RISE Blog | Real Homies Don’t Haze

Written By: Xander Sanders, Peer Educator
Edited By: Kai McDonald & Mak Klie
September 29th, 2023

An important, and sometimes overlooked, aspect of college life is finding friends and building a connections. Regardless of whether you are a freshman, transfer student, or a returning Red Raider, you're probably actively in (or looking for) a peer group that feels right for you! This could be a club, student org., sorority, or job. When it comes to joining orgs and clubs across campus, it's important to know the signs of hazing so you can foster safe and healthy relationships. Everyone deserves the chance to be apart of new groups without feeling intimidated or forced into behavior that compromises your safety.

Hazing is defined by Texas Tech as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless acts, occurring on or off campus, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student for pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose membership consists primarily of students” (TTU Health Sciences Center, 2023). It's not uncommon for students like us to brush off situations that fit this definition. Hazing is often seen as just another ‘formality' required to fit into a new social group. Hopefully we can begin to change that narrative by having honest conversations that destigmatize this topic. Informing each other on what to look out for, how to intervene, and how to prevent it from recurring allows us to build a safer and more welcoming community on campus!

The unfortunate reality is that about 55% of college students involved in school-related organizations have experienced hazing (StopHazing, 2020), and 23% of students were physically injured during a hazing incident (Hazing Prevention Network, 2023). According to the University of Maryland (n.d.), there has been at least one death per year as a result of hazing in the U.S. since 1970, 82% of those fatalities involving alcohol.

It is important to look out for and report any incidents of hazing to help prevent our community from adding to these statistics. By educating each other about this, we can protect those who may be afraid to speak up and challenge harmful traditions that threaten the safety of our peers.

How can you distinguish what is and isn't hazing?

Now that you are aware of the definition and dangers of hazing, we can break down the more nuanced situations and how to handle them. A common misconception is that hazing is limited to Greek life or athletic teams, but in reality, it can happen in any organization or group (StopHazing). Any organization can have traditions or requirements that are deemed “harmless fun” but are actually meant intimidate or set unhealthy standards for new members. When these activities are playfully encouraged by official or titled members, it can be hard to differentiate between what is hazing and what isn't.

Any activity or tradition that causes a student to be demeaned, intimidated, or endangered are forms of hazing. It doesn't matter if it's proposed as “initiation” or if authority figures claim your membership ‘hinges' on compliance; it's still hazing. Common examples of this are: forcing members to make appearance changes, pressuring underage members to use substances, encouraging substance use in dangerous amounts, physical and psychological attacks, or permanent physical markings like tattoos, scars, or branding (Finkel, 2002). Even if a student consents to participating in these behaviors, under TTU's Code of Student Conduct, those actions are prohibited on and off campus.

Hazing be broken up into three categories: (University of Rochester, n.d.)

Power differential hazing
Harassment hazing
Violent hazing

Power differential hazing relates to the dynamic between a potential new member and existing members in an organization. Humiliation is typically associated with power differential hazing and causes more psychological harm than physical. However, humiliation is not the only way to psychologically harm someone. This can also be done by intimidating a new member or abusing the power dynamic existing members have, taking advantage of a new member's fear or anxieties. For example, an existing member forces a new member with claustrophobia to stay in a small, confined area for an extended amount of time. Members of authority may joke and assure you that no one is physically unsafe, but significant harm still happens psychologically.

Harassment hazing is recognized as any activity that causes mental and physical stress, specifically to confuse or frustrate new members (Rochester University). This could include but is not limited to sleep deprivation, deception, verbal abuse, or sexual stimulations (Hazing Prevention Network, 2023 & StopHazing, 2020). Common excuses or justifications for this behavior are that affected members have to “toughen up”, “quit being so sensitive”, or “get thicker skin.” Despite these excuses, there is no valid reason for abusive behavior. Forcing new members to perform sexual activities or sexually harassing a new member as a part of their ‘initiation' falls into both harassment hazing and sexual assault. These instances should be reported to your campus' Dean of Students/Student Conduct office and Title IX representatives.

The last form of hazing is known as violent hazing. You may have correctly guessed that this form takes the physical or mental safety of new members and directly threatens them. Forced underage or unsafe substance use (i.e., binge drinking, use of controlled/banned substances) fall into this category (StopHazing, 2020). Any form of physical violence or sexual assault does as well. Violent hazing is the often the riskiest, as participation is more likely to end in injury or death. Studies and surveys have shown that 1 in 5 student-athletes are victims of violent hazing activities involving kidnappings, abandonment, or physical attacks (Finkle, 2002). Another study from 1982 demonstrated that 44.64% of reported hazing incidents required medical attention (Finkel, 2002). The possibility of students being subjected to traumatic hazing is concerning, and none of us wants our fellow Raiders to be harmed at Tech. The unfortunate reality is that many of us don't understand what hazing is and thus, many cases go unreported. Minor injuries may go unacknowledged, and even serious injuries might not receive proper medical care due to the shame and pressure that often accompanies these activities.

How else can you create healthy bonds with new members?

You might have heard that hazing (likely not named so directly) creates bonds between existing members and potential new ones, or that it establishes a sense of accomplishment because one day you'll get to be on the other end of it (Hazing Prevention Network, 2023). Ironically, there is no proof that either of these things is true. The national Hazing in View study found that 78% of students did not identify with a sense of accomplishment and 69% of students reported that the outcome of their experience did not bring them closer or establish a better bond with other members (Allan & Madden, 2008). This proves the perceived benefits do not outweigh the real consequences of hazing. If you or someone you know is considering participating in hazing, ask some questions like, “Is it worth going to jail over?”, “Getting expelled?”, “Losing scholarships?” If you are part of active membership that perpetuates hazing, ask yourself whether or not the outcome is worth causing someone permanent harm or trauma. Is it worth that person's life? We'd all agree that whatever the activity is, it isn't worth any of those things. There are always alternative and safe options to hazing.

Let's discuss some healthier alternatives to hazing that actually build those bonds between new and existing members. We want to be a part of organizations that create mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy environments!

Alternate activities to hazing: (Georgetown University, 2019 & University of Maryland, n.d.)

Discuss expectations, traditions, and values of the organization
Invite past Alumni of the organization to give a few tips or skills they used to succeed there
Plan group activities that don't involve substance use, like board game or movie nights
Create teams for intramural sports
Host a Family Weekend Activity
Request educational presentations from Tech departments on important subjects
Attend a theatrical production or an athletic event as a group
Have new members shadow officers and/or assist in planning a program/event
Have a new member-returner buddy system (like Big/Little sisters in sororities)
Plan a group trip or retreat
Work on creating a fundraiser or community service event

Why should you know how to recognize hazing?

Now you have the knowledge and understanding of hazing that makes a difference in our culture! Anyone can recognize that it's uncomfortable to watch someone do something they don't want to or being demeaned for entertainment. By being able to recognize hazing, you can stand up for, empathize with, and even intervene on behalf of other students who might be scared to advocate for themselves. We want to shift away from being a society that tolerates hazing rituals in organizations, and this is the first step. Remember, even seemingly harmless activities or actions can escalate to become dangerous or violent situations. Regardless of consent, hazing is prohibited on our campus, and we all share the responsibility of looking out for and protecting each other. With this in mind, never be afraid to question certain behaviors and activities if there is concern about hazing. You may receive pushback, or be undermined for your concerns, but you have the power to identify the issue and report it if you aren't being taken seriously. Hazing prevention doesn't have to diminish the fun or excitement of welcoming new members into your organization! There are so many creative and healthy alternatives that can create a new and improved era of student life! Healthy and safe groups will appeal to potential members in new ways, making your members true leaders for students to look up to.

No one's mental or physical health should be risked to maintain or gain membership in any type of organization. If you're concerned you or someone you know has been a victim of hazing, there are resources available to you. Any concerns you have can be reported through this form. RISE is also always here to work with organizations or individuals on campus to overcome challenges or assess concerns you may have. Please visit us in our office on the second floor of Drane Hall, room 247, or reach out to us via email or phone. Our phone number is (806) 742-2110 and our email is rise@ttu.edu.