Hazing Education Program

Hazing Education Program Bowling Green State University Bowling Green State University

Hazing Education Program This Hazing Education Program is a University-wide program created for studentsto assist anyone involved in organizations, athletics, and clubs in learning about hazing. This online training program will provide you with a great deal of information about hazing, including examples of hazing, what to do if you are hazed, and more. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Topics covered today include: • Definition of hazing • Bowling Green State University policy • Ohio state law • Sanctions • Signs of hazing • Myths and Facts • Cases in student organizations • “Benefits” of Hazing • Alternatives • What to do if you are hazed? Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

It is often difficult to define hazing, as no one general definition exists. Let’s examine a few different definitions. • Any action or situation, with or without consent of the participants, which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical, academic health, or safety of a student (University of Michigan) • Any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate (Alfred University) Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

The Code of Student Conduct at Bowling Green State University defines hazing as: Any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties; and/or which demeans, degrades, or disgraces any person regardless of location, intent or consent of participant. Any action or situation that, intentionally or unintentionally, humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any student organization or athletic team. Though each definition may differ, they each convey the same message: Hazing is any behavior that may cause any sort of harm to a person joining a group, regardless of intent or consent of the participant. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green State University has a strong policy against hazing. In keeping with its commitment to a positive academic environment, Bowling Green State University is unconditionally opposed to any situation related to hazing. It is assumed that all Bowling Green State University students, student groups, athletic teams, faculty, and staff are interested in the intellectual and social development of individual members. All forms of hazing on the part of any students, student groups, and athletic teams — whether on or off University property — are expressly prohibited. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Ohio State Law Hazing is a violation of the law in Ohio. Section 2903.31 (A) As used in this section, "hazing" means doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person. (B) (1) No person shall recklessly participate in the hazing of another. (2) No administrator, employee, or faculty member of any primary, secondary, or post-secondary school or of any other educational institution, public or private, shall recklessly permit the hazing of any person. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Legal ramifications could include serving time in jail and fines. Bowling Green State University also has sanctions it imposes on students who violate the hazing policy. If you are found responsible for hazing, you could face any or all of the following sanctions: • Formal reprimand • Disciplinary/Social probation • Service Hours or projects • Mandatory educational programming • Restitution (if property is damaged) • Notification of governing body (i.e., chapter headquarters, NCAA, etc.) • Suspension (individual or group) • Expulsion (individual or group) Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Now that you know BGSU and Ohio state policies regarding hazing, let’s talk about different types of hazing. According to Alfred University (1999), three types of hazing exist: • Humiliation • Substance Abuse • Dangerous Hazing Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

“Greeting” members in a specific way Being required to remain silent or being silenced Being required to walk in groups to class, dining halls, etc. “Phone duty” or required house duties for new members only Any form of questioning under pressure or in an uncomfortable situation Being yelled, cursed, or sworn at Humiliation hazing is socially offensive, isolating, or uncooperative behaviors. Humiliation hazing can be any of the following: • Being singled out • Performing special tasks in front of others or for others • Associating with specific people, not others • Acting as personal servant to older members • Partial or total nudity or stripping • Embarrassing oneself publicly • Being required to carry certain objects Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Let’s examine some cases involving humiliation hazing. • University of Vermont Men’s Hockey Team • At a team party called "The Big Night," freshmen were forced to wear women's underwear, drink warm beer and hard liquor, and parade in an "elephant walk" -- where they moved in a line holding each other's genitals. • Fraternity at Central Florida University • Police were notified of screaming, sobbing and moaning coming from the chapter house, where they found new members crawling on their hands and knees and wearing items such as diapers and women’s underwear. • Fraternity at Cornell University • New members were on dog leashes, naked, attacking pedestrians while members of the fraternity cheered them on from a window in the chapter house. Click on the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Substance Abuse hazing is the abuse of any substance, food, tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs.Substance Abuse hazing can be any of the following: • Drinking alcohol • Participating in drinking contests • Using tobacco • Using illegal drugs • Forced consumption of excessive amounts of any substance, such as water, milk, or alcohol • Eating or drinking unwanted substance, such as alcohol, urine/feces, or raw food • Allowing food or any substance, such as oil, syrup, flour or gasoline, to be thrown at or on you Click on the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Let’s examine some cases involving substance abuse hazing. • Ithaca College Women’s Gymnastics Team and Men’s Wrestling Team • A photo album on Webshots.com titled “ICW & ICG Party & Initiation” depicted women licking whipped cream off men’s chests, men drinking shots off women, and other activities involving drinking. • Fraternity at Southern Methodist University • A new member went into a coma after being forced to consume large amounts of water and hot sauce. After the new member lost consciousness, the men forced him to drink more and punched him in the stomach to make him vomit. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Dangerous hazing is the most common type of hazing seen on college campuses. It includes hurtful, aggressive, illegal, destructive, and/or disruptive behaviors.Dangerous hazing can be any of the following: • Excessive exercise or calisthenics • Making prank phone calls or harass others • Scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, or road trips • Destroying or vandalizing property • Stealing, cheating, or committing a crime • Beating up others or pick a fight with someone • Body alterations including inflicting pain on self, cutting, branding, tattoo, piercing, or shaving yourself or others • Being tied up, taped up, or confined • Exposure to extreme heat or cold • Being physically abused, beaten, or paddled • Being cruel to animals • Being thrown into a pool, ocean, creek, or any other body of water • Not allowed to attend school or complete school work • Deprivation of food, sleep, or cleanliness • Being kidnapped or transported and abandoned • Intimidating new members about what happens at initiation • Physical and mental exhaustion Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Let’s examine some cases involving dangerous hazing. • Cornell Women’s Hockey Team • First-year team members were required to steal large quantities of toilet paper for the personal use of upper class team members who reside off-campus. The new members stole 36 cases of toilet paper from residence halls. • Sorority at Plymouth State University • New members were blindfolded and forced to ride in the back of a sport utility vehicle driven by one of the sorority sisters, which flipped and killed one of the new members. • Fraternity at University of Michigan • A new member was hospitalized with kidney failure due to excessive exercise and deprivation of food, water, and sleep. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

There are also cases which involve more than one type of hazing. • Fraternity at University of Nebraska-Lincoln • Fraternity members forced new members to consume whiskey and beer, screamed profanities at them, urinated on a new member’s bed, struck a new member with a broom, and woke a new member in the middle of the night and forced him to move his belongings to another room. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Click the arrow to continue • Marching band at University of Wisconsin. • Women told to suck on a sex toy or forced to kiss other women in order to gain access to bus bathrooms. • Inappropriate dancing from semi-nude badn members. • Women being forced to draw pornographic pictures for older male band members, recite obscene limericks or stories, and read aloud explicit accounts of their sexual preferences composed for them by others for older male band members. • Demeaning and abusive demands for younger band members to run errands and refill beer cups for older members. • Upperclassmen have been reported to have "taken over" the dorm rooms of freshman women, supplied alcohol and demanded they join in the drinking. Bowling Green State University

As you can see, there are many different actions and behaviors that are classified as hazing. Indeed, there have also been many cases involving different student groups accused of hazing. However, there are many myths that exist regarding hazing. Let’s examine the myths and facts of hazing. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Hazing is nothing more than pranks that go wrong. Fact: Hazing is an act of power and control. Accidents can happen during hazing, but hazing is not an accident. It is victimization. It is abusive, degrading, and can be life-threatening. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: As long as there is not malicious intent, it is not hazing. Fact: There does not need to be malicious intent for hazing to occur. Hazing often occurs when those who are hazing others do not intend malicious harm. Safety is a major factor in hazing activities that many do not consider as intending to harm, i.e., scavenger hunts and kidnappings. However, serious accidents can occur in both of these incidences. Scavenger hunts often turn into races of who can finish the fastest, encouraging individuals to ignore road signs and laws. Individuals have been seriously injured from participating in kidnappings, suffering from condition such as hypothermia and sleep deprivation. Furthermore, when these incidents involve alcohol, there can be deadly consequences. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Hazing is an effective way to teach respect and develop discipline. Fact: Respect is earned, not taught. Individuals who were hazed rarely report having respect for those who hazed them. Furthermore, hazing is a form of victimization. It creates mistrust, hostility, alienation, and resentment, not respect and discipline. It teaches new members that “values” such as deception, coercion, and intimidation are acceptable means for achieving your goals. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: If someone agrees to participate in an activity, it is not hazing. Fact: As mentioned before, consent is not a legal defense of hazing according to Ohio state law and BGSU policy. When someone is pressured by peers to participate in a dangerous activity in order to join a group, it is not true consent. The focus is on what you do, not whether they say you could. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: New members want to be hazed. Fact:Really? Did you new members tell you during recruitment or recruitment visits that they wanted to be physically, mentally, or emotionally hurt? Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Hazing only “a little bit” is not really bad. Fact: Though there are different levels of how severe a hazing incident can be, all hazing is wrong and in most states, considered illegal. Hazing only “a little bit” can have a huge consequence for those involved. It can create a negative experience for the new members and could have legal ramifications for those who are hazing others. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Hazing builds unity among new members. Fact:Hazing may build unity among new members, but has costs as well. The effect of hazing can be compared to the effect of a hurricane: residents feel closer to each other but some are suffering. There are plenty of other ways to build unity among new members that do not include hazing, which will be offered later in this program. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: “If it doesn’t kill you, it only makes you stronger.” Fact:If this statement is true, then child abuse, domestic violence, and torture would be prescriptions for personal growth. Though it is true that difficult situations can help individuals grow and develop, experiences that do not “kill” still do damage because of their psychological or physical impact (Cornell University, 2006). Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Since alumni and current members were hazed, it is only fair that new members go through it too. Fact: “Tradition” is not a justification for hazing. Traditions are created by groups, and groups have the power to change or eliminate them. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Eliminating hazing makes an organization or sports team just like any other social club or team. It will be too easy to become a member. Fact: Hazing is not necessary for an initiation or induction to be unique. A well-organized, creative program builds cohesion and fosters growth. Any group can haze new members – it takes vision and commitment to run a good, non-hazing program. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Enduring hazing is a sign of strength. Fact: People who endure hazing suffer from physical, mental, and emotional abuse, all to be accepted by others or prove themselves worthy. However, standing up to a group of peers or breaking free from hazing takes courage. That is real strength. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Hazing is ok as long as it is not physically dangerous. Fact: Hazing that involves mental and emotional abuse can leave brutal, psychological scars. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Hazing practices preserve the uniqueness of a group or team. Fact: Interestingly, many groups have the same “unique” hazing practices: sleep deprivation, servitude, excessive drinking, calisthenics, lineups, inappropriate clothing, extensive memorization with verbal or physical abuse for the wrong answers, and kidnappings. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Hazing only exists in fraternities and sororities. Fact: Hazing can exist in fraternities and sororities, athletic teams, military units, religious organizations, performing arts groups, and other types of clubs and organizations. Hazing also occurs in high school organizations and teams. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: Hazing motivates new members to do better. Fact: Hazing motivates people out of fear and anxiety. It hinders academic achievement, destroys self-esteem, and causes emotional strain and physical harm. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: I will never get caught or turned in. Fact:If you haze, there will be a time when your peers will have to choose between you as a friend and their own personal integrity and well-being. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Myth: It’s difficult to determine whether or not certain activities are considered hazing. Too much gray area exists. Fact: It is easy to determine if activities are hazing by using common sense and answering the following questions: • Does the activity involve mental distress such as humiliation or intimidation? • Does it involve physical abuse or substance abuse? • Would you have any reservations describing the activity to your parents or a university official? • Would you have reservations describing the activity to your advisor/coach/professor/national office? • Is alcohol involved? • Would you be worried if the activity was shown on the evening news? (Adapted from Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Death By Hazing, 1988; Will Keim, Ph.D., "The Power of Caring“, 1990). If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, the activity is hazing. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

As you can see, there are MANY myths regarding hazing. but now you know the FACTS. Take a stand against hazing and teach others the important facts about hazing! Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Despite all the facts that prove that hazing is wrong, some people still believe that there are “benefits” to hazing. They claim that hazing does the following: • Fosters unity • Develops problem-solving skills • Develops leadership skills • Instills a sense of membership or belonging • Builds awareness of group/team’s history and traditions • Improves relations with other groups/teams However, alternative ways exist that can do all of the things mentioned above and DO NOT involve hazing. Let’s examine the alternatives to hazing. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Alternatives: Foster Unity • Have new members work together on a community service project. • Visit a certified and supervised ropes course to work on group cohesiveness, communication, and leadership skills. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Alternatives: Develop Problem-Solving Skills • Have new members discuss team weaknesses such as poor recruitment, apathy, and poor scholarship, and plan solutions that the active/older members might then adopt. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Alternatives: Develop Leadership Skills • Encourage participation in school/campus activities outside of the group/team. • Develop a peer mentor program within the group/team for leadership roles. • Invite prominent alumni to dinners, meetings, and socials to share their experiences as a member of the group/team and how it has helped them in their professional careers. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Alternatives: Instill a Sense of Membership and Belonging • Plan non-required opportunities where the entire group/team gets together to attend a movie, play, concert, or other event/program. • Plan an induction ceremony that family and friends are invited to watch. • Plan a "membership circle" when active/older and new members participate in a ceremony in which each person has a chance to express what membership means to them. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Alternatives: Build Awareness of Group’s History and Traditions • Invite an alumni to talk about the group/team’s early days, special traditions, and prominent former members. • Invite leaders of the BGSU community to speak on the institution’s goals and expectations of the group/team. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Alternatives: Improve Relations with Other Organizations • Encourage new members to plan social or service projects with new members from other groups/teams. • Have the entire group/team work together to plan joint social or service activities with other organizations. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Other Alternatives to Hazing • Provide study hours for members of the chapter. • Invite college/university or community experts to discuss test-taking skills, study methods, time management etc. • Get involved with campus and community service projects. • Plan fund-raisers for local charitable organizations. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

You have learned much today about hazing: the definition, policy and laws, the three different types of hazing, myths and facts of hazing, as well as alternatives to hazing. Still, it is hard to confront hazing. Here are some suggestions for confronting others if your group/team hazes. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

If your group/team hazes and you want to confront it • Raise your concern with other members that you trust. Form an informal subgroup of members who would be willing to raise their objections to the leaders and larger group. • If the group has relationships with alumni members, seek their support. • Frame your argument at multiple levels. • You may be able to convince some members that hazing is intrinsically wrong and harmful to individuals. Other members may only be persuaded that the risk of getting caught and the consequences that could result make hazing not worth continuing. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

If your group/team hazes and you want to confront it • Take a stand that you do not believe that new members should have to go through what you did. • Offer ideas for alternatives to hazing that can achieve the positive outcomes of initiating new members while eliminating the risks and costs that come with hazing. • Give examples of groups/teams that have developed strong, non-hazing new member programs Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

You tried confronting your group/team, but you were still unsuccessful and they still continue to haze. Here some other alternatives: Seek support outside of the group/team.Groups/teams that haze often try to isolate their new members from others who might challenge them to question what they are going through. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Do not feel obligated to keep the hazing a secret. Demanding secrecy is a common practice designed to protect people who are abusing others. • If you are a new member, you have a right to tell anyone anything you want about what you are going through, even if you were made to promise that you would not do so. • If you are an older member who was hazed in the past, you may want to let new members know what is going to happen to them and help them devise ways to stop it. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Refuse to participate in the hazing. Others before you have done so. Click the arrow to continue Bowling Green State University

Hazing Education Program