Auburn University will observe National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW) from September 22–26. NHPW is a national initiative of the Hazing Prevention Network that empowers campuses, organizations, and individuals to raise awareness, provide education, and implement proactive strategies to prevent hazing. Each year, institutions across the country join this effort to challenge harmful practices, foster dignity and respect, and promote a culture of care and accountability. This campaign underscores Auburn’s ongoing commitment to cultivating a safe and supportive environment where the well-being of every student is prioritized. 

Newly rebranded, Protect the Plains is Auburn's signature hazing prevention campaign. The initiative reminds us that every member of the Auburn Family should “Protect the Plains” by looking out for one another.  

Student Programming 

Auburn University provides comprehensive campus-wide education programs to prevent hazing based on research-informed practices. First-year and transfer students are assigned an online hazing prevention module called “StandUp to Hazing!” through Catharsis Productions. This module focuses on ensuring new students understand what hazing is, recognize its harms and behaviors, promote healthy group dynamics, and build skills to prevent and respond to hazing.  

In addition, the Greek Life Office requires all its chapter presidents, new member educators, and council executive team members to complete an additional Hazing Prevention training module as part of their officer requirements. This module serves as a supplement to the New Member Educator Training hosted by Greek Life. It covers Auburn-specific hazing information, key terminology, reporting procedures, the university’s medical assistance policy, and potential sanctions if a chapter is found responsible for hazing. 

“At Auburn, we believe that hazing prevention is not just a policy, it’s a community commitment,” shares Director of Greek Life Lindsay Holdren. “Through intentional education, proactive training, and student-led initiatives, we are empowering our Greek leaders and students to foster a culture of respect, accountability, and care.” 

In honor of NHPW, the Greek Programming Board has designed a week of programs with Greek Life that are intended to educate, engage, and inspire action. The schedule blends interactive events, educational opportunities, and reflective moments with actionable resources to promote critical thinking about hazing and to reinforce the university’s commitment to a safe, supportive campus culture. 

Engaging Faculty and Staff 

Auburn University is proud to introduce its new hazing prevention training, a program designed to strengthen the campus community by equipping faculty and staff with the tools to recognize, prevent, address, and report hazing. The course debuted this fall on ElevatED, Auburn’s Employee Education Center. This 20-minute self-paced course aims to heighten awareness of the dangers of hazing, equip faculty and staff with tactics to safely intervene, and encourage reporting of potential hazing.  

The training reinforces Auburn’s dedication to fostering a culture of care, weaving in the “Five Ds of Bystander Intervention” - direct, delegate, distract, document, and delay – so every member of the Auburn Family knows they have a role to play in keeping campus safe. Auburn Human Resources (HR) will highlight the training broadly across campus through outreach, with the goal of increasing employee enrollment and completion of the course.  

“Auburn is committed to the human touch and ensuring that everybody feels valued, welcome, respected, and engaged,” says Director of Human Resources Development, Chris Richie. “Preventing hazing isn’t just a compliance requirement- it's the right thing to do, rooted in our values of integrity, respect, and excellence.”  

By embedding this training across campus, Auburn reaffirms its leadership in creating an environment where respect and responsibility are shared by all. Faculty and staff that are interested in completing the course may find it in ElevatED, “CR520E Stop Campus Hazing”.  

Stop Campus Hazing Act 

Auburn’s increase in educational programs and events is in response to the passing of the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA). This federal legislation was signed into law in December 2024. The SCHA aims to improve hazing reporting and prevention on college campuses by accomplishing the following: 

• Improves hazing reporting by requiring colleges to include hazing incidents in their Annual Security Report (“Clery Report”); 

• Prevents hazing by establishing campus-wide, research-based hazing education and prevention programs; and 

• Helps students and their parents make informed decisions about joining organizations on campus by requiring colleges to publish on their websites the institution’s hazing prevention policies and the organizations that have violated them. 

In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, all student organizations that have violations will be reported on the Campus Hazing Transparency Report by December 19, 2025.  It will serve as a database that documents hazing violations involving all university student organizations over the past seven years. 

How to Report Hazing  

Members of the Auburn Family should always come forward with information regarding hazing incidents that may have occurred.  

In an emergency or any situation where there is immediate danger, call 911. 

If a non-emergency incident arises, please contact: 

• Call the Auburn University Hazing Hotline at 1-800-361-9025. 

• Text an anonymous hazing report to 334-339-6200. 

• Submit an anonymous report online at aub.ie/Reportit. 

• Visit the Student Conduct Office. 

You may submit the report anonymously if you wish; however, please note that doing so may limit the University’s ability to conduct a thorough investigation, especially if follow-up information is needed. 

Knowingly making a false accusation of hazing is strictly prohibited. Any member of the campus community found to have submitted a false report may face disciplinary action, including termination of employment or suspension/expulsion. 

Dr. Lady Cox, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, shares, “At Auburn, our commitment to student safety is unwavering. Through our Protect the Plains campaign and commitment to the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Auburn is empowering students, faculty, and staff to build a campus culture rooted in safety, accountability, and belonging.” 

National Hazing Prevention Week affirms Auburn University’s deep commitment to student well-being, rooted in the Auburn Creed and driven by shared responsibility, courageous spirit, and a culture of care.