Eastern Michigan University’s fraternities and sororities — and a number of other campus organizations — are gearing up for three days of special events to recognize National Hazing Prevention Week, which starts Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.
One of the key features of the events is that all students can make pledges against hazing. All EMU students also can participate in a number of hazing prevention-focused activities.
"We want to do all that we can to make sure people are aware of what hazing is, the dangers it imposes, and how to put a stop to it,” Greek life coordinator Alyssa Mohr said. “Without that understanding, they could be victims of hazing without even knowing it.”
Mohr serves as the coordinator for Campus Life's Fraternity and Sorority Life community, which includes four councils made up of about 200 students. She said EMU athletics, ROTC, the marching band, and theater forensics have all been invited to lead events for National Hazing Prevention Week.
The EMU Student code of Conduct defines hazing as “any action or activity committed by either active members, associate members or pledges of an organization for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization which inflicts or intends to cause physical or severe emotional distress and/or may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person.”
This definition was partially drawn from the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, which was signed into law by then-President Joe Biden on Dec. 23, 2024.
Among the events planned on campus are:
National Hazing Week Kick-Off - Monday, Sept. 22, 2025
From noon to 2 p.m., the National Hazing Week Kick-Off event will be hosted in the Student Center Lobby. Students will have the opportunity to sign the hazing prevention pledge from the official Hazing Prevention Network website.
From 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Bystander Intervention Training will be held at the Student Center in room 310AB. Participants will be educated on how to recognize the signs of hazing and how to take action through reporting.
"Hazing" Screening - Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025
From noon to 2 p.m. students can add their painted hand print to a banner as a pledge. Located in the Student Center Lobby. During the week, students are encouraged to wear purple and pledge that "These Hands Don't Haze."
From 7 to 9 p.m. students can attend a screening of “Hazing,” a documentary film by Byron Hurt that explores the culture of hazing in regard to tradition for many organizations, such as fraternities and sororities, sports teams, and the military.
Hazing Prevention Jeopardy - Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025
From 6 to 7 p.m. students can participant in the Hazing Prevention Jeopardy gamed in the Student Center, room 310A.
Mohr said she would love to see the week become a campus-wide event, beyond Fraternity and Sorority Life students.
"This is a care for EMU beyond, let's make this place amazing, but also let's make this place safe," Mohr said.
According to the Hazing Prevention Network website, the nonprofit group started National Hazing Prevention Week to shift the focus of hazing discussions from punishment to prevention through education and resources.
For more information about Eastern Michigan University's Hazing Week, visit National Hazing Prevention Week Kick Off.
To report hazing at Eastern Michigan University, go to the Hazing Concern Reporting Form.
These events are not LBC-credit approved.
Correction: this article was updated on Sept. 22, 2025, to accurately reflect the days and dates of the events.
