r/PennStateUniversity • u/Strong-Disaster-7895 • 2d ago
Question Fraternities
I'm interested in trying to apply and hopefully get into PSU for college and i've been interested in the greek life. I know there's gonna be a time and money commitment but I am always wondering if all frats do intense hazing that's humiliating or dangerous or if it's a select few.
I believe members aren't allowed to speak on hazing but if there's any alumni or ex-members that could help I would be very grateful.
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u/mismatchedhyperstock '07, Microbiology 2d ago
Must be able to cut and package the nose candy to pledge
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u/FRSBRZGT86FAN '21, IST 2d ago
I graduated in 2021, but started as an engineering major at main originally before in 2016-2018. From what I saw and what several friends told me, pretty much every social fraternity hazed in some form. The only differences were how far they took it and how well they hid it.
Nothing meaningfully changed after Tim Piazza died at Beta Theta Pi. I even heard fraternity members say he “did it to himself,” which was a ridiculous way to excuse what happened.
A friend of mine who was pledging Zeta Psi told me that another pledge urinated on him while he was passed out. The guy who did it eventually got into the fraternity. My friend did not. That tells you plenty about the culture.
Hazing didn’t disappear. People just got quieter about it.
Honestly, a lot of insecure guys see fraternity life as a shortcut to status, parties, and getting laid. Some people make genuine friends through it, but pretending hazing isn’t still part of the culture is dishonest.
You don’t need any of that to build a social life. Talk to people in class, join clubs, and make the effort to build friendships outside of them. Once college ends, you still need to know how to meet people, form real relationships, and make your own way. A fraternity network might open a few doors, but it can’t replace those skills.