Alternatives to Hazing

Think there's no other way than to haze? Think again. There are many creative ways to change from a hazing organization to a non-hazing organization. Below are examples of ways to eliminate hazing and make membership a challenging, yet positive experience.  

Have you created a safe, positive alternative to hazing within your student group, club, or team? Let us know and we will post your idea or story! 

• Participate in a community service project
• Plan a fundraiser on campus or for local charitable organizations.
• Have an organizational retreat at the Ohio Union
• Visit a ropes course to work on group cohesiveness, communication and leadership skills
• In fraternities and sororities with chapter facilities, the group might work together on a chapter room improvement project.  
• Have members work together to plan a social or athletic event with another student organization   
• Have new members discuss chapter weaknesses and plan solutions that the chapter might then adopt.
• Encourage participation in school/campus activities outside of the organization.
• Encourage new members to get involved in organizational committees and/or leadership roles. 
• Develop a peer mentor program within your group for leadership roles. 
• Invite school/community/business leaders into the organization to share their experiences.  
• Attend a movie, festival, state fair, sporting event, or concert as an organization
• Plan a "membership circle" where new and current members participate in a candlelight service in which each person has a chance to express what membership means to them.
• Take advantage of the university’s academic and tutoring services.  
• Invite university or community experts to discuss test-taking skills, study methods, time management etc.
• Invite an older member or alumnus to talk about the organization’s early days, its founding, special traditions, and prominent former members.
• For fraternities and sororities, invite leaders of the councils to speak on Greek governance including their goals and expectations of the Greek system.
• Use university resources for seminars on resume writing, job interview skills; various careers.
• Get involved with campus and community service projects.
• Plan a spa night with manicures, pedicures, movies, and facials.
• Have a trivia night, including university and organizational history.
• Organize a 5k run/walk with the proceeds going to the charity of your choice.
• Plan a visit to the local dog shelter and walk the dogs.
• Visit the Columbus Boys and Girls Club to lend a hand to a child who needs a big brother or sister.
• Attend an Ohio State sporting event.
• Create an anti-hazing workshop and present the content to other organizations.
• Attend BuckeyeThon’s 24 hour dance marathon to raise money for Children’s Hospital.
• Plan a potluck dinner with new and active members.