In 1989, I stepped onto my new college campus—a small liberal arts school in a rural community that still felt enormous to me. Joining a Greek organization was part of my plan to find “my people” and a sense of belonging.
Before I was an official member, I had to go through rush and then initiation. During that process, I learned about hazing, and I remember thinking: “Hazing isn’t a ‘thing’ anymore, is it?” I also learned that hazing can be far more subtle than the extreme versions I had seen in movies.
One of the things I loved most about my sorority was the sense of tradition—rituals that connected me to the women who came before me and those who would come after.
But tradition is a double-edged sword. When something harmful is done in the name of tradition, it becomes harder to question. The mindset of “this happened to me, so it should happen to you” perpetuates itself.
Hazing is learned. It’s passed down from generation to generation, normalized within organizations that are otherwise built on values of belonging.
That’s why information matters. When students and families have access to the facts—when they can see where hazing has happened and how it’s been handled—they are better equipped to ask questions, challenge harmful traditions, and make informed decisions.
I was lucky. I was educated about hazing, and I don’t recall experiencing any. I had four wonderful years in my sorority and built lifelong friendships.
But I know now that isn’t everyone’s experience.
Today, I’m the parent of an 18-year-old preparing to head to college next fall. I encourage her to explore Greek life for many of the same reasons I loved it—belonging, community, support. She’ll likely be at a much larger school, farther from home. It’s a lot of change, and I want her to have that same support system.
But will she recognize hazing if she encounters it? Will she know what her options are? Will she have access to real information about the organizations she’s joining?
I believe she’ll make good decisions—bolstered by the information she needs.
Hazing thrives in secrecy. It continues when students don’t know what to expect, when families don’t know what questions to ask, and when schools choose to protect reputations instead of students.
Too many colleges make it difficult—sometimes impossible—to find out if hazing has happened on their campus. Some don’t provide hazing prevention training. Others don’t even offer students a clear way to report hazing.
Yet, research from StopHazing.org shows that nearly 75% of students in Greek life and varsity athletics experience hazing.
Students and families deserve better. They deserve clear, accessible information about hazing on their campuses, before they join any group, team, or organization.
That’s why I believe HazingInfo.org should be an essential part of every family’s college preparation checklist.
It’s not about avoiding Greek life, athletics, or other student organizations—it’s about making informed choices. It’s about knowing which schools and organizations take hazing seriously and which ones don’t.
Because no student should have to choose between belonging and their personal safety.
If you’re a student, parent, alumni, or administrator, take the time to learn about hazing. Start conversations. Ask questions. Because the more we know, the more we can break the cycle.