Unsettling tradition: exploring intersections of campus hazing and white supremacy

Abstract

Hazing—a form of interpersonal and community violence often minimized and normalized as tradition—can negatively impact students, undercut university missions, and contribute to harmful campus environments. While student hazing is a problem, postsecondary leaders are also grappling with legacies of whiteness and white supremacy that have shaped campus culture, including taken-for-granted norms and traditions. Using Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS) as a framework (Cabrera et al., 2017), this qualitative study explored how perceptions of campus hazing may reflect and contribute to perpetuating white supremacy in a sample of U.S. universities. Across 12 institutions, 7 public and 5 private, 345 individuals—169 staff members, 167 students, and nine alumni—were interviewed, primarily in focus groups, sharing perceptions of campus culture and hazing climate. Tradition, with themes of alumni involvement and influence, pride, and space, is discussed, illuminating how whiteness and white supremacy is reinscribed via campus hazing.

Keywords:

• Hazing
• whiteness
• postsecondary education
• tradition

Disclosure Statement

Drs. Allan and Kerschner have completed professional work in hazing education and prevention.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth J. Allan

Elizabeth J. Allan, PhD, is a Professor of Higher Education at the University of Maine. Her research and teaching focus on student well-being, campus climate, and hazing prevention. Dr. Allan directs the work of StopHazing, a research-to-practice organization.

Kathleen E. Gillon

Kathleen E. Gillon, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the University of Maine. Her research and teaching focus on identifying and disrupting inequities on college campuses.

Cameron C. Beatty

Cameron C. Beatty, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Higher Education and Undergraduate Leadership Studies at Florida State University. Dr. Beatty is the Associate Director of the Leadership Learning Research Center, and his research focus includes socially just leadership education, racial battle fatigue, and undergraduate leadership learning.

Cristobal Salinas

Cristobal Salinas Jr., PhD, is an Associate Professor of Higher Education Leadership at Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Salinas is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education.

David J. Kerschner

David J. Kerschner, (he/him/his) is a Post-Doctoral Fellow for Research and Evaluation for StopHazing, a research-to-practice organization. His research interests include hazing, hazing prevention, and NCAA Division III athletics.