hazing – College of Education and Human Development

91�� hosting national hazing prevention summit for higher education professionals

ckelly — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:27:45 +0000

The annual Hazing Prevention Consortium (HPC) Summit returns to the 91�� campus, June 4-5 at Buchanan Alumni House.

The two-day event is organized by Professor of Higher Education Elizabeth Allan, a leading expert on hazing and hazing prevention, along with members of the research group that she leads.

Since 2013, StopHazing has facilitated the HPC, a multi-year research-to-practice initiative that helps campuses develop and implement data-informed hazing prevention strategies. More than 40 higher education institutions have participated in the program. The annual summit is an opportunity for representatives from current consortium members to learn together and network to strengthen their shared work and build more sustainable approaches to hazing prevention.

Allan, who also leads the Hazing Prevention Research Lab at 91��, is working on an update to the landmark National Study of College Student Hazing, which she originally published in 2008 with former 91�� colleague Mary Madden. In addition to working with colleges and universities, Allan has consulted with other organizations where hazing occurs, such as high schools and the U.S. Department of Defense.

This year’s summit will be attended by student affairs professionals from Arizona State University, Harvard College, Indiana University, Kenyon College, New Mexico State University, Princeton University, Rhodes College, Southern Methodist University, University of Mississippi, University of San Diego, Virginia Commonwealth University, Washington and Lee University, William & Mary and the University of Wisconsin.

Allan talks to Daily Camera about hazing trends, prevention

ckelly — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 20:44:33 +0000

The Boulder (Colorado) Daily Camera interviewed Professor of Higher Education Elizabeth Allan for an article titled, Bailey was a freshman at the University of Colorado when he died from alcohol poisoning as part of a fraternity hazing ritual in 2004. Allan noted that hazing continues to go largely unreported, making it difficult to determine whether it happens more or less often than it did during the early 2000s. “It’s really hard to tell,” Allan said. “Another thing is the more people learn about (hazing) and hopefully the more they learn about the harm that can happen, the more likely they will be to report it. We might see an increase in reporting. But, you can’t assume the increase in reporting means it’s happening more than it was.” The article notes that Allan is launching a new national hazing survey, updating the 2008 that she led with former 91�� colleague Mary Madden. She added that many students don’t know they’re being hazed or don’t recognize behavior as hazing. “One of the key factors is that individuals tend to identify hazing only in its most extreme forms,” Allan said. “Part of prevention is trying to expand the images people have in their heads of what constitutes hazing and that way we can have people increase the likelihood they will intervene as bystanders or for themselves if they’re in the position of being hazed.”

Media highlight Allan’s expertise in support of new anti-hazing law

ckelly — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 16:11:00 +0000

President Joe Biden signed the Stop Campus Hazing Act into law on Dec. 24. Several media reports about the signing mentioned 91�� Professor of Higher Education Elizabeth Allan, who consulted with members of Congress and their staff during the crafting of the bill. , (Spokane, WA) and the highlighted Allan’s efforts to advance hazing prevention education and laws. In addition, Allan spoke to the for an article titled “Are Colleges Ready for the New Anti-Hazing Law?” , the research group led by Allan, has also compiled information on the varying state laws regarding hazing.

Hazing prevention bill on which 91��’s Allan consulted passed by Congress, signed by President Biden

ckelly — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:49:04 +0000

Editor’s note: President Joe Biden signed the Stop Campus Hazing Act into law on Dec. 24.

The U.S. Senate last week passed the Stop Campus Hazing Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing hazing on college campuses nationwide. The legislation previously passed the House of Representatives, and has been sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.

The act requires colleges and universities to implement comprehensive hazing prevention programs and to publicly report incidents in their annual campus security reports, known as Clery Reports. It increases transparency for students and parents by requiring institutions to disclose their hazing prevention policies and any organizations found in violation of these policies.

91�� Professor of Higher Education Elizabeth Allan, founder of the research group StopHazing, served as a consultant to the members of Congress and their staff who crafted the Stop Campus Hazing Act.

“This research-backed hazing prevention legislation will shift societal norms and structures that contribute to hazing, provide the public with more reliable information about hazing incidents, and support colleges and universities in preventing hazing,” said Allan. “It will also empower students to make informed decisions about their involvement in campus organizations. Clery statistics and transparency reports will help students and families make more informed decisions.”

The passing of the Stop Campus Hazing Act by Congress follows the publication of a recent study from Allan and StopHazing postdoctoral fellow for research and evaluation David Kerschner, a 2021 graduate of 91��’s Ph.D. program in higher education, which confirms the effectiveness of unique tool for mitigating hazing.

According to that study, college students who viewed a short documentary as part of a hazing prevention training gained a better understanding of hazing behaviors and displayed an increased willingness and ability to intervene in situations where hazing occurs.

is a 17-minute video produced by the nonprofit Clery Center, featuring an interview with Allan, as well as information from the landmark 2008 that Allan led with former 91�� colleague Mary Madden. Several former 91�� students were interviewed for the video about their experiences with hazing and how to create positive group behaviors.

For the study, Allan and Kerschner held training sessions with more than 300 students at three U.S. universities. All of the participants were either members of a leadership development program, resident advisors or club sport athletes. At each campus, one group of students watched “We Don’t Haze,” another group watched the video and participated in a facilitated follow-up discussion, and a third group viewed a general leadership development video.

The students who only watched “We Don’t Haze” and those who viewed the video and engaged in the follow-up discussion significantly shifted their perceptions of hazing and indicated they were more likely to intervene and help others who are experiencing or have experienced hazing, compared to those in the third group.

“It’s pretty promising that we found the video by itself, as well as the video and discussion together, were effective at increasing awareness of hazing and the likelihood of bystanders intervening,” Kerschner said. “The video and the StopHazing discussion guide that we used in the trainings are available for free from the Clery Center and on StopHazing’s website. So these resources have the potential to reach a range of institutions where they’re at, while having a real impact with different groups of students.”

The study adds to a growing body of research that shows the effectiveness of bystander intervention and public health approaches to hazing prevention. Allan says while trainings like the one used in the study are a great, cost-effective strategy, they work best within a comprehensive approach.

“It’s just one piece. Schools also need data and transparency, so they can design evidence-based strategies, and so students know where, when and how often hazing occurs on their campuses,” Allan said. “Ultimately, all stakeholders need to be involved in a comprehensive approach because our research shows that hazing isn’t just limited to certain groups. It impacts a variety of clubs and organizations, so prevention is really about shifting the broader culture of the institution.”

The study was published in the .

Allan recently announced plans to do another national survey of college students’ experiences with and perceptions of hazing, updating the 2008 National Study of College Student Hazing.

Contact: Casey Kelly, casey.kelly@maine.edu

Allan interviewed about Lisbon High School hazing report by Portland Press Herald

ckelly — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 20:56:05 +0000

The interviewed Elizabeth Allan, 91�� professor of higher education leadership and founder of , on a publicly presented report regarding hazing allegations of the Lisbon High School football team. Allan said the reactions from some of the parents are unsurprising. “It’s a really tough and disappointing situation if your child has to deal with consequences if they weren’t directly involved,” she said. “But it’s a reality of being on a team. If a team wins a championship, not everyone plays or contributes, but the whole team still gets to celebrate.”

Allan talks hazing prevention, signs of healthy and unhealthy groups on podcast

ckelly — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 17:45:25 +0000

Professor of Higher Education Elizabeth Allan was a guest on a recent episode of the . Allan and Jenny Desmond discussed the “” workshop that they developed for StopHazing. The workshop is designed to help leaders and educators foster safer, more positive group environments. In addition, Allan and Desmond explained key concepts around the definition of hazing and how to recognize behaviors along the . They also explored how unhealthy group dynamics and hazing are interconnected and the broader impact on individuals and communities, as well as strategies to create and maintain positive group cultures while addressing unhealthy behaviors.

Allan’s hazing prevention expertise featured in Portland Press Herald

ckelly — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:02:20 +0000

91�� Professor of Higher Education Elizabeth Allan was interviewed for a article titled “Anti-hazing measures are in place at Maine high schools. Experts say more can be done.” Recently, Lisbon High School’s football season was put on hold in the wake of police and internal investigations into alleged hazing incidents. That follows a hazing incident involving the Brunswick football team three years ago, which made national headlines, and resulted in the firing of the head coach and cancellation of the season. “Schools are doing more than ever before to educate about it,” Allan said, “but we still have a long way to go… It’s easy to say ‘Oh, that’s not a problem here at our school.’ However, the research shows that it’s far more pervasive than people typically think.” Allan said schools could take several steps to more proactively confront hazing, including communicating their policy around hazing, such as what it constitutes and how it will be enforced; making sure coaches are trained and educated on what to look for; training people on how to intervene with a situation they see unfolding and letting kids know how they can feel safe while alerting supervisors; and stressing how school spirit can exist without hazing. She said while hazing’s physical dangers are publicized, the mental toll can be just as damaging. “There’s the emotional and psychological trauma that can happen with hazing, sometimes leaving lifelong scars,” Allan said. “(The) PTSD, anxiety, stress, depression that manifest sometimes years later because of the trauma experienced from hazing. And those are impacts on an individual. It’s important to remember that there are these ripple effects where the families are impacted, and friends as well as the group and the team. We’ve seen how seasons can be canceled, people can be fired.”

Times Record interviews Allan in wake of alleged hazing in Lisbon

ckelly — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:25:02 +0000

In an article in about alleged hazing on the Lisbon High School football team, Professor of Higher Education Elizabeth Allan says while there’s been progress in recent years, communities still have a long way to go to combat hazing. “Every case is different, and the behaviors are different, but many are harmful not just in physical ways,” Allan said. “Psychological and emotional harm occurs that can be felt for years or even decades if the people involved don’t have an opportunity to get support they need.” The article notes Allan’s work on hazing prevention and teaching skills that cultivate healthier bonding for teams and other groups. She said when an incident involves a community group — like an athletic team — it can create divisions within the broader community. “People rally around teams; they bring people together,” she said. “So, it’s a big loss when something like this happens. But at the same time, when people step back and understand what’s happening, I think they understand that there needs to be accountability.”

91�� launching new national hazing study

ckelly — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:11:26 +0000

Sixteen years after two 91�� professors published the landmark 2008 , the lead researcher of that report will spearhead an updated nationwide survey of college students’ experiences with and perceptions about hazing.

Professor of higher education Elizabeth Allan will lead the project, the first under the new Hazing Prevention Research Lab established within the 91�� College of Education and Human Development. The lab builds on Allan’s two decades of work to create safer, healthier and more inclusive environments in higher education and other organizations. The launch of the new study and lab coincides with , which begins Monday, Sept. 23, and runs through Friday, Sept. 27.

“There have been a handful of smaller studies since 2008 that looked at select groups of students or campuses, but nothing on the scale of the national study,” said Allan. “Updating that research will be critical to informing our prevention strategies to ensure they’re driven by the best possible data.”

Allan’s research focuses on building a knowledge base to better understand the scope of hazing — defined as any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers them, regardless of their willingness to participate — as well as how to prevent it. She is founder and principal of , home to the Hazing Prevention Consortium. This multi-year research-to-practice initiative has worked with more than three dozen colleges and universities nationwide to assess their campus climate and build capacity for planning, implementing and evaluating data-informed prevention strategies. Allan has also testified before Congress, consulted with the U.S. Department of Defense and been featured in numerous media outlets.

“We’ve made tremendous progress in understanding the nature of hazing, its root causes and the types of activities and behaviors it entails. We also know that comprehensive approaches are needed to end hazing among groups and institutions,” Allan said. “Expanding the Hazing Prevention Research Lab projects will allow us to grow this work and ultimately save lives and create a better world.”

Allan notes that since 1959, there has been each year in the United States.

The 2008 survey found that 55% of college students who participate in groups experience hazing, and that more than 95% of those students do not report it.

91�� has established a Hazing Prevention Research Fund that aims to grow the capacity of Allan’s hazing prevention lab. The fund is dedicated to the prevention of hazing incidents through research and research-based practices, and was created in memory of hazing victims, their families and friends. It will be administered by the .

Last year, the foundation facilitated a gift to support Allan’s research from Jolayne Houtz and Hector Martinez, whose son Sam Martinez died in a hazing incident at Washington State University in 2019. That gift has supported the development and launch of , the nation’s first free, comprehensive database of hazing incidents.

Contact: Casey Kelly, casey.kelly@maine.edu

Maine news outlets boost hazing prevention summit, research

ckelly — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 19:15:54 +0000

Attendees of this week’s Hazing Prevention Consortium (HPC) Summit at the 91�� learned about tools and strategies for ending hazing on college campuses, and creating more inclusive, welcoming communities. (CBS 5 in Bangor), (Fox 22/ABC 7 in Bangor) and boosted the summit held at Buchanan Alumni House June 4-5. The annual event was created and organized by , a group founded by 91�� professor of higher education Elizabeth Allan. It’s opportunity for representatives from institutions participating in the HPC initiative to network and share knowledge.

(ABC 8 in Portland) highlighted a related study from researchers, including Allan, that explores how the issues of hazing and white supremacy are related. Allan collaborated on the study with Kathleen Gillon, 91�� assistant professor of higher education; Cameron Beatty, associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies at Florida State University; Cristobal Salinas Jr., associate professor of educational leadership and research methodology at Florida Atlantic University; and David Kerschner, a 2021 graduate of 91��’s doctoral program in higher education and a postdoctoral fellow for research and evaluation at StopHazing.

hazing – College of Education and Human Development

91���� hosting national hazing prevention summit for higher education professionals

Allan talks to Daily Camera about hazing trends, prevention

Media highlight Allan’s expertise in support of new anti-hazing law

Hazing prevention bill on which 91����’s Allan consulted passed by Congress, signed by President Biden

Allan interviewed about Lisbon High School hazing report by Portland Press Herald

Allan talks hazing prevention, signs of healthy and unhealthy groups on podcast

Allan’s hazing prevention expertise featured in Portland Press Herald

Times Record interviews Allan in wake of alleged hazing in Lisbon

91���� launching new national hazing study

Maine news outlets boost hazing prevention summit, research

91�� hosting national hazing prevention summit for higher education professionals

Hazing prevention bill on which 91��’s Allan consulted passed by Congress, signed by President Biden

91�� launching new national hazing study