Let’s Not Beat The Life
Out of a Beautiful Legacy
PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY’S
ANTI-HAZING WORKSHOP
2012
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Workshop Goals
• Define Hazing
• Explore the impact of culture on hazing
• Understand the implications of hazing
• Understand responsibilities at every level
• Begin the process of eliminating hazing
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What is Hazing?
Hazing is any action taken or situation created
intentionally that, causes embarrassment,
harassment or ridicule or risks emotional and/or
physical harm to members of a group or team,
irrespective of the person's willingness to participate.
Hazing is about POWER
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Culture frames our view
of the world….
Defining Greek Culture
“Culture for Service and Service for Humanity”
Phi Beta Sigma
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Defining Personal Culture
Genealogy
• Education
• Socio-Economic Status
• Politics
• Geography/Address
• Size – Height and Weight
• Physical Disability
• Sexual Orientation
•
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The Roots of Hazing
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Why Hazing?
“Research indicates hazing continues for a variety of
reasons including for social reasons.”
(McGlone, 2005)
Student Responses
52% indicated they felt closer to their organization/team
 35% felt more accepted by the organization/team
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Students report that as a result of hazing they feel
stronger and have a sense of accomplishment.
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Methods of Hazing
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Subtle Hazing or Mental Hazing
Physical or Violent Hazing
Cyberbullying
Generational Celebrations of Hazing
Alcohol and Hazing
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Is it Hazing?
Ask yourself these questions:
 Would I feel comfortable participating in this activity if my parents
were watching?
 Would we get in trouble if the Dean of Students walked by?
 Am I being asked to keep these activities a secret?
 Am I doing anything illegal?
 Am I risking arrest by participating in this activity?
 Do I want the burden of having a criminal arrest on my record when
I apply for jobs?
 Does participation violate my values or those of my organization?
 Is it causing emotional distress or stress of any kind to me or
others?
 If someone were injured, would I feel comfortable being
investigated by my school’s administration or an insurance carrier?
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Hidden Harm
Hazing can be physically or psychologically harmful
to even perfectly healthy individuals, but mix hazing
with any one of numerous issues individuals may be
dealing with, and the damage can increase
exponentially.
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What is “Bystander Behavior?”
Bystander behavior is what people demonstrate
when they watch hazing occur without intervening.
Every year students watch while other students are
hazed.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things
that matter.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Your charge…………
Avoid clinging to the comforts of
bystander behavior and begin a new
standard of behavior.
There will always be men struggling to change, and there will always
be those who are controlled by the past.
Ernest J. Gaines, African American Author
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Hazing Myths
Is it Myth or Reality?
 Hazing only exists in fraternities and sororities.
 New members want to be hazed.
 Hazing is okay as long as it is not physically
dangerous.
 If someone agrees to participate in an activity, it
can't be considered hazing.
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Hazing Ramifications
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Financial – There is a direct fiscal effect
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Campus Sanctions
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Reputation
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Legal – It is against the law in most states
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Eliminating Hazing
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Say NO to Hazing
Hazing Replacement Activities
Build Trust
Build Respect
Don’t Try to do it Alone
Deal with yourself as a individual, worthy of respect and make
everyone else deal with you the same way.
Nikki Giovanni
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Common barriers to
eliminating hazing include:
 Denial of the problem
 Dismissing hazing as harmless
 Silence
 Fear
 Insufficient support for victims of hazing
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Don’t Be a Part of the Problem,
Be a Part of the Solution !!
Have the COURAGE to
Do The Right Thing.
REPORT HAZING
Students are most inclined to talk with peers (48%) or family
(26%) about their hazing experiences.
Elizabeth J. Allan and Mary Madden
Hazing in View – College Students at Risk – (2008)
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What steps can student leaders, faculty advisors, teachers
and/or administrators take to promote shared responsibility
on campus?
Discuss some of the challenges you might face when taking
action against hazing.
Why is this work important? Or is it simply “political
correctness”?
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Honor The Legacy
We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the
courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their
power toward good ends.
Mary McLeod Bethune, Last Will & Testament of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
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Prevention……
In disease control terms includes measures
designed to prevent the introduction of a disease
into areas where it does not already exist; improve
the resistance of the population; and reduce the
chances of the infection spreading, when the
disease already exists in the population.
“Hazing is an injustice to all of us and we need to raise awareness
within organizations who may be harvesting this culture and let
them know that hazing is unacceptable.”
Rev. Al Sharpton, 2012
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What Do….
 Future Greeks – High School Students
 Pledges
 College Chapter Members & Leaders
 Grad Chapters
 Advisors/Teachers/Coaches
 Administrators/Authorities
Need to Know????
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In 25% of hazing experiences, students
reported that alumni were present.
In 25% of hazing experiences, students
believed coaches and/or advisors were
aware of the activities.
Hazing in View – College Students at Risk (2008)
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Responding to Hazing Incidents
Action Steps to better respond in the event of a hazing incident:
 Look for tell-tale signs of hazing
 Be prepared with a plan for investigating hazing before an issue
is brought up
 Always defer to campus policies and state laws
 The more details you can get about alleged hazing incidents,
the better off your investigation will be and students will be
more likely to admit to them.
 Be calm and professional when confronting students about an
accusation.
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Shifting the Paradigm….
…..A Plan for Change
…..What’s Next?
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and
convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Sources
 Allan, Elizabeth and Madden, Mary - Hazing in View – College
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Students at Risk (2008)
Converge and Associates, Enhancing Cultural Competency
(2009)
Hazing.cornell.edu
HazingPrevention.org
HazingPrevention.org 2011 National Hazing Prevention Week
Guide
Stop Hazing.org
U.S. Department of Education Office of Higher Education
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