by Anthony Pope

National Hazing Prevention Week kicked off on Monday with members of VSU’s Greek Life informing students about the dangers of hazing and ways to prevent it.

Sponsored by the Greek Ambassadors organization, tables were set up throughout campus to inform students about hazing and how VSU’s Greek organizations have taken a stance to put an end to it.

Alyssa Riggs, Chi Omega member, states that bringing awareness to the issue is the best way to prevent hazing.

“Hazing Prevention Week is a great way to stop hazing in Greek organizations,” Riggs said. “I’ve been a member of Chi Omega for two years and have never been a hazer or even thought about doing it.”

Hazing is defined as the imposition of strenuous, often humiliating, tasks as part of a program of rigorous physical training and initiation.

Throughout the years, hazing has become associated with the initiation into a Greek organization. Often the rituals and tasks put onto pledges are demeaning, humiliating and dangerous.

This has lead to some students being turned away from Greek organizations for fear that they could not handle the hazing rituals that go along with the initiation process.

Clandra Newson, senior, states that hazing horror stories have deterred her from joining a Greek organization.

“I have friends who’ve gone through the pledging process at other schools, and some of the things they’ve told me make me never want to pledge,” Newson said. “I just believe there are other ways to prove what that you have what it takes to join a sorority or fraternity.”

The prevention of hazing takes a collaborative effort across all organizations. Jeron Draine, president of the VSU chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha thinks that hazing should never be tolerated.

“Nobody should be forced to do anything they don’t want to do,” Draine said. “No one should have to endure something of that nature to prove their willingness to join a group.

For more information on hazing prevention you can visit www.hazingprevention.org.