Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of all students/student organizations to encourage an atmosphere of learning, social responsibility, and respect for human dignity and to provide positive influences and constructive development for members and aspiring members. Students/organizations are expected to use good judgment to determine the abilities of individual students as they relate to organization activities and requirements.
If a healthy team or organization is being created and the values and purpose of the organization are being upheld, chances are the organization will not have to worry about whether or not an activity is hazing. Hazing leads to dysfunction within the organization and is ineffective at creating teamwork, respect, and unity, and it is an unproductive and hazardous custom that is forbidden by the University.
Helpful Information about Hazing
If you have questions about what could be hazing or would like to discuss tradition/practices or need assistance in improving the effectiveness of your organization’s new member orientation process, please contact the Campus Life Team at hazingprevention@northwestern.edu.
The University is committed to removing hazing, and to that end it encourages students/student organizations to review their traditions/practices with a staff member without fear of retribution or adjudication.
Questions one can ask to determine if an activity/process might be unhealthy or even hazing:
- Would I do this in public? In front of my parents? The university president? For local news or the school paper?
- Is this required of all members or just new ones? Are expectations of current members less than those of new members?
- What happens if it is not completed by a new member or a current member? Are the consequences more severe for the new member?
- What is the purpose of this activity? Is it in line with the purpose of the group? Is it the most effective way to achieve this outcome?
- Does this separate the new members from the rest of the group or make them feel less important?
- Could this be potentially harmful?
- Would I ask a member of my family, such as a younger brother or sister to be a part of this?
- Does this process truly prepare the new member for what they need to know to be a part of the organization?