Dear Parents:

Whether your student is new to campus or has been here a while, we want to provide you with information about hazing and some of the signs it may be happening. To begin, we encourage you to learn more about the organizations in which your student is involved; visit our online listing of student groups on PhoenixCONNECT.

During their time here, students tend to explore a number of different groups and activities. We want them to find meaningful involvement, engage deeply with one or two groups, and develop academic and co-curricular passions.  Elon is committed to this process being a safe experience for all of our students. Hazing activities are antithetical to that commitment and the values of our University.

As parents, you can help us ensure that those activities are beneficial to their success and well-being. We ask that you reinforce the expectation that they say “no” if asked to engage in any troubling behavior. Please be attuned to any signs of exhaustion, lack of attention to academics, or an increased lack of communication with you. If you believe that your student is being mistreated, please visit www.elon.edu/reporthazing to complete a confidential online report.  This online reporting option walks you through all of the information that is helpful for us and allows you to add photos or other supporting documentation.  You may also call Student Involvement, Student Conduct, or the Hazing Hotline.  Although it is not required, leaving contact information so we can follow up with additional questions is often critical and increases our ability to respond in an effective way.

Being a member of Elon University’s community is an opportunity to build life-long friendships. Together we can collaborate and be partners in your student’s educational and social life. Please let us know what we can do to assist you with this process.

Remember, your student is a young adult and will benefit from your guidance and support as they develop their independence.  As you talk with them about their experiences, if you are concerned about some things you are hearing, consider these discussion questions or statements below.  They may help your student think through their situation and decide if they need to do anything differently.

  • Let your student know you care about them.
  • Ask, “Are you okay?”
  • Address your concern. “I’m worried about you. It’s unusual for you not to reply to my texts.”
  • Are you in the process of joining any club/group/organization/team on campus? If so, what group?
  • What types of activities do you do with them?
  • Are you being forced to do anything that makes you uncomfortable or concerned for anyone’s safety?
  • Are you being prevented from eating or sleeping or doing your normal routine?
  • Is there alcohol involved with any activities?
  • If you want to learn more, www.elon.edu/hazing has additional information that can help.
  • If you want to report something that you feel is inappropriate or risky, the Hazing Prevention website www.elon.edu/hazing includes a link to do that or you can directly visit www.elon.edu/reporthazing.  Anonymous reports are allowed, but sharing your name or contact information makes it much easier for the University to respond to the group’s actions.

Below are links to:

* Adapted from Florida Sate University’s Hazing Website