During the first week of school, club leaders across campus gathered for hazing training. For many, it was an illuminating and thought-provoking experience that explored different methods of hazing they were previously unaware of. For several reasons, including legal considerations, Flyby officially does not condone hazing. However, we have brainstormed some alternatives for club leaders to consider implementing if they want to foster a greater sense of community.
- Group Breakfast
Break bread (or bagels) at breakfast together in Annenberg. Even if it’s just for a week, bringing together your team or club for daily breakfast hangouts is the perfect way to start the day with a healthy dose of community and fun. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, too, and looking out for the well-being of your community is a great way to be inclusive and stress community values.
- Participate in Lectures
While it may be easy to get by in some of your classes without doing the readings or ever participating in lectures, something about the academic culture at this school needs to change — and you must be the change you wish to see. We’re here for the promised transformative learning experience and debates centered around intellectual vitality. Hold accountability groups — ensure that every member of your group completes their readings and is prepared to engage in class by asking meaningful questions about the material, even if it's in Ec10a or LS1a.
- Eat Vegetables
Let's be real — it's sometimes hard to make sure that you have a colorful plate when all that appeals to you in the dhall is the shrimp pasta and fancy bread that they have twice a month. What better way to fix this than with your student organization! If breakfast together wasn’t enough, regrouping later in the day and each finishing a plate of peppers, broccoli, and spinach will be enough to not only strengthen your stomach with great fiber, but also your relationship with your community!
- Use a Laptop in a Tech-Free Class
As we know, many Harvard classes are now implementing a tech-free policy. Yes, that iPad that you invested hundreds of dollars in is already becoming obsolete, and you haven’t even graduated yet! Well, if you’re not ready to give up your technology just yet, be the change you want to see in the world with the rest of your organization's members! Keep that laptop wide open, brightness all the way up. After all, you’re just encouraging them to try to learn! If you get called out in lecture it's basically just a pub for your group — any press is good press!
- Community Service
Giving back to your community is always really fulfilling and a good reminder of how to stay grounded. We encourage you to find ways to make sure every member of your community can make a difference. For example — this could include initiatives to uplift general student mental health and wellbeing on campus. Be a welcoming presence and greet people in the morning as they enter the dining hall, or offer to stay in the elevator and press buttons for peers to take one less thing off their mind.
- Hydrate or Die-drate
Many of the lessons that were taught in the hazing training focused on drinking… whether it be cups of condiments or any other nasty concoction (you fill in the blanks here), they don’t want to see it. So, club leaders, don’t let it happen! Instead of encouraging drinking, expect the exact opposite from the new members of your organization. Only beverages that are allowed in the dhall are to be consumed — prepare for the only buzz you feel to be from the soda machine sparkling water. Refreshing!
- Stand up for Student Rights
Honk if you hate hazing! Nothing beats hazing like protesting hazing in front of Smith Center. This is an excellent opportunity for members of your community to learn more about empathy and empowerment. Be trailblazing changemakers and stand up for student rights as a group, advocating for more inclusive and welcoming communities on campus.
In all seriousness, we urge you to be careful when considering how to welcome new members into your lovely communities. We wouldn’t want you to take in members that are unengaged in class, thirsty, not civically engaged, or lacking vitamin A (eat your carrots). Happy club comp season!