What You Don't Know About Hazing Can Kill You

A one-hour interactive program for Greeks, Athletes, Bands, ROTC, etc. Large audience or small workshop.

A one-hour interactive program for Greeks, Athletes, Bands, ROTC, etc., this program can be done as a large-audience format, or as a workshop where audience members are challenged to work in small groups and think critically to identify problematic practices that might violate state hazing law and/or campus policy. Audience members are encouraged to propose alternative events and practices that would still allow for group engagement without violating law/policy.

This program identifies what constitutes hazing, and talks about the history of hazing practices within college organizations. Brett talks in frank and realistic terms about famous cases and well-known hazing practices. He identifies key problems, including consent to being hazed, the coercive influence of groups, placing the responsibility for stopping hazing squarely on the students who engage in it. Brett talks about leadership, the perception of organizations that haze within their communities, and learning to listen to the quiet voice that knows the behavior is wrong. Peer influence is recognized for what it is, and students are encouraged to stand in the face of their peers when the group is engaging in an unhealthy or dangerous norm.

Hazing has its roots in a search for belonging, and the privilege of those who already do to determine who else enters the group, and under what terms they may do so. For students to abandon hazing practices requires a willingness to recognize the privilege and the desire to belong for what they are, and ask students to change or relinquish traditions and rituals that pose a threat of danger or abuse. To do this, we have to share with students ideas for how to transform their initiations, pledging, joining, rushing, and membership activities into meaningful associational activities, positive traditions, and group-building rituals.

In addition to our student programs, NCHERM offers more than thirty risk management workshops which can accompany any student program.

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