Hazing by fraternities and other groups on college campuses is ILLEGAL.

When caught, those involved are subject to criminal penalties, and the organizations involved are ordinarily suspended for some period of time, often until all current members have graduated.

That is why the decision to ban the Lambda Phi Epsilon fraternity at the University of Texas came as no surprise when it was determined that an 18-year-old pledge died as a result of alcohol poisoning as a result of hazing activities.

In fact, any other penalty would have been a surprise.

But Lambda Phi Epsilon is special, don't you know. After all, it is a fraternity that is ovewhelmingly Asian, and therefore deserves special treatment -- at least acording to the only Asian in the Texas legislature.

Rep. Hubert Vo wrote UT President Larry Faulkner last week that the university should consider alternative punishments such as probation, community service or alcohol abuse training for the members of Lambda Phi Epsilon, rather than canceling the registration of the entire group.

Group punishment, Vo said, is unfair and could send the wrong message to the Asian community by destroying an important social and support network for Asian students, many of whom are children of immigrants and first-generation college students.

Vo said Tuesday his concern has nothing to do with race and that he doesn't expect Asians to get special treatment at UT.

"This is not about Asians or black or brown or white," he said. "This is about education and cutting off these resources from all the students. It's a big blow for all the students who might have to look for some alternative ways to complete their college degrees."

"The University has stopped short of saying that hazing caused young Mr. Phoummarath's sad death," Vo wrote in the Dec. 22 letter. "Surely there is a solution to this tragic circumstance that also stops short of canceling the fraternity's status while paying tribute to Phanta Jack Phoummarath's yearning for a better future."

So, it has nothing to do with race or ethnicity -- but normal procedures shouldn't be followed because applying standard policy sends the wrong message? Which isit, Hubert? Is it about race or isn't it? You have said it is and it isn't. Would you be taking this position if the fraternity were predominantly white?

And let's not overlook the others who support giving special treatment to a group which is morally culpable in the death of a young man.

But Vo, a Democrat who emigrated from Vietnam about 30 years ago, said UT's decision may discourage Asian students who need all the resources they can get while pursuing their education. "Cutting off a fraternity like this means cutting off the support network for the students," Vo said.

For many Asian students, Vo said, fraternities provide moral support, educational guidance and career advice that parents may not be able to give. He said they also offer vital networking opportunities for minority groups who need a leg up in today's competitive job market.

Lily Truong, board director of the Asian Alumni Association at the University of Houston, agreed that UT should try to find a way to keep the Asian fraternity intact. "They look forward to these fraternities. I know the fraternities are helping them," Truong said of students. "If they don't have the fraternity, they could get lost and I don't think they would know what they're going to do next."

So, Asian students have special needs that should exempt them and their organizations from the same rules and laws that apply to other students. If required to follow the same rules, they will not have the support they need to succeed -- despite the fact that Asian students are among the most successful on any college campus.

Shame on you, Representative Vo. A young man is dead -- one of those very Asian students you claim to support -- and you want those who created teh contditions that led to his death held to a lower standard because they are Asian. Shame!

Posted by: Greg at 04:03 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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