On an administrative level, the issue of high-pressure groups is a tricky one: Universities must deal with balancing an organization's right to express its beliefs with a student's right to be safe.
Rutgers College senior Dan Gaztambide had an experience with a high-pressure group two years ago, which he said cut him off from his family and friends.
"They said, 'Do what we say, or you sin,'" Gaztambide said. "Anyone who came in moderate would be pushed to uber, uber conservative, fundamentalist and literalist. They would stretch the Bible to bizarre conclusions. It really impacted me as a person. I became close-minded and aggressive."
The biggest problem, Gaztambide said, is that it's so difficult to regulate the groups, especially at a public university, which is not supposed to discriminate strictly on beliefs.
"When signing up for a group, there's no way to tell at the administrative level if it's a high pressure group," he said. "To some extent, the University's hands are tied. We need a continuing, ongoing discussion so we can build a defense against the threat. Without people coming, they will die out."
Vice President for Student Affairs Gregory S. Blimling said the situation was partially in the hands of the University as well as with students.
"There are certain things you can and can't do [as a university]," he said. "Students have to make their own choices on what they believe, and what religious values they have. It's difficult to sit in judgment of dogmatic beliefs."
The University can, however, deal with groups that aren't following certain rules.
"Is it reasonable for groups to do 'love bombing,' where they write constantly to students, follow them, call them all the time and harass them?" Blimling said. "Is it reasonable to have somebody with the student day and night? Is it reasonable for groups to be looking for students that are troubled for the purpose of joining? I don't think so."
"We also set rules on how organizations are formed, how procedures are formed," he added. "They have to operate within the University framework."
Regina Navickas, a University College senior who also was involved in a high-pressure group, believes the problem is twofold. First, she said there has to be a better way for students to inform administrators.
"Maybe there's a problem with going to the 'principal's office,' or being a tattletale," she said. "We need a student liaison."
Second, she said, students need to know they should go to someone.
"If you think there might be a problem, there is," she said. "People want to fit in, we're herd animals. There are no village idiots anymore. You have to learn and know you're a worthy person, and people have to reinforce that. The sin isn't joining. The sin is not finding your voice and getting out."
Father Peter Cebulka of the Catholic Center said he hasn't had any personal experience, but that he does get an occasional phone call from a concerned parent.
"[These groups] tend to be secretive or manipulative," he said. "Look at how the group reacts when you ask questions about their headquarters or leaders. Many well-intentioned groups may not have the maturity to communicate in an effective way, or an appropriate way. You must be comfortable entering an organization or group. If they have no good answer, they're either not well organized or there's something more sinister going on."
Cebulka said he had three pieces of advice for students who feel a group they are already in may be a high-pressure group.
"Go talk to somebody, whether it's a campus minister, a counselor, a university administrator, faculty or even your parents," he said. "Talk about your experience and get outside feedback."
Second, Cebulka said, is to do your research.
"Do searches, not just a group's site, but other places," he said. "[Find out] what the history has been. See if other universities have had trouble with the group."
Finally, Cebulka said, trust your own intuition.
"If it doesn't feel right, then it's not for you," he said. "Anything forced or coerced is not a good thing."
Blimling echoed those sentiments.
"I would say talk to the student affairs professionals, the counseling centers or the campus ministers," he said. "Get support. If you feel like you're getting pressured, you shouldn't participate. People's instincts are usually good."
To a great extent, it is those instincts on which students must rely, Blimling said.
"We can't address beliefs, and we don't want to," he said. "We don't want to close minds, but rather open them. We don't want students to have a rigid, dogmatic view, but rather a mind of inquiry, a mind of thinking and a mind of critical reasoning. These do not happen in these groups."
For any student who may be in a high pressure group, Gaztambide believes it is important to get out as soon as possible.
"The repercussions are lasting - it's taken me almost two years, and I'm still dealing with it," he said. "You have to have the courage to know, to say something, even to someone in authority - a pastor or leader. You have to not be paranoid, but have the dimension to think, 'This rubs me the wrong way.'"
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