A university-wide hazing prevention team has formed this semester to work with students and stakeholders to end hazing practices on campus. The first meeting was held last week.
Students, faculty, and staff representatives from RecSports, ROTC, the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, the Center for Health Education and Wellness, the Center for Student Engagement, Athletics, the Office of Student Conduct, and the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, are part of the effort. Trey Robb, assistant director in the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, chairs the team.
The group formed after staff from the Division of Student Life attended the Novak Institute for Hazing Prevention. Staff returned to UT and decided to build a team of representatives from across campus to work on hazing prevention initiatives.
Robb believes the team will be an important addition to the university’s safety and wellness efforts.
“The development of a robust team that will address the serious issue of hazing, using research and a public health prevention model, is paramount in providing a safe and meaningful experience on our campus,” he said.
“The model is unique and is only being used in a few places across the country. Most groups focus on punishments for hazing activities while we are focusing on changing the culture and behavior surrounding hazing on our campus.”
The group, which will work closely with Vice Chancellor for Student Life Vincent Carilli, will regularly report to campus partners about its work and recommendations.
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Media coverage: News Sentinel, Rachel Ohm, Nov. 1 (ran in 18 other outlets as Associated Press content)