There were no reports of hazing on the university campus so far this semester as of the end of last week, though some members of the Greek community said the practice continues.

The Dean of Students' office has not had any reports of hazing this year, said associate dean Veda Kowalski.

Sean Harding, Delta Chi president, said hazing continues within the greek system.

"I think it still goes on, and it will until someone gets caught," Harding said. "That's what happened to us."

But there was no hazing at Delta Chi this year, Harding said.

"My fraternity does not haze, but of course it does go on on campus. It is a traditional thing usually, part of a ritual." said Adam Brotman, a pre-business freshmen and pledge from Alpha Epsilon Phi.

Brotman gave a specific example of a fraternity on campus that "brands" its members. The pledge burns the skin into the shape of the fraternity's greek letters until it scars.

Brotman emphasized that the "branding" was strictly voluntary.

According to Josh Surridge, vice president of public relations of the Inter-Fraternity Council, the key to fighting hazing practices on campus is information. "It is important that new pledges understand that they have options. We want them to know that the resources are out there."

Surridge cited a number of services that are available to pledges or anyone else who feels that they might be victims of hazing.

The IFC hosted a symposium on hazing this Sunday for its new members.

The university also has an anonymous hotline, 626-HAZE, where victims can go to make reports.

Chris Bullins, coordinator for greek life programs in the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, said that he has received no calls so far this year from the anonymous 626-HAZE hotline, but he knows that hazing continues.

"Hazing exists, it will take a very long time for it to go away, because it has been here for so long," said Bullins. "It does happen on campus."

"Hazing is an outdated practice that doesn't serve its purpose anymore," said Surridge. "What fraternities and sororities have to ask themselves is ÎIs it really worth it to hold on to these archaic practices?'"

Joe Young, a pre-business management sophomore and a member of Kappa Alpha said that his fraternity has taken an active role to stop hazing violations.

"I have no concerns as far as hazing goes," Young said. "Our fraternity has been very vocal against it. The leaders have even sat down and talked to each of us individually."

For Kowalski, education is essential in eliminating hazing.

"What we try to do is educate people. Let people know what exactly hazing is and what the expectations of the university are," she said.

The Center for Student Involvement and Leadership offers a seminar on the dangers of hazing to any department on campus that requests it. Not only is this seminar being offered to fraternities and sororities but also sports clubs, religious clubs and many other organizations associated with the university.

Part of the intent of this seminar is to discredit hazing as a legitimate means of building club morale.

"Regardless of popular opinion, hazing doesn't work. It doesn't build respect or brotherhood," said Bullins. "It will only hurt your organization. It will bring criminal charges. It will fail to build unity."

"Hazing," as defined by a state statute set into law last year, is an intentional knowing or reckless act by a student (alone or with others) committed in connection with

initiation into a school-related organ that creates a risk of "physical injury, mental harm, or personal degradation."

The law, A.R.S. Section 15-2301, which was set in place last August puts responsibility on all members of the university community, including teachers and staff, to report instances of hazing to the proper authorities.

Just because a victim consents to hazing practices does not mean that those administering the hazing are not responsible under the law.

The university's policy adds to the statute's limitations by stating that anyone who aids or abets someone in the practice of hazing is also responsible.

Anyone who feels like they might be victims of hazing can file a complaint with the Dean of Students, which is responsible for investigating claims of harassment or violence in the greek system.