Greetings!
This
newsletter is coming to you on the wings of three very exciting events since
September: a stimulating and focused 6th Annual National Hazing Symposium hosted by the University
of Maine, followed by an ambitious HPO Board meeting held at Green Lake, Maine. The
third, of course, was National Hazing Prevention Week in which you and your campus/organization
may have participated (If you have not sent information on your NHPW events,
please do so right away via email or by completing this online form).
It's not too late to submit photos of your NHPW events for our contest (deadline November 1). The deadline for the ZTA Award for Innovation in Campus Hazing Prevention & Education is November 15th. This award comes with a $10,000 cash prize for the campus with the best comprehensive, year-round, administration-supported hazing prevention programming. A huge THANK YOU to those sponsors who have renewed or joined us for the first time this year. See them here, and get more information about becoming a sponsor or campus member.
Finally,
as you gear up for a busy winter and spring, remember that HazingPrevention.Org is a rich source of resources available for you to use.
Browse what is available here. Allow at least one week for shipping. |
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What did YOU do?
Campuses, organizations and individuals focused on Changing their Environment - the theme for NHPW 2009-2010. Here are some of the highlights of prevention programming held across the country:
Catalyzed by the HPO Hazing Prevention Planning webinar held on June 30, Chi Omega developed a year-round plan based upon their six purposes - providing activities, worksheets and discussion prompts that connect hazing prevention to each purpose. They publicized the plan and NHPW in their magazine, website, on their Facebook page, and through a recorded webinar to explain it to their members.
Delta Gamma also developed a comprehensive national plan which involved social media, advisor training, distribution of the NHPW Resource Guide, and shared a recorded message with all of their members about bystander behavior. Listen here.
 Florida State held a series of events throughout the week including a Garnet Ribbon campaign across campus and on Facebook, an advisor's session covering campus policy and how to find resources to deal with hazing, two presentations for sports clubs and other students, faculty and staff by a nationally-known hazing expert, as well as organizational consultations with said expert for those who wanted to sign up, and finally, the signing of a community pledge not to participate in hazing activities. Check it out here.
Colorado State Greeks created a special splash page for their website during NHPW.
The University of Maine developed an outstanding piece on bystander behavior based upon the results of the 2008 National Hazing Study. Gus Burkett and Karen Hawkes wrote and designed the piece based upon the research by Drs. Allan and Madden.
Zeta Tau Alpha sent a special email message to their chapters with links to important information including a special multimedia message, and promoting their anti-hazing program - My Sister, My Responsibility.
The local Kappa Sigma chapter helped Cal State Stanislaus observe NHPW for the first time this year by distributing information and buttons from a table on campus, hosting a viewing of the documentary HAZE with the Student Leadership Development Program, and hosting a speaker on the legal ramifications of hazing for all Greeks on campus.
Finally, SUNY-Geneseo developed a video of their NHPW activities.
For lists of activities and contact information from schools that have shared information with us over the past five years of NHPW's existence, go here. If you haven't observed NHPW yet, it's not too late. Hazing prevention programming should take place year-round. NHPW can be observed during the school calendar whenever it makes the most sense for your schedule.
Just do something! And let us know about your great activity, please. You may be highlighted in a future edition of the newsletter.
We are interested in your photos of NHPW activities too. They can be submitted to info@hazingprevention.org along with a 200 word (or less) description of what and who is depicted in the photo for a chance to win a cash prize. Deadline November 1.
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6th Annual Symposium Held at University of Maine
Fifty-five participants gathered in Orono October 1 & 2, 2009 to discuss three main questions: 1. What do we know? 2. What do we need to know? 3. How can we better collaborate to achieve our hazing prevention goals? The aim of this symposium was to develop a national agenda for hazing prevention, and four broad goals formed the basis for the program agenda: - Advance research to inform prevention efforts
- Develop and implement evidence-based prevention
- Expand advocacy for hazing prevention
- Build capacity of organizations to effectively prevent hazing
The process on Thursday night began with a review of "what we know," as researchers including Drs. Elizabeth Allan & Mary Madden, Chad Ellsworth, Dr. Margery Holman, Dr. Tim Marchell, Lauri Sidelko and Dr. Norm Pollard reviewed current hazing literature as the underpinning of the discussion. Small group discussions then added what we know from practitioner experience about how to effectively prevent hazing. Friday's program began with a presentation from Dr. Linda Langford from the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention. Dr. Langford shared the components of effective prevention efforts including understanding the risk and protective factors, focusing on evidence-based strategies, and insuring that initiatives are based upon the following principles: prevention and response focus, systematic planning, comprehensive in nature, multi-component, strategic and targeted to priority problems (identified through data), collaborative and multisectoral, supported by infrastructure, systems and institutional commitment, research-based and evaluated. Discussion about what needs to change yielded five broad categories which informed the rest of the day's goal-setting: - Increase the number of people who can identify and recognize hazing.
- Increase collaboration and consistency in educational programming and reporting of hazing.
- Increase capacity and skills for bystanders to act on hazing.
- Decrease the normalization of hazing behavior by individuals, groups and the media.
- Increase the use of social-norming techniques to put hazing into the proper context.
From this point, participants selected two areas they wanted to contribute to, and action steps were developed to form the basis of a national plan for hazing prevention. The notes from the program are currently being compiled by graduate students at the University of Maine, and will be shared with the public for input and further discussion in the coming months. The first national agenda for hazing prevention will be released more broadly after the new year. If you are interested in being a part of these efforts, please let us know. |
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Volunteer Spotlight
Marilyn
Fordham
Founding
Member, HPO Board of Directors
by
Ruth Goodman
"I'm so excited to have been involved with HPO from its
founding and to see the possibilities ahead," said HPO board member Marilyn
Fordham. "We have the right mission and the right message for this time."
In
her two years on the board, Marilyn has served on HPO's Governing and
Nominating Committee, working in the governing documents, parliamentary
and resolutions areas. She's also been the primary liaison with
the NPC member groups to seek their support of HPO.
"Years ago in women's groups, alcohol was never involved in
hazing; now it's nearly always involved, making the ability [for participants] to
know when to stop impossible," she said. "I believe when we work closely
with small groups of students, we can change their perspective on hazing. If we
can start in the junior high schools and even grade schools at some point,
we'll have a better chance of reducing hazing in colleges and
universities."
Marilyn,
a past national president of Delta Gamma, says that her fraternity has been
behind her every step of the way as she's taken on new volunteer opportunities,
including her work with HPO. She has shared her expertise in drug, alcohol and
anti-hazing education during interfraternal NPC, AFA and Coalition Assessment
work, and has served on the Inter-Fraternal Task Force on Alcohol & Other
Substance Abuse Issues and the U.S. Department of Education's Review
Group.
With regard to HPO, Marilyn said she is especially proud of
the National Hazing Prevention Week Resource Guide, as well as the National
Hazing Symposium, which brought the discussion of hazing to the forefront among
campus student affairs professionals.
"Our webinars are also drawing more and more campus
professionals and students, and the Interdisciplinary Institute for Hazing
Intervention is becoming the best-known training on hazing prevention
issues. Because of all of that and our other programs, we've made more
people aware that hazing is a major societal issue which must be addressed."
_________________________________________________________
Dan Bureau has been honored by the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors with a Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Award, which will be presented at the AFA Annual Meeting in Jacksonville, FL this December.
This recognition is given to five individuals annually who contribute to the fraternal movement in many different ways.
"Dan has given his time, energy and talents to support the fraternal movement in so many ways," said Jen Pendleton of the AFA Foundation. "It is wonderful to have this opportunity to recognize him."
Tracy Maxwell, Executive Director of HPO said, "Dan Bureau is one of the hardest working individuals I have ever met! I am constantly amazed at what he is able to accomplish,and at the dedication with which he tackles every new endeavor. I feel grateful everyday that he said yes when I asked him to serve on
the Board of Directors of HazingPrevention.Org. Even though he is currently serving on at least 2-3 other boards, Dan's dedication
to the elimination of hazing is clear, and his service to our organization, phenomenal."
If you would like to honor Dan's achievement with a donation to either the AFA Foundation or HazingPrevention.Org, Dan, and we, would be grateful.
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THANK YOU 2009-2010 PREMIER LEVEL SPONSORS
CAMPUSPEAK - 6 year sponsor
Delta Gamma - 5 year sponsor
Sigma Nu - 6 year sponsor
OUR WORK WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT
YOUR EXTRAORDINARY SUPPORT.
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Editor - Hank Nuwer, Franklin College Editorial Board: Ruth Goodman, Alpha Xi Delta Lisa Gregory, Delta Gamma Jill Lewman, Alpha Gamma Delta Lisa Thibault, Kappa Alpha Theta
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Webinar Program
What's The Problem?
November 17, 2009
2 - 3:30 p.m. Eastern
$50 fee per site
Presented by:
Mike Dilbeck, BECK&CO and CAMPUSPEAK Speaker
Kim Novak, Campus Safety & Risk Management Specialist
MORE INFORMATION
How can we empower students to act if they don't see hazing as a problem, or don't identify what they are doing as hazing?
This webinar will delve into the
first two stages of bystander behavior: (1) notice the event; and (2)
interpret it as a problem. This is a critical conversation to have as
we set out to intervene in hazing as well as other problematic
behaviors. Until we actually see
and interpret something as a problem, there is no pull for
intervention.
Faculty, staff, students, and volunteers are invited to join us for this dynamic program that will empower participants to:
1. Articulate
the importance of moving through all the stages of intervention in
order to bring about change, focusing on the first two stages Stage 1 - Notice the Event & Stage 2 - Interpret behaviors as a Problem.
2. Identify individuals or organizations that do not notice hazing behaviors as a problem and what contributes to this disconnect
3. Design
strategically developed training to move their community/organization
through critical stages of implementing Bystander Intervention. |
Seeking Host Campus for 2010 June Institute!
Click on the logo above to download a request for proposals (RFP) for the June 2010 Institute - due November 20th.
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Thank You to Lisa Hurwitz, Dan Bureau, Mandi Wise and David Stollman, all original board members from HPO's founding whose terms will end in December. We will miss them tremendously on the board, but all four will be staying involved in other volunteer roles.
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TAKE ACTION
IN SEARCH OF HEROES
HAZING IN PRO SPORTS
An Editorial By Dan Wrona of RISE Partnerships
At the beginning of each season, it is common to see reports of
rookie hazing during training camp.
The last few years, however, the number of reported incidents in
professional sports is staggering.
Over a three week period during the month of August, Google Alerts for
the words "haze," "hazed," and "hazing" produced news stories on incidents involving
more than a dozen teams of the National Football League, Major League Baseball
and even Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment! The culprits included:
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Washington
Redskins tied up and doused their rookies with ice water.
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Denver
Broncos made rookies do loose ball drills on a wet and muddy field while being
doused with water.
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Philadelphia
Eagles rookies are responsible for carrying pads, doing personal errands and
paying for a charged-up dinners.
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Boston
Red Sox made rookies dress up like characters from the Wizard of Oz.
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New York
Yankees made rookies and support personnel dress up like characters from
Batman.
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A series of
"NFL Pranks" from various teams was also reported by ESPN.
Of course, the increasing volume of these reports is one issue. Of larger concern is that players,
coaches and reporters consistently demonstrated a casual, matter-of-fact
attitude about each hazing practice.
"It's all part of being a rookie" commented David Weinberg of the Press
of Atlantic City. As quoted in The
Gazette, Alphonso Smith of the Denver Broncos said, "We've just
got to have fun with it."
And ESPN reporter Laura Lane signed off on the list of NFL antics with,
"Happy Hazing!"
Regardless of the harm, fun or consent involved, these
practices need to be viewed by the public as a major problem. Each report provides validation to
young fans who seek to emulate their heroes. Snickering bystanders only worsen the impact by teaching
that hazing should be entertaining, expected and accepted without a second
thought. In the end, as explained
by Hank Nuwer, students become confused and surprised when they get in trouble
for mimicking their role models. Thanks
to the actions of these "heroes," we are now challenged to reeducate the next
generation of leaders, athletes and citizens about the danger, ethics and true effects
of hazing.
To see the impact of their poor choices on high-school students,
you won't need to look any further than these reports from that same three-week
period:
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Students on
a high school hockey team were paddled with hockey sticks
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A high school basketball player was attacked during
camp
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Coaches forced a student to dive into a pool while fellow
team members threw equipment and snowballs at him
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And students were tied up, then degraded and mistreated
upon joining the Marching Band.
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Volunteer Opportunities
by
Lisa Gregory
Have you been considering joining the international hazing
prevention movement in an important way? If so, consider donating your time and
talent to volunteer with HazingPrevention.Org (HPO).
"There are a lot of ways to be meaningfully involved in the
organization and we've taken time to make sure that people have a good
experience. We don't want to roll
people into a job and have nothing for them to do," said Dan Bureau, volunteer coordinator.
Under Bureau, HPO has increased its emphasis on organizing
volunteers through a volunteer management plan that incorporates recruitment,
retention, management, recognition and evaluation of volunteers.
"People can get involved in standing committees that emphasize
programming, marketing, resource development, or get involved in the planning
of some of our educational efforts," explained Bureau.
Volunteer work with HPO does not just benefit the organization; it
benefits HPO volunteers, Bureau stressed. By providing meaningful projects in both advocacy and higher education,
volunteers develop the skills they want to learn and can apply to other
professional areas in their life.
"My goal in volunteering with HPO is to send a wake-up call to those
who haze and who are being hazed, since there is no reason to treat someone we
call 'brother,' 'sister,' 'friend' or teammate' in degrading, soul-diminishing
ways," said Ruth Goodman, HPO editorial board member and editor of Alpha Xi
Delta's national magazine.
HPO matches volunteer needs to the experience and skill level of
each volunteer. Some volunteers have up to 25 years of professional experience
and some are high school students.
Intrigued? Take a few minutes to read about the different opportunities
available and then complete this volunteer form so that you can be matched with the best opportunity for
you.
"Volunteers can even lead a local effort. We can give you the skills, but you
have to have the motivation.
Staying informed and doing something in your community can be an
important way to stop hazing," said Bureau.
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