Hokies Don't Haze helps students build safer communities
The effort promotes belonging and safety on campus while helping students understand their rights and responsibilities in student organizations.
Student leaders from the Interfraternity Council tabling to spread awareness about Hokies Don't Haze. Photo by Jaik Tom for Virginia Tech.
When students join a fraternity or sorority, sports club, or any other student organization, they are embarking on a journey to make Virginia Tech feel more like home.
Hokies Don’t Haze, a commitment to a hazing-free experience organized by Fraternity and Sorority Life and Student Engagement and Campus Life, helps students explore everything the university has to offer without fear of hazing. The strategy educates student organizations on safe, respectful community-building and ensures that if students do experience or witness an incident, they know how to report it.
“We want students to be healthy and safe while they ExperienceVT,” said Abbi Hanson Allen, director for Fraternity and Sorority Life. “Hokies Don’t Haze is about wellness and safety through the lens of hazing prevention.”
A community-centered approach to hazing prevention
After Adam’s Law passed in 2022, all institutions in Virginia were required to provide in-person hazing prevention training to all members of student organizations and publish an annual transparency report of hazing incidents.
Zack Pfeifer, associate director for Fraternity and Sorority Life, manages all health and safety campaigns for the Fraternity and Sorority Life community, including alignment with the Hokies Don’t Haze strategy and A Commitment to a Hazing Free Experience trainings. The trainings cover recognizing and reporting hazing, university policies related to alcohol, empowered decision-making, and building culture in safe, healthy ways.
Today, numerous campus partners help promote the program beyond requirements to foster safer student environments. This year, the strategy added 10 undergraduate hazing prevention advocates to help with education, outreach, and National Hazing Prevention Week programming.
“Our goal is to impart to students that they, and everyone, are deserving of respect and dignity,” said Morgen Snowadzky, associate director for student organizations and administration. “It’s also important for students to know that they are participants in providing that environment for others. It’s a mutual effort to make sure our campus is safe and healthy for everyone.”
James Bottiglieri, who recently became a hazing prevention advocate, is proud to be doing work that will improve current and future students’ experiences.
“The topics that we cover can genuinely save lives,” said Bottiglieri. “It makes me reflect on how thankful I am that I experienced a safe, healthy, and enjoyable process when becoming a new member of my fraternity, and I want that to be the case for everyone.”
Advocate Caleb Hines said he appreciates that Hokies Don’t Haze promotes a high common standard of respect for all students.
A student signs a Hokies Don't Haze pledge banner. Photo by Jaik Tom for Virginia Tech.
“The program reinforces the fact that everyone here comes from a different background, so what's considered fine for one person may be completely out-of-bounds for another,” said Hines.
Helping students address misconceptions
Hokies Don’t Haze addresses and corrects the many common misconceptions around hazing. Helping students understand hazing and how it can impact the student experience is crucial for proactive prevention.
Misconception: It’s a necessary college tradition.
People may underestimate the negative impacts of hazing due to its history and normalizing media depictions.
“No amount of hazing is OK,” said Pfeifer. “It is relationship violence. Just because it’s between friends or peers doesn’t make it less impactful. Students want to be included — challenging an individual to grow does not mean they need to be hazed.”
Snowadzky recalled a student saying of an experience with hazing, “I thought all of this was normal.”
“Often, people think they’re participating in hazing to build community,” said Snowadzky. “Membership in organizations contributes to belonging, but hazing undermines those positive benefits and is a true danger.”
Misconception: It builds community.
Organizations may intend to build community by having members earn their membership through degrading, humiliating, or dangerous acts, but two-thirds of students who experience hazing do not report a stronger sense of belonging as a result of their experience.
“Hazing is like a tornado,” said Pfeifer. “In some ways, a community may feel closer together after the event, but there is harm and suffering that occurs.”
Misconception: Hazing only happens in fraternities and sororities.
Nearly half of all high school students entering college have already experienced hazing, and another 55 percent of students will experience hazing during college. Hazing can impact students in any groups, from athletics and club sports to social organizations and recreational clubs.
“Hazing extends beyond any individual group or groups, and it is all of our responsibility to take a stand against it,” said Pfeifer.
What to do if you suspect an organization is hazing?
Anyone who has experienced or witnessed potential hazing in a Virginia Tech student organization is encouraged to use the university’s reporting form. Each report is anonymous unless the reporter chooses to include contact information. The more information included, the easier it is to investigate and identify potential hazing. All reports are investigated to ensure that organizations are operating within university and legal guidelines.
Pfeifer said hazing victims are mostly likely to report their experiences to friends or other organization members first. Students can support each other proactively by sharing information and resources and being alert for signs of hazing.
“If you have concerns, other people probably do too,” said Snowadzky.
Victims or witnesses of hazing can also call the national hotline, 1 -888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293), which anonymously conveys all reports to relevant fraternity or sorority headquarters or university offices.
National Hazing Prevention Week
National Hazing Prevention Week takes place during the last week of September every year. Hokies Don’t Haze events promote awareness and educate students on hazing prevention. Learn more about hazing prevention on Hokies Don’t Haze or check out GobblerConnect for upcoming training sessions and events.
Students table to promote Hokies Don't Haze. Photo courtesy of Chandler Crean.
