The Time To Change Hazing Is Now!
By ERLE MORRING
Hazing is wrong! Students are repeatedly told this by fraternity and sorority national headquarters, athletic organizations and student affairs professionals. This message even appears in many state laws Despite it all, today’s students continue to participate in the negative traditions and bad behaviors of hazing. Until recently, I wondered why.
Students from coast to coast have repeatedly shared with me one consistent theme throughout the past five years. They are terrified to have an open, honest discussion about hazing with campus professionals and the staff members from national headquarters. They fear punishment, sanctions or removal from campus all together. After all, that is the message we have been sending to them for years.
As many say, it is time to think outside of the box. Let us take a fresh, new approach to this age-old problem and develop a plan that empowers our student leaders to create real, long-lasting change within their campus environment. This can only be accomplished with the student, campus professionals and headquarters staff having an open, honest dialogue about the realities of hazing. This process starts with you! I recommend the following.
First, develop an effective curriculum for National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW) focused on providing students with the tools, resources and ideas on how to institute effective, long-term change. NHPW is officially September 20-24. However, you can designate any week you choose as NHPW on your campus. Visit campuspeak.com for more information on NHPW including curriculum ideas and examples of what other campuses have done in the past.
Second, create an amnesty period following NHPW. Encourage students to be honest and open about the realities of hazing and come clean about it. Promise not to impose sanctions if real change occurs.Following the confession, work with the student leaders to create a two, three and four year plan to effectively eliminate hazing.
Hazing certainly did not develop within a semester on your campus. Therefore, it is hard to eliminate it within one semester as well. Give the students a break or two and let the them develop a plan focused on “small wins” to eliminate the problems over a period of time rather than immediately.
I believe in the ability of today’s students to create real change. They must have the tools, resources, ideas and positive support for effective change to happen. Let’s make it happen.
Erle Morring is a professional speaker with CAMPUSPEAK and serves as Vice President of Business Development for Behavioral Health Systems, Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of substance abuse and hazing. For information about Erle and his keynote “Hazed and Confused, visit campuspeak.com/morring. You may also contact Behavioral Health Systems at (800) 245 1150 or visit behavioralhealthsystems.com.
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