National Hazing Prevention Week takes over the Breezeway
The crowd consisted mostly of Greek life, with a few athletes and leaders from other student organizations. [Photo by Max Jackson | Photo Editor]
National Hazing Prevention Week began on campuses around the country Monday, Sept. 22 and runs until Sept. 26 in the Breezeway here at FAU.
The week-long event is hosted by the Fraternity and Sorority Council at FAU, but is open to all organizations on campus in an effort to stop hazing from occurring at FAU.
Hazing prevention is still a relevant issue as demonstrated by the marching band hazing incident at FAMU.
In fact, a national study on hazing, “Hazing in View: College Students At Risk” — covering over 11,000 undergraduate students in 53 colleges and universities — revealed that more than half of college students participating in sports and other organizations experience hazing.
Paige Netting, vice president of programming for the College Panhellenic Association, says the purpose of these events is to “try to get the word out about NHPW and letting everyone know that we’re not a hazing community…we really do have a zero-hazing tolerance here.”
Monday kicked off NHPW with “Hands Against Hazing.” Students pledged to stand against hazing by putting a painted handprint on a banner with their name and organizations.
On Tuesday, students took pictures at the greek life table using the hashtag “Real Owls Don’t Haze” to promote hazing awareness on social media including Twitter and Instagram.
Wednesday’s event was an anti-hazing hall competition among the 27 councils in Greek Life that participated in NHPW this year. Each council discussed their views on hazing, followed by an anti-hazing march.
Events will continue Thursday and Friday with the chapters participating in a response challenge — after being given various hazing scenarios, each chapter will have to discuss hazing policies in relation to the scenario given. The winning chapter will be given the chance to compete nationally.
By holding NHPW at FAU, Evelyn Skinner of the National Pan-Hellenic Council wants to make students aware of the extensive reach of hazing. “While students automatically associate hazing with Greek life, other organizations can have hazing [and] those interested in getting involved on the campus need to be aware of the signs of hazing and the impact of it.”
The Fraternity and Sorority Council — the group in charge of the NHPW — regrouped this year, and one of their main priorities is to expand prevention week.
“Right now, we’re still developing,” stated Skinner. “People don’t really know because it’s not a tradition yet, and it should be.”
Emily is a multimedia journalism major. She became a contributing writer in fall 2014 and is pursuing a career in fashion writing. Follow her on Twitter:...
