She said she experienced panic attacks and was made to feel guilty for wanting to leave the sorority. Video evidence confirms food smeared on the clothes and hair of young women linking arms, with a large group shouting at them.Ī complaint sent to Zeta Phi Beta headquarters said a senior member of the Lamba Epsilon chapter threw wet cotton balls at pledges, called the whistleblower fat and ugly and screamed demeaning comments at her nightly for hours. ![]() The source said the group seeking initiation had food thrown at them. The young woman is still an active member of Zeta Phi Beta and requested to remain anonymous, fearing retaliation.Įmails obtained by WGLT describe pledges being beaten, pushed, slapped, scratched and paddled. She provided written and video evidence of the initiation process to Lambda Epsilon, which according to the source, included a restricted diet of bread and water, physical abuse and a cult-like atmosphere conducted in secret. They described a cycle of underground initiation practices involving months of physical and psychological abuse, triggering an investigation that led to Lambda Epsilon’s 12-month suspension.Ī former ISU student who joined Lambda Epsilon in 2018 reported allegations of hazing and what she describes as brainwashing to Zeta Phi Beta. The 50-year-old Lambda Epsilon chapter of the umbrella sorority Zeta Phi Beta was suspended in May 2022 after multiple members came forward - some denouncing their membership altogether. An Illinois State University sorority is cleared to resume activity this fall after the lifting of a yearlong suspension for hazing and other alleged abuses. ![]()
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