Hazing victim’s former prof calls for review of UST policies on fraternities

THE HEAD of UST’s political science department and former professor of slain law student Horacio Castillo III is calling for a thorough review of University policies on fraternities.

While UST has implemented strict rules against hazing, fraternities continue to hold underground initiation rites, Asst. Prof. Dennis Coronacion said.

“[In] the past years, the University has been strict with policies on fraternity-related violence. But appears that underground elements of fraternities can move freely under the nose of the administrators. I think it’s about time for the University to review the policy and the way the policy is being implemented,” the Arts and Letters professor told the Varsitarian in an interview.

Coronacion called on the UST administration to ensure the safety of students from organizations that tolerate violent activities, as well as a stricter implementation of the Anti-Hazing Law.

Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law defines hazing as an initiation rite that subjects new recruits in a fraternity to “menial, silly, foolish and other similar tasks or activities or otherwise subjecting him to physical or psychological suffering or injury.”

School authorities must be informed seven days before initiation rites are held. The law requires at least two representatives from the school or organization to be present during initiation rites.