The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will spotlight community and safety during Hazing Prevention Week, taking place Sept. 22-25.
The event-filled week, also known as “Mocs Don’t Haze,” is dedicated to sparking conversations about hazing, what it looks like and how to stop it before it starts.
Co-chaired by Office of Multicultural Affairs Interim Director Chris Stokes and Center for Wellbeing Director Megan McKnight, the week aims to build a campus culture where hazing is not tolerated.
“We’re trying to engage different groups on campus, recognizing that hazing behaviors can show up in lots of different types of groups and organizations,” McKnight said. “This is an opportunity to shine light on the fact that the University has been actively increasing our presence and the education that we’re doing around it.”
Stokes said the program, now in its third year, began as a way to be proactive.
“It was our initiative to create a space where the conversations around hazing were everyday conversations so that people would know what they are,” Stokes said. “We know a lot of the attention on hazing is centered on fraternity and sorority life, but our goal is to get many of our campus partners and stakeholders involved and show our commitment to changing culture.”
He said the Stop Campus Hazing Act, which took effect in January 2025, has added momentum to UTC’s efforts by strengthening campus policy and encouraging more students, faculty and staff to take an active role in preventing and reporting hazing.
“We were already on the front end of it, but here are some opportunities for us to have more support and people getting engaged,” he said.
In addition to the week’s events, UTC maintains a hub of hazing prevention resources at utc.edu/hazing-prevention.
The site defines hazing—including subtle hazing, harassing hazing and violent hazing—and explains how to report hazing for both students and employees, including a direct reporting link.
It also highlights UTC’s Student Code of Conduct policies, the investigation process, and the awareness and prevention programming for first-year students, student-athletes, fraternity and sorority members, and employees.
“It gives a lot more clarity to what hazing is … things that people would not generally consider hazing, but those things that can impact someone’s psychological safety,” Stokes said. “When people learn more about it, it takes away some of those myths and misconceptions.”
One of this year’s highlights is a campus presentation from longtime college health and safety advocate Dr. Lori Hart, who holds degrees from Auburn University, University of Montevallo and Georgia State University.
Hart works with more than 70 campuses and national organizations each year as part of The Catalyst Agency and serves as director of educational initiatives for Holmes Murphy Fraternal Practice.
UTC Hazing Prevention Week 2025
Monday, Sept. 22
Social Media Day: Each council, chapter, registered student organization and all other campus stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the “Mocs Don’t Haze” social media campaign. Share Hazing Prevention Week graphics to spread awareness about the mission to end hazing.
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Tuesday, Sept. 23
Lupton Hall Lobby tabling, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Learn about events for the week and receive educational materials about hazing.
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Wednesday, Sept. 24
Lupton Hall Lobby tabling, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Learn about events for the week and receive educational materials about hazing.
Bystander intervention training focused on hazing: University Center Chickamauga Room, noon
- Students are invited to attend this workshop to help learn ways to intervene to keep fellow Mocs safe from hazing.
Hazing prevention speaker Dr. Lori Hart
- UTC Fine Arts Center Roland Hayes Auditorium, 8-9:30 p.m., open to the entire campus community
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Thursday, Sept. 25
Campus Outreach Day: Chamberlain Field, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Each registered student organization and all campus stakeholders are invited to participate in Campus Outreach Day. Sign the “End Hazing” banner and explore resources available on campus.
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