As Commander of the Epsilon Xi Chapter at the University of Mississippi from 2022-23, I frequently heard from leaders in my local IFC community that eliminating hazing from the fraternity experience can seem like an overwhelming and even unattainable goal, mainly because many of us struggle with knowing where to start. But the starting point is more in our purview than it may seem. In my view, we can and will achieve this goal by first creating an environment and culture around hazing prevention rooted in our core principles: Love, Honor, and Truth.
Love: Fostering Compassion and Community
Love is at the heart of every meaningful relationship, whether personal or organizational. In the context of hazing prevention, love means embracing compassion, kindness, and empathy. Hazing often stems from a desire to test or “toughen” new members, but this mindset is incompatible with the principle of love.
Prevention efforts emphasizing Love focus on building connections based on mutual respect rather than intimidation or humiliation. By fostering environments where members feel accepted and supported, we not only prevent hazing but also create stronger bonds built on trust and understanding. Often, fraternity men incorrectly associate hazing with the spirit of unity and belonging. Instead, let Love lead the way in creating an unbreakable bond, ensuring that each candidate and future brother is embraced for who they are, not what they are subjected to.
