In commemoration of National Hazing Week, the Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council held a screening of HAZE, a documentary film about college binge drinking and hazing.

HAZE centers on the story of Gordie Bailey, a freshman at the University of Colorado at Boulder who died of alcohol poisoning while pledging Csi Phi fraternity in 2004, to depict the dangers of alcohol use in an influenced group setting. The hazing process at Chi Psi required its pledges to consume large amounts of alcohol, which led to Bailey’s alcohol poisoning and death.

The screening was held on Sept. 26, 2013, the day memorializing Bailey. The National Gordie Foundation is a non-profit organization founded to raise awareness about the dangers of hazing, described as harassment whether the participation was willing or not.

Several sororities, fraternities and sports teams attended the screening.

“The screening was not intended to demonize fraternities or sororities,” stated Erica Gordon, assistant director of Campus Life Leadership and Student Clubs/Organizations. “All national chapters of Greek organizations have strong statements prohibiting hazing and excessive alcohol consumption.”

The film underlines the adverse effects of the college drinking culture amongst students, not just those in the Greek system and sports.

“The film was interesting and informative, but focused mainly on the dangers of drinking,” said Mical Tawney, ’15 “It also was not too friendly to Greek life. The Greek system at Dickinson is very different to the Greek life in a larger campus setting.”

Juliet Baker ’14, head of the Panhellenic Council, made a disclaimer before the movie.

“This movie is not an attack on any organization, but to raise awareness,” she said.
Gordon reiterated Baker’s statement.

“This film illuminates the heavily veiled and largely misunderstood realm of college binge and competitive drinking and hazing, and the continually mounting risks associated with such behavior,” she added.