Saint Elizabeth’s Advisors, Coaches, and Student-Serving Staff

 As faculty and staff working directly with student organizations, teams, and groups, you play a vital role in preventing hazing and promoting positive team-building environments. This guide provides resources to help you mentor student leaders, recognize warning signs of hazing, and encourage healthy group dynamics. 

Understanding Your Role in Hazing Prevention

 Your position as an advisor, coach, or staff member gives you unique opportunities to:

• Guide students toward positive team-building activities that align with our mission and institutional values.
• Intervene early when you notice concerning patterns or behaviors
• Model appropriate leadership and mentorship
• Help transform problematic traditions into healthy bonding experiences

Promote Positive Team Building

 When working with student groups, help them understand that their common goals can be achieved through constructive activities.  These goals often include:

• Building a strong sense of belonging and healthy relationships
• Understanding organizational operations and structure
• Developing trust among members
• Supporting personal and professional growth
• Creating a shared sense of purpose

Recognizing Potential Hazing Activities

Help students evaluate their planned activities by considering these critical questions:

1. Does the activity align with the organization’s stated mission and values?
2. Is the activity proportional to its intended purpose?
3. Could the activity pose physical or emotional risks to participants?
4. Would the activity raise concerns if shared on social media or with university officials?
5. Does the activity involve substance use expectations or penalties?
6. Could the activity cause significant stress or trauma?
7. Would the activity be appropriate in a professional workplace context?
8. Do you feel like the things required of others to join or maintain membership conflict with your morals and values?
9. Is the activity rigged in a way that makes it impossible for participants to succeed?

Intervention Strategies

When you become aware of potential hazing:

1. Address the situation promptly and directly
2. Help students understand why certain activities are problematic
3. Work with them to develop alternative team-building activities
4. Document your concerns and interventions
5. Connect students with appropriate university resources
6. Follow up to ensure new practices are being implemented

Supporting Students Who Have Experienced Hazing

 Be aware that students in your organization may have:

• Experienced hazing directly
• Witnessed others being hazed
• Participated in the hazing of others
• Feel conflicted about speaking up

Create opportunities for open dialogue and make it clear that you are available to discuss concerns in a confidential manner.

Campus Resources and Support

Collaborate with these offices for additional support and guidance.

• Dean of Student Affairs
• Athletic Director
• Director of Student Engagement
• Confidential Employees (University Chaplin, Campus Minister, & Mental Health Clinician
• Sexual Assault Hotline

Contact information for the parties, as mentioned above, can be found in the Hazing Policy.

Reporting Procedures

Know that you can:

• Submit confidential or anonymous reports at hazing.steu.edu/reporting
• Consult the Dean of Student Affairs or the Chief Judicial Officer
• Security
• Confidential Employees

Contact information for parties, as mentioned above, can be found in the Hazing Policy.