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MSU Panhellenic Council raises awareness during hazing prevention week

September 22, 2022
People drinking outside of a frat house on March 13, 2021.
People drinking outside of a frat house on March 13, 2021. —
Photo by Rahmya Trewern | The State News

With over 60 chapters and more than 4,800 students to oversee, trouble is inevitable within Greek life at Michigan State. That’s why MSU’s Panhellenic Council, the governing body of all Panhellenic sororities on campus, works to maintain positive and healthy communities.

Hazing can range from embarrassing public acts to life-endangering performances. MSU has enacted a strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to the act of hazing with Michigan’s Garret’s Law, which criminalizes the act of hazing across any institution.

HazingPrevention.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing the act of hazing. It educates, advocates and engages with communities nationwide to help prevent harassment, injury, embarrassment and distress from hazing rituals.

National Hazing Prevention Week kicked off on Sept. 19 and ends officially on Sept. 23, but people are encouraged year-round to help stop the spread of hazing acts and rituals.

So what does hazing prevention look like?

The Hazing Prevention Organization has resources for students, parents and professionals can do to prevent this harassment. Individuals are encouraged to assess the situation at hand, speak out against hazing and report the event in the event of witnessing an act of hazing. There are resources available through the Hazing Prevention Organization’s website and MSU's anonymous reporting misconduct hotline

All members of fraternities and sororities under the Panhellenic Council are required to maintain safe and positive communities with each other and are encouraged to take the pledge against hazing. MSU's Greek Life Health and Safety Resources has a list of resources that include health promotion, addiction support mental health support and anonymous reporting.

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