Attempting to define hazing by listing behaviors is futile and misguided. Hazing is not a behavior. It cannot be diagnosed simply by comparing observable acts with a list.
Discussing Hazing from the Outside-In
Most conversations about hazing are inside out:
- They start with a narrow set of behaviors banned by state law.
- Then they expand to include additional behaviors outlawed by university and organization policies.
- From there, they can extend indefinitely in multiple directions to include things that are potentially harmful, ethically questionable, impractical, or more.
This approach inevitably leads to a dead-end conversation with students asking, “What else can’t we do?”
The Elusive Predecessor
Yesterday I led an officer transition coaching session with the new council officers at Nebraska Wesleyan University. One of the new leaders asked how to get information from their predecessor, especially when a former officer is elusive and hard to pin down. This may come up for many new leaders, so here are the four things I shared with them:
Recommended Readings for New Fraternity/Sorority Professionals
When we're working with new fraternity/sorority professionals, they often ask us what they should be reading or studying. Our team reads A LOT, so we have a lot of recommendations. It was difficult, but we compiled all list of our favorites. These are the top 25 books we recommend most often. If we had it our way, they would be required reading for everyone working with fraternities and sororities. Enjoy! The New Fraternity/Sorority Professional's Reading List
Why 'Change the Person' Strategies Fail
This sounds reasonable, but why do these strategies fall short (when used alone)?
There is more oxygen in the air in Vegas, we have increased exposure to risky situations in college, and there are social taboos against calling out a friend. Environment is a powerful enabler, and despite our best attempts to be the one to do things differently, the world around us always has a trump card.
What is your impact?
Change the Target
On a recent hazing prevention project, we asked students how they felt about a series of situations commonly associated with hazing. To our great surprise, 75-98% of students found each situation to be unacceptable.
The lesson? We don't need to preach about the perils of hazing. Or hammer home the rules. Or argue about what's ethical. They get it!
Overcoming Overwhelming
At some point in their term, most fraternity/sorority leaders eventually become overwhelmed. Too many projects. Too many commitments. Too little time. No clear next step. And formerly grand visions that seem much more daunting now that it’s time to do the work. The single most important thing you can do in this moment is plan. Dedicate a significant block of time, and sit down to think through every little detail that needs to happen. David Allen would suggest that once you get everything out of your head and down on paper, your stress level immediately drops.
20 Fraternity/Sorority Experts to Follow
28 People You Should Meet
If you're a chapter or council officer, you need to be ready for anything that comes your way. That means starting out by establishing a connection to all the people with whom you might work during your term. At the very least, get these people into your phone, your emai, your contact list, and your planner: