Cornell University is moving to eradicate "demeaning or dangerous" pledging practices at campus fraternities and sororities.
The Ivy League school in Ithaca wants to avert hazing tragedies like one in February in which a 19-year-old sophomore died after an induction ritual involving coerced drinking.
Cornell President David Skorton says Wednesday he's directed the school's Greek chapters to develop a member recruitment system that doesn't involve students having to perform pledging acts that foster hazing.
Hazing has been banned at Cornell since 1980. But Skorton says it still occurs under the guise of pledging, often perpetuated through traditions carried across generations.
He urged national fraternities and sororities to end pledging across all campuses and says Cornell can help lead the way.
Nearly 2,000 college students in the U.S. die annually from alcohol-related injuries.
