What Families Need to Know

While not exclusively, a common and dangerous form of college hazing involves forced participation in drinking games, such as consuming large quantities of alcohol (e.g., a fifth of liquor, equivalent to 17 drinks). This often leads to severe injuries requiring medical intervention, or even fatalities. Since January 2000, hazing activities have resulted in over 100 deaths in the U.S., with more than 60% of these tragic outcomes linked to substance use, predominantly alcohol. 

 

The coercion to consume intoxicating substances significantly amplifies the power imbalance between those hazing and those being hazed, making individuals more susceptible to complying with unreasonable or perilous demands. Even minimal amounts of intoxicants impair judgment, increasing the likelihood that students will engage in high-risk behaviors they would otherwise avoid. 

Secrecy is a key characteristic of hazing. Those perpetrating hazing are aware of the impending activities, while participants are deliberately kept unaware of the true risks involved. Tactics like kidnapping, blindfolding, or other forms of sensory deprivation are employed to induce anxiety, misguidedly aiming to foster group loyalty and bonding. 

 

Students often desire to earn their place within a group through effort. A significant hurdle in eradicating hazing is the widespread misconception that those subjected to it have willingly consented. However, the inherent psychology of hazing renders true consent nearly impossible. How can an individual consent to an activity when its details are intentionally concealed? Moreover, valid consent cannot be given when a person is intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, making informed decisions about potential risks impossible. 

We strive to cultivate a campus culture where hazing is unequivocally unacceptable. This is achieved through comprehensive strategies: raising awareness about the breadth of hazing behaviors, advocating for robust anti-hazing policies and sanctions, delivering evidence-based educational programs tailored to student needs, and offering guidance for healthy team building. We collaborate extensively with students, faculty, and staff to conduct research to inform our initiatives and engagement strategies. 

 

Our programming includes providing specialized training required for student organization advisors, alongside numerous presentations for chapters across all four Greek councils. 

 

Crucially, it is vital for bystanders to recognize the importance of closely monitoring friends for signs of overdose and never leaving anyone alone to "sleep it off." 

 

Hazing is a pervasive issue among college students, affecting a significant portion of those involved in various groups. Specifically, 55% of students participating in clubs, teams, and organizations report experiencing hazing. This figure rises to nearly three-quarters for college student-athletes, a rate slightly exceeding that found within fraternities and sororities. Furthermore, approximately half of all college students encountered hazing during high school, which often leads to an expectation of similar experiences in their collegiate careers.

If students experience emotional or physical distress from group membership activities, they should communicate with other group members to gauge shared concerns (as there is strength in numbers). It's also crucial to maintain connections with friends outside the group and confidentially speak with someone at Counseling and Psychological Services. Hazing can be reported by students or families via this link.  

 

The majority of hazing incidents are reported by friends and bystanders. If a student is concerned about a friend being hazed, they should directly discuss their observations regarding the friend's physical or mental well-being, share APSU's counseling and reporting resources, and continue to follow up if anxieties persist. This advice also applies to family members worried about their student.  

 

Even if a hazing activity doesn't pose immediate physical harm, any form of hazing can quickly escalate. Members who recognize that their group's activities are designed to cause shame or jeopardize safety should voice these concerns to fellow members and collectively approach group leaders to suggest alternative activities that prioritize healthy group bonding. 

 

Parents and guardians play a vital role in preventing and intervening in hazing by initiating conversations about it and guiding students toward groups that do not engage in such activities. While most families discuss the dangers of impaired driving, far fewer address the lethal risks associated with rapid, excessive alcohol consumption or the widespread prevalence and dangers of hazing. 

 

Given that students are unlikely to initiate these discussions, parents and caregivers may find it easy to avoid these uncomfortable topics. However, familial expectations and opinions significantly influence student behaviors, both positively and negatively.  

 

Effective discussion starters include: 

• "Which types of groups or organizations have you considered joining, and why?" 

• "What do you know about the group you are joining? How can you learn more?" 

• "What kinds of activities are required for membership? Will it impact your academics? Does it involve drinking?" 

• "How comfortable are you with those activities, or the unknown aspects of the membership process?" 

• "Will you promise to tell me if any activities cause you physical pain or emotional distress, even if the group requires secrecy?" 

 

The initial conversation on a challenging topic is often the most difficult; therefore, avoid attempting to cover everything at once. Spreading out discussions on alcohol, hazing, and other safety concerns will have a more enduring impact than a single, lengthy session. Focus on fostering a two-way dialogue where your student can share their thoughts and ideas, rather than delivering a one-sided lecture. Sometimes, a simple question like "What do you know about...?" can be the best way to start the conversation. 

 

1. Hoover, N., & Pollard, N. (1999). National survey: Initiation rites and athletics for NCAA sports teams. 
2. NPR. (4 May, 2021). As Campus Life Resumes, So Does Concern Over Hazing. 
3. U.S. Hazing Deaths Database. (2023). https://www.hanknuwer.com. 
4. Allan, E.J., & Madden, M. (2008). Hazing in View: College Students at Risk. 
5. University of Virginia. (2022). Gordie Center.