The National Hazing Symposium is designed to offer a day-long examination of research, theories and practical implications for addressing the problem of hazing. This year's program will be a bit different from the past. While anyone is welcome to attend the program and participate, particular focus will be placed on bringing together experts for in-depth discussions surrounding the issue of hazing.

Together, we’ll explore reciprocity between research and practitioner experience as we consider how to identify best practices for hazing prevention.  We will discuss issues related to campus cultures and hazing, prevention theories, research on hazing, effective program evaluation, coalition development, and more!

Program Focus
Will be on three main questions for participants to answer:

1.  What do we know (so far)?
2.  What do we need to know in order to identify “best practices” for hazing prevention?
3.  How can we better collaborate to achieve our goals for hazing prevention?

Why?
In order to prevent hazing, we need to have a better understanding of what kinds of strategies are most effective and under what conditions. Promising prevention strategies are grounded in research. Thus, the design of promising strategies should emerge from a solid research foundation and then be evaluated to determine effectiveness. It is this process that will ultimately yield best practices.  

What do we know?
While the body of research on hazing is modest in comparison to other campus/school climate issues, a good deal has been accomplished in recent years. Nevertheless, hazing is a complex social problem and understanding and preventing it will no doubt require the application of multiple lenses and approaches. For instance, perspectives from public health and psychology can provide us with helpful insights about attitudes and behavior change, sociology can provide insights about groups and the social context, anthropology can help us better understand cultural influences and the role of rituals and rites of passage.

Who are the experts?
Expertise can be conceptualized in a number of different ways, so it is important to articulate what we mean when we use the term “expert” as it relates to hazing. In general, we see the following types of expertise that have emerged related to hazing (although there is certainly overlap among these, we think it is helpful to point out some of the distinctions): 

Researcher/scholar expertise – these individuals bring research credentials (e.g., doctoral degrees or substantive research experience) and apply it to the problem of hazing.  Their advanced graduate degrees have also provided them (typically) with in-depth familiarity with a range of theories and an understanding of how to apply theory, develop theory, design, and evaluate empirical research.  Some researchers also have extensive experience as practitioners working with students on college campuses and in schools on hazing or other campus/school climate issues. 

Practitioner expertise – Certainly, not all practitioners have become experts on hazing.  However, some have developed expertise based on years of experience working with students and colleagues to respond to and prevent hazing incidents on campuses, in schools, and/or across a particular type of organization (e.g., the NCAA, staff and executives of fraternity and sorority national offices).  As well, they are familiar with the research and have made concerted efforts to develop programs and strategies that are data-driven and evaluated.  

Personal experience expertise - (e.g., speakers, book authors and/or family members of hazing victims) Because of their unique experience with the topic as a hazing victim or family member or someone who has spoken or written on on the topic, those with personal experience expertise also have valuable insights to contribute to this discussion.

A gathering of experts, both scholars and practitioners, could provide a forum for identifying “what we know” (from the research) and prioritizing “what we need to know” (what research gaps remain) in order to establish promising and best practices for hazing prevention.  Moreover, a think tank would also provide the opportunity to develop more researcher-practitioner collaborations to continue expanding the knowledge base related to hazing.  

Program Format:                      Download the complete Symposium Schedule

PART ONE – What do we know?
Selected researcher/scholars (small groups 8-12 max) are assembled around a table on a stage (with voice amplification) with others sitting in audience just listening. They will answer focused questions about what we know about hazing - who hazes and why - from the research. The same process will be repeated for practitioners using different questions such as "are there promising strategies for prevention, emerging?"

PART TWO – What do we need to know?
Same format as above, but with more interaction from all participants.

PART THREE – How can we best collaborate?
Once we have identified what we need to know – then we can establish work groups of individuals who have particular expertise and/or interest in that area and would like to be part of a conversation to establish some goals and objectives.

The program will begin in the early evening (5:30 p.m.) on the 1st & end in the late afternoon (3 p.m.) on the 2nd. 

NOTE: This program will be very different from previous symposiums. We will NOT be offering an educational component, program ideas, written materials or other resources. Rather, this program will be a facilitated discussion designed to set a national agenda for hazing prevention. We would love for anyone who is interested in this topic to join us for the discussion, but want to make clear that the format will be new this year.                                                       

Thank you to our sponsors! 

• To bring together a group of determined individuals to share information about the latest efforts to combat hazing in different institutions and across all levels of education.
• To engage in discussions about the best practices and strategies to combat the problem of hazing.
• To share resources and ideas and the latest research efforts and information about hazing.
• To make connections with others who are dedicated to eliminating hazing, and to continue conversations and efforts following this meeting.

  Judge Mitch Crane and Hank Nuwer at NHS 2004 at Purdue.

                                                                                                 Black Haze author, Ricky Jones at NHS 2005 in Atlanta.

Some of the presenters and participants at the first National Hazing Symposium in 2004.                Dave Westol shares his expertise at NHS 2005 in Atlanta.