This week, Sept. 23 to Sept. 27 is National Hazing Prevention Week. IUP hosted multiple events to raise awareness of hazing and provide strategies for hazing prevention.
Hazing is defined as an initiation ritual that causes physical or emotional harm to members. The university policy gives more specific examples, such as forcing members to ingest illicit substances, undergo physical and sexual violence or break the law.
On Wednesday in Elkin Hall, IUP hosted an event in honor of National Hazing Prevention Week. The event was an opportunity for sorority and fraternity members to handprint a canvas in color with a written promise not to engage in hazing. Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Betsy Sarneso oversaw the project.
IUP Dean of Students Adam Jones wants our community to realize that hazing can happen anywhere. “Hazing is not a problem exclusive to our social Greek letter organizations but touches all types of organizations across various contexts,” said Jones.
Jones noted that Student Affairs has worked to educate faculty, staff and students on hazing, sharing the options present to combat the issue at IUP. Students are educated through training sessions including Greek 101 events, general hazing information sessions and events held during Hazing Prevention Week.
Free Green Dot training for bystander intervention is offered for IUP staff, faculty and students. Green Dot training provides knowledge, tips and skills that educate on situations that involve hazing and greatly assist in preventing them.
“It’s about stepping in if you see something wrong,” said Sexual Violence Prevention Educator Jennifer McCroskey.
McCroskey noted that their training includes tactics on navigating pressure to drink alcohol or take illicit substances.
Phi Sigma Kappa member Aidan Husa (sophomore, history), told The Penn that too much weight is put on student members of IUP Greek Life to prevent hazing and that he wishes the university did more. “IFC does not hold many groups accountable,” Husa said, “It’s their responsibility to keep fraternities and sororities on campus in check.”
Husa expressed happiness that he has never experienced hazing during his time at IUP and further clarified that his personal experience has been extremely positive. “I’m proud to be a part of a fraternity that doesn’t haze and to be around a great group of guys,” Husa said.
The Office of Community Standards enforces the university’s anti-hazing policy, but victims of hazing should also report directly to the appropriate authorities.
