Events Highlight Hazing Prevention Week at UNC
As recruitment season is underway and new member processes begin, the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life at UNC is bringing awareness to national anti-hazing efforts and resources that are available to students. National Hazing Prevention Week at UNC is a program to empower UNC students and organizations to prevent hazing.
Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Wellness, and Student Life & Leadership will host a reception and information session on September 27th in the Carolina Union West Lounge . The event, called “Donut” Haze, will provide coffee and donuts, and offer an opportunity for students to learn more about hazing prevention.
“It is very important that we do not fall into the format of groupthink when we know what is asked of us is wrong,” said Ion Outterbridge, UNC Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life. “Instead, we want to change our mindset to incorporate healthy behavior that develops stronger members in all organizations, especially fraternities and sororities.”
Several UNC chapters are organizing their own anti-hazing events, as well. UNC’s Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. launched a #KnOckoutHazing effort on social media last week, and has several events planned this week. KnOwledge is Power, hosted with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., will be held on Tuesday, September 25th, from 6:30pm to 8pm in Gardner 309. Dateline: The College Fraternity Crisis will be Wednesday, September 26th, from 6:30pm to 8pm, in Manning 209.
Tuesday’s event will feature panelists from the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, UNC Counseling and Psychological Services, and UNC Police. “We will have a discussion to help students understand what is hazing, what resources are available if you see it, and what are the ramifications of hazing from a mental health perspective,” said Keondra Jenkins, a member of the sorority and its Educational Development Co-Chair.
Wednesday’s event will be a screening of a Dateline documentary about hazing challenges that have faced fraternities in recent years. The sorority will also host a table in The Pit on Friday where students can sign a pledge to seek resources if they see or experience hazing. Jenkins encouraged all students to attend. “Hazing can happen in any organization,” she said. “We want everyone to understand what it is and the resources they have to prevent it.”
Meanwhile, UNC has resources and help available to chapter members and recruits. Students can anonymously report incidents at http://go.unc.edu/Kd6i5, or call the office of Fraternity & Sorority life at 919-962-8298.