If the idea of hazing has crossed the minds of any fraternities or sororities, they should be warned that members of college campus organizations can be suspended or expelled for hazing their pledges.

The NIU Student Judicial Code defines hazing as "any act or activity by an organization or group or by a member of that organization or group in which a member(s) or prospective member(s) may be subjected to an activity which may cause or create a risk to one's physical or mental health."

Larry Bolles, director of the University Judicial Office, said, "The consequences for hazing are very stiff. We're not going to tolerate that this year." Bolles said students should be aware of the dangers and consequences involved with hazing.

"I have suspended and expelled students for hazing," he said. Bolles expelled an entire fraternity about eight years ago which violated hazing rules.

There is "nothing wrong with pledging a fraternity or sorority" or other organizations on campus, but "a student should not be subject to hazing," he said.

There have been problems from different organizations almost every year. The active members in an organization might haze the pledges by severe paddling often leaving the student unable to walk, public ridicule, verbal abuse, physical exhaustion, fear or intimidation.

The NIU Student Judicial Code states, "The University or hazing recipient may charge an individual and/or the officers of a recognized organization with responsibility for the hazing act(s) both on or off campus."

If a student witnesses hazing or is being hazed, he can report the incident to the University Judicial Office or the faculty advisor of the organization.

e also can report to the Greek adviser if the hazing is Greek-oriented, or to the ombudsman, who handles concerns dealing with any violations on campus.

NIU students are beginning the first day of voting in the Student Association Senate elections today and tomorrow to elect the 48 senators for on- and off-campus positions.

Of the 65 senate hopefuls, 24 candidates are running to represent on-campus students and 41 to represent off-campus students.

Students living in District No. 1 (on-campus) are allowed to vote for 16 of the 24 candidates. Students living in District no. 2 (off-campus) can choose 32 of the 41 candidates.

Polling places are located in Founders Memorial Library, the Holmes Student Center, Cole Hall and DuSable Hall, and are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. both today and Thursday.

Students must bring their fall schedules and NIU student IDs to the polling places to be able to vote.

Election results will be displayed at midnight Thursday on the east side of HSC.

A racially derogatory Georgia-based newspaper recently was distributed in the Greek Row area and has caused concern among several NIU officials.

It still is unclear how many copies of "The Thunderbolt," a 20-page publication subtitled "News Suppressed by the Daily Press," were circulated.

"I've not been able to identify that anybody has seen this thing widely distributed. I think its important to keep that in perspective," said Jon Dalton, vice president for student affairs. "The fact that it exists is of concern."

Dalton, who received a copy of "The Thunderbolt" in the mail, said he has directed university staff members to find and remove all copies of the newspaper from Greek Row. He said there has been no indication that any copies were distributed on campus.

Black Student Union President Pam Bozeman said, "I am aware that the paper has been distributed among the DeKalb community, and I am collecting information from the student body about the incident. A full statement from me will follow immediately after my investigation."

Student Association President Jim Fischer said, "From a brief overview of this (Thunderbolt), it appears it's just filled with garbage. It would be interesting to find out why they're distributing this and if they think it's supported by anything substantial."

Dave Fisher, Phi Kappa Theta pledge educator, said a copy of the newspaper was left in a brown envelope on the fraternity's doorstep. He said, "I think it was kind of funny (but) very racist and it is a very one-sided paper. I think it is more stupid that people would believe it."

The newspaper is edited by Dr. E.R. Fields in Marietta, Ga. The paper, which has been in publication for 28 years, states it is "must reading which patriots everywhere depend on."

The issue which reached Greek Row accuses blacks with spreading AIDS and claims that scientific research has proven the races are not equal.

In addition, the paper includes an article entitled, "Mixed Marriage Goes Against Nature—Disrupts Society."

University Programming and Activities Director Michelle Emmett said she had not heard of the publication until Dalton mentioned it to her Monday morning. However, she said her office would assist in the removal of the paper.

"I work closely with the Greek community and I hadn't heard anything about it from any of the greeks. That leads me to believe that not many have seen it," Emmett said.

"Our office certainly has a commitment to try and stop the distribution of these things within student organizations. I don't want to see our student organizations being used as pawns in the distribution of this material," Emmett said.

Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) President Tom Zur said, "I did not hear about it until today (Monday), and I have not seen it yet. The IFC is meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) and we are going to pass a resolution that denounces racism and that particular publication.

"We (IFC) are against anything racist," Zur said. He said he is going cooperate with the university by finding copies around Greek Row and destroying them.

Ken Beasley, assistant to NIU President John LaTourette, said "Thunderbolt" is "a very disgusting piece of trash, and we're trying to get rid of it. It's reprehensible."

Phi Kappa Theta Treasurer Skip Trotter said, "It is basically a communist point of view."

Dalton said the university will investigate the circulation, but said it is too early to determine what sanctions would be taken if it was discovered who is responsible for the distribution.

"I hope the university has been able to demonstrate we're taking a strong stance against these types of things," Dalton said.

Fischer said, "I think it's (the paper's distribution) just clear proof that this campus is not free of racism and that students cannot be misled that it is. Efforts to eliminate racism must be supported by all students on campus."

Karen Perkins, acting president of the Minority Graduate Student Association, said, "Everyone in the university community should be outraged that it surfaced."

Dalton said he does not see any connection with "The Thunderbolt" to last year's "Stump" magazine incident because of "Thunderbolt's" Georgia roots.

"Stump" was a collection of racially inciteful poems and essays written and distributed on campus by three English students last October.

The nature of "Stump," which also included graphic descriptions of sexual acts, resulted in the battery of one of its authors shortly after publication.

As a result of "Stump" and other racial incidents last school year, a task force was formed to investigate racism at NIU. In addition, an anti-racism rally was held at King Memorial Commons in the spring to bring to light the issue of racism on campus.