UD strives to stop hazing on campus

A student at a New England university blindfolded and stuffed in the trunk of a speeding car during a fraternity pledge process. An upperclassmen barking instructions and giving grunt work to first-year students on a swim team. A mother mourning her 19-year-old son after his death from a brain injury after being repeatedly tackled during a "team building" activity gone wrong.

These are just a few of the stories shared by the Hazing Prevention Network, a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower people - especially high school and college students - to prevent hazing.

This week (Sept. 22-26) is National Hazing Prevention Week, and University of Delaware officials are using this time to educate students about hazing and how it's harmful to the whole community.

"Hazing is any forced or required action that creates a power imbalance and/or endangers the physical, emotional or psychological wellbeing of individuals who are trying to join or remain in a group," said Adam Cantley, assistant vice president for student wellbeing, support and advocacy. "This is regardless of an individual's willingness to participate."

Hazing isn't just against University policy; it's illegal in the state of Delaware.

"It is important for students to understand that the University takes hazing seriously and, as a standard practice, shares hazing reports with law enforcement," Cantley said.

Hazing can take many forms. Behaviors include, but aren't limited to: harassment or verbal abuse, acts intended to embarrass or humiliate, forced chores or servitude, physical abuse or assault, forced or coerced alcohol or drug use, sleep deprivation and any other behavior that creates a power imbalance between established members of a group and those seeking to join or maintain membership. As Cantley mentioned, it is still hazing by definition even if a student willingly consents to the activity.