CCU Greeks partakes in National Hazing Prevention Week

National Hazing Prevention week was Sept. 18-22, and CCU’s Greek Life was out spreading awareness.

Hazing prevention week isn’t just a thing for Greek Life, but also includes sports and other organizations on college campuses.

According to the hazing prevention website, the definition of hazing is "any action was taken or any situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule, and risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group or team, whether new or not, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate."

Different organizations of CCU’s Greek Life were tabling throughout the week in order to bring awareness to the cause and inform people about CCU’s policies.

Sigma Sigma Sigma President Hannah Staley explained why the week is so important.

“We want them to feel welcomed, we’d rather love them than hurt or embarrass them,” Staley said.

Staley said the week helps bring awareness to the stereotype of sororities and fraternities’ hazing isn’t true on CCU’s campus and many procedures are put in place in order to keep it from happening.

Brittany Bowles, the director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said that the week is a good thing, especially in light of recent events.

With the death of Timothy Piazza at Penn State in February and a possible hazing-related death at Louisiana State, Bowles said that it’s in the forefront of everyone’s minds. During the week, the Today Show did a story and brought in experts and Piazza’s parents to talk about hazing prevention.

“I think it helps break down some of the stereotypes and it also helps raise awareness about hazing and what to do if something is going on and who to talk to,” Bowles said.

On CCU’s campus, student’s can contact the Dean of Students' office or go online to fill out an anonymous survey that will go to the Dean of Students' office to be investigated. If the complaint is found to be true then the organization could have to go through an educational program or even lose their charter on campus.

Bowles said that while the week does help go against misconceptions, it isn’t always going to change people’s minds.

“People are always going to have stereotypes and misconceptions about hazing, fraternity and sorority life, and so I think it’s something that always a constant thing we’re working with and dealing with and trying to put out what it actually is to be a member of these organizations,” said Bowles.

To find more information about hazing prevention, click here.

Student’s can find the organization conduct information and confidential hazing report here.

(Photo: Penn State)