FSC's anti-hazing initiatives breaks down stereotypes

FARMINGDALE, N.Y NOVEMBER 18 2025 - Farmingdale State College is home to seven Greek life organizations, with a notable presence on a predominantly commuter campus. For members of the organizations, Greek life offers connections, networking, and student involvement outside of attending classes. However, it also raises concerns surrounding student safety and hazing practices within these organizations that have historically impacted fraternities and sororities on a national scale.  

More recently, a Rutgers University student was critically injured due to hazing performed by the university's chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi. The fraternities chapter has been permanently suspended leaving a student hospitalized and an entire organization removed from the Rutgers campus. The issue of hazing persists, even in fraternities where there is a zero tolerance hazing policy.

According to the Hazing Prevention Network, approximately 55% of all members in Greek life organizations experience some form of hazing from their chapter. Hazing has a documented history of injuries, deaths, and horrifying stories. Despite this, Farmingdale State College is committed to ensuring that the new members of these organizations are being protected through their programs, policies, and initiatives on how and where to report hazing. To further understand these measures, I met with the sorority Phi Sigma Sigma and their Sisterhood Development Chair (new member educator) during their new member education meeting.

Skyler Girard is in her second semester as Phi Sigma Sigma’s sisterhood development chairperson. When asked about the measures FSC takes in ensuring the safety of its members, Girard responded by saying that her, the Archon (president), and all of the new members have to complete a series of modules called “PreventZone”. “They go over what hazing is, how to prevent it, and things that could be seen as hazing and how to report that on campus” says Girard. She also discusses a group assembly the chapter attended earlier this semester, “we had a speaker come in where 60% of our chapter was required to be there as well as 100% of the new members”. 

Additionally, I spoke with two new members of the sorority, Alexis and Angelina. When asked about their new member experience, Alexis responded by saying that the active sisters have made her feel “very welcomed” and Angelina stated that “they’ve all been very nice” to her.

As Greek life continues to grow and shape the student body's involvement at Farmingdale State College, the conversation surrounding hazing is necessary. FSC offers prevention programs and reporting routes that showcase the school's effort to protect its students from hazing practices. Speaking with chapter leaders and new members offers an opportunity to look at how these policies are experienced on an internal organizational level. Overall, education on the policies, safe guards, and challenges allows for a clear image of how Greek life operates within a smaller campus community like Farmingdale State College.