Ole Miss Strengthens Campuswide Fight Against Hazing

Some may think that hazing occurs only in fraternities and sororities, but it can be a campuswide problem.

"'Hazing is not UMazing' is a theme you will begin to see and hear more as our institution continues to eradicate hazing through the Hazing Prevention Consortium team," said Sedric Scott, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life. "The Hazing Prevention Consortium experience has helped make our student organizations, athletically-oriented groups, honor societies and our campus as a whole stronger and better."

StopHazing.org leads the consortium and provides mentorship and resources to member institutions so they can educate their campuses about hazing and work toward eliminating it. It also encourages member institutions to send representatives to the University of Maine each year to learn from one other.

Ole Miss' cohort included Arizona State University, Harvard College, Indiana University, New Mexico State University, Princeton University, Rhodes College, Southern Methodist University, University of San Diego, Virginia Commonwealth University and the College of William and Mary.

During its first year, Ole Miss resurrected its hazing prevention task force, originally created in 2018. The task force comprises a variety of campus stakeholders, including students, faculty members and several campus departments, including:

• Department of Student Housing
• Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
• Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct
• Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
• Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

The task force conducted research across campus regarding hazing knowledge and perceptions.

"Being a part of that cutting edge research, we want to make sure that we're making the best decision for our institution based on the data that we received," Scott said.

The group used the data and the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act to strengthen the university's hazing policy and develop a strategic plan.

"Our strategic plan encompasses prevention efforts, public relations, intervention efforts and developing key resources that are sustainable," said Brittany Dawson-Benard, assistant director of conflict resolution and student conduct. "Overall, we want to provide education and outreach to our students, faculty and staff, as well as alumni and community members."

Students on the task force help with the education.

"I wanted to provide my input as a current college student on how to approach educating others on the effects and consequences of hazing in any environment," said Lindsey Cole, a senior biochemistry major from Laurel. "I feel like hazing has such a negative connotation, so students are told to never speak of it to avoid potential conflict."

Every student deserves to be part of an organization where they feel valued, respected and safe, said Deja Johnson, who served as a graduate assistant for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and is programming coordinator in the Center for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement.

"As someone passionate about student development and belonging, I recognized that hazing undermines the very purpose of fraternity and sorority life and student organizations," Johnson said. "I wanted to help create educational initiatives that shifted the conversation from compliance to culture, encouraging students to build organizations rooted in accountability, leadership and genuine community."

The strategic plan provides transparency of hazing and other infractions incurred by campus organizations by reporting them on the division's website.

"Before a student joins an organization, they should take a look to see if the organization has had any hazing incidents," Dawson-Benard said. "I think that's a positive thing, being able to see that information so people can make informed decisions."

The most important aspect is the awareness of what may constitute hazing, Scott said.

"Oftentimes, people think about the forced consumption of alcohol being the only thing that constitutes hazing," he said. "But there are small acts that may go unnoticed that are also hazing such as wearing certain clothes, having to do acts of servitude, having to buy things and providing rides or cleaning services to other members.

"These acts are known as the hazing spectrum and can be found in other places besides Greek fraternities and sororities; they can happen in athletics, band and other clubs."

The task force helped make reporting possible hazing easier and more comfortable.

"A report can be made anonymously through UMatter and the university website," Dawson-Benard said. "We also have RealResponse that we launched this past academic year where folks can text this number (662-66GROVE) with a real human on the other side on our campus responding."

The real-time reporting and response works.

"There have been situations where we've been told information that was going to happen and we've been able to act immediately," she said. "We really want students and parents to know that they can use this if they know something is going on in real time, and we will respond to it."

The campus community education ranges from speaking to parents and new students during orientation to training First Year Experience instructors and resident assistants.

"During these trainings, we always refer back to the hazing spectrum that shows the things that happen more frequently that are unnoticeable, such as sleep deprivation," Scott said.

The William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education and the Confidential Advocacy, Support and Education Office partner with the Hazing Prevention Task Force. They offer alcohol and other drug education and confidential resources and assistance, respectively, as well as peer educators to help inform students that membership in organizations should be supportive and inclusive.

The partners organized a Hazing Prevention Week to provide activities and opportunities for exchange and learning, including bystander training. This year's Hazing Prevention Week will be Sept. 21-25.

"By providing education, resources and opportunities for dialogue, students are better equipped to recognize harmful behaviors, intervene when necessary and create healthier organizational cultures," Johnson said. "These efforts have contributed to a campus environment where students are empowered to prioritize respect, safety and belonging."

Top: Some people think that hazing occurs only in fraternities and sororities, but it can be a campuswide problem and can involve subtle acts that demean or cause physical or emotional hardships for those being hazed. The Division of Student Affairs has completed the three-year Hazing Prevention Consortium program and will host a Hazing Prevention Week on campus in September. Adobe Stock image