Preventing Hazing by Creating a Loving, Honorable, and Truthful Environment
By Stewart McCullough (Mississippi)
As Commander of the Epsilon Xi Chapter at the University of Mississippi from 2022-23, I frequently heard from leaders in my local IFC community that eliminating hazing from the fraternity experience can seem like an overwhelming and even unattainable goal, mainly because many of us struggle with knowing where to start. But the starting point is more in our purview than it may seem. In my view, we can and will achieve this goal by first creating an environment and culture around hazing prevention rooted in our core principles: Love, Honor, and Truth.
Love: Fostering Compassion and Community
Love is at the heart of every meaningful relationship, whether personal or organizational. In the context of hazing prevention, love means embracing compassion, kindness, and empathy. Hazing often stems from a desire to test or "toughen" new members, but this mindset is incompatible with the principle of love.
Prevention efforts emphasizing Love focus on building connections based on mutual respect rather than intimidation or humiliation. By fostering environments where members feel accepted and supported, we not only prevent hazing but also create stronger bonds built on trust and understanding. Often, fraternity men incorrectly associate hazing with the spirit of unity and belonging. Instead, let Love lead the way in creating an unbreakable bond, ensuring that each candidate and future brother is embraced for who they are, not what they are subjected to.
Honor: Valuing Integrity and Respect
Honor is another key principle that must be at the core of our efforts to prevent hazing. To act with Honor means to uphold one's integrity, behave ethically, and show respect for oneself and others. Hazing, with its often humiliating or degrading practices, is inherently dishonorable.
An Honor-driven approach to hazing prevention emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and accountability. Brothers must be encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and to speak out against hazing, regardless of tradition or peer pressure. Although this is easier said than done, promoting a culture where each member is honored and respected can eliminate the harmful dynamics that perpetuate hazing practices. Every member must be valued for Sigma Nu to be an honorable brotherhood, and no one should be subjected to mistreatment in the name of inclusion.
Truth: Promoting Transparency and Accountability
Finally, Truth is essential in preventing hazing. Transparency and openness are crucial to addressing the issue head-on. Hazing often thrives in secrecy, which allows the harmful cycle of hazing to continue, empowering a culture rich with tragic consequences.
Instead, we must foster an environment that promotes transparency. Promoting transparency means being honest about the harmful effects of hazing and having open conversations about the realities and risks involved. A culture of openness—where members feel comfortable coming forward without fear of retribution—is fundamental to upholding our principle of Truth.