Hazing is quite simply an attack on human dignity. It is an unnecessary and indecent act committed by people in a position of power. There is no need nor a reason for hazing to occur.
Yet, it does. It occurs around campus, in organizations ranging from athletics to organizations within Greek Life. This is not a problem that only plagues Greek Life. Hazing can infiltrate any organization, no matter what type or how prestigious.
Sure, some would argue what they are doing is not hazing, it is simply a ritual — a form of team building, a form of bonding. Creating a sense of brother or sisterhood by putting the new members through the same series of tests, bullying, excessive drinking or other forms of mistreatment they went through.
It’s just a rite of passage, right?
Wrong.
These “rites of passage” — whether they be physical, verbal, mental or emotional tests or torments — are, at their root, abuse. They can and do cause physical, mental and emotional harm.
While hazing is most commonly thought of as physical abuse, any type of hazing that causes mental or emotional harm is just as detrimental to someone’s health and wellbeing. These mental and emotional wounds leave permanent scars, and those types of wounds can take much longer to heal than any physical injuries.
Abuse is often cyclical, and hazing is no different. New members who get hazed often graduate to become those who haze new members. This becomes a perpetual cycle — a cycle that takes a strong voice and someone in a position of power to end.
Hazing fosters this cycle by causing a perpetual power struggle with experienced members looking to bolster themselves and create a sense of respect. Instead, it can often foster an environment of fear and frustration.
If an organization truly cares about its members or their wellbeing, new members would never be subjected to any form of abuse, disrespect or harassment. There are other ways to foster kinship and closeness that do not require obnoxious and dangerous displays of power and a community that fears retribution and retaliation.
Like many forms of abuse, hazing fosters a culture in which people are scared to stand up for themselves or what is right. They are afraid to come forward and blow the whistle to those who can help because they fear they may lose their spot in whatever organization is hazing them. They fear they will miss out on all the good things and all the great opportunities those organizations can provide.
And, in some of the most extreme situations, those who have been hazed and those who have witnessed hazing, who may not have taken part in it, put themselves at risk of punishment when they are too afraid to come forward.
Hazing can become ingrained in an organization’s culture, and those who stand against hazing may be looked down upon as standing against the organization, against its traditions and against its leadership.
Yet, if an organization is truly looking to build a strong sense of human connection and relationships, there are team-building exercises and retreats that it can participate in. There are activities that build trust and a strong bond with one another in a healthy manner.
These activities follow the so-called purpose of hazing — to build kinship — without all the negative side effects and consequences.
The repercussions for hazing far outnumber any perceived benefits it may have. Hazing can cause an organization to lose its charter, someone in need could lose their scholarship, individuals could face disciplinary or legal action and it could cause lifelong harm to someone’s mental health or even death.
Auburn University has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing. There is no excuse, no alternative reasoning that can justify the abuse. That means there is also nobody who is free to get away with hazing.
The University has systems in place to protect those who are being hazed. If you or anyone you know is being hazed, or you know of any organization that is actively hazing, please stand up. Empower yourself and protect your fellow students.
If you are hazing someone or your organization is hazing, do the right thing: end it and report it.
You can report instances of hazing to auburn.edu/stophazing.
If you are struggling with the emotional or mental burden of having been hazed, there are resources on campus that can help you. Visit auburn.edu/scs or call 334-844-5123.
And if you have a story you would like to tell, email editor@theplainsman.com or use one of our secure news tip options at www.theplainsman.com/page/send-a-tip
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to articles marked "opinion" or "editorial." This editorial is the majority opinion of the Editorial Board and is the official opinion of the newspaper.
The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors, not the opinion of the newspaper. And often, those individual opinions conflict with the opinion of the newspaper.
These opinions do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.
