National Hazing Prevention Week is Sept 19-23

National Hazing Prevention Week is just around the corner and you may have already heard a bit about it on your campus. Many college and university campuses will be hosting programs and speakers the week of September 19^th. Our Delta Zeta collegiate chapters can also provide education about hazing prevention and we wanted to provide you with a list of resources to help your chapter spread the word about hazing prevention.

Delta Zeta’s Anti Hazing Policy states:

Delta Zeta recognizes hazing as a most destructive and meaningless activity, inconsistent with Delta Zeta standards.  BE AWARE.  Hazing practices can apply to both new members and initiates.  Its practice demeans the individual and undermines Delta Zeta's values, ideals and principles.

Delta Zeta defines hazing as:

1. Actions that are against accepted Delta Zeta standards of conduct, behavior and good taste.

2. Anything that causes mental anguish or physical discomfort to a new member.

3. Anything that endangers the life of a new member or has the potential to cause bodily injury.

NCM 1/83

The Delta Zeta National Council affirms the following policy:

There shall be no hazing in Delta Zeta. Any member or chapter guilty of any hazing activity shall be subject to serious disciplinary action. Penalties to be imposed for violation of the anti-hazing policy are outlined in the Code of Regulations, Regulation III, and the President's Manual.

NCM 76, A 90, A 7/95

REMEMBER, ALLOWING OTHERS TO HAZE YOUR NEW MEMBERS OR INITIATES IS THE SAME AS YOUR CHAPTER DIRECTLY PERFORMING THE HAZING!

Knowing our policies is a great place to start. Our members should also know what they can DO to prevent hazing. Here is a great list of resources and websites for you to share with your chapter:

• HazingPrevention.org – A non-profit organization whose purpose is to “to provide a variety of educational programs and services in fulfillment of its mission to ‘empower people to prevent hazing’ in college and university student groups.” Visit their site for more specific information on National Hazing Prevention Week and download a free copy of their Planning Guide for Hazing Prevention Week.
•   #40 Answers in 40 Days - a crowdsourced resource for eliminating hazing born of a partnership between Sigma Nu Fraternity and HazingPrevention.org has been tweeting answers to hazing since August 10^th and will continue through the beginning of National Hazing Prevention Week, September 19^th. Just log into Twitter and search the hashtag #40Answers.
• The ResponseAbility Project – The ResponseAbility Project’s purpose is to combat bystander behavior. When faced with hazing, many members might become a bystander and not stand up against what is wrong. Delta Zeta chapters have access to the ResponseAbility video program and the RA Project website has a number of free resources.
• FIPG (Fraternal Information and Programming Group) – FIPG is an organization which provides guidelines, education and resources on risk management. Delta Zeta is a member of FIPG.
• Hank Nuwer – A nationally known hazing researcher, author and speaker, Hank’s website has a comprehensive list of hazing incidents and articles on hazing prevention.
• StopHazing.org – This website has more information on hazing, not on in fraternities and sororities, but in high schools, the military and sports teams. You can find a list of most state’s anti-hazing laws here as well.
• Your campus fraternity/sorority life office may have additional resources as well.

Does your chapter have other resources you’ve used when planning for hazing prevention education? Share them with us using the comments feature below and we may use them during National Hazing Prevention Week posts to our Delta Zeta National Twitter and Facebook feeds.