| Representatives for the Kappa Sigma table at the Fall Orgstravaganza, 2026. Photo by Kelly Richard |
| By Noah Speights The Poke Press Students involved in Greek life and athletics at McNeese will be required to attend the upcoming mandatory hazing prevention training which will focus on recognizing hazing, understanding its consequences and knowing how to respond. The annual training comes as hazing continues to be reported on college campuses across America. According to Hazinginfo.org, colleges and universities reported 946 hazing incidents between 2018 and 2025 across 171 campuses in nine states. McNeese’s hazing transparency report lists two hazing incidents between 2018 and 2026, one involving a fraternity and one involving a sorority. The report also provides information on the university’s hazing policy and reporting procedures. Louis Gilley, McNeese’s Student Government Association president and president of Kappa Sigma fraternity, said students should approach the upcoming training with an open mind, even if they attended similar events before. “A lot of us have been through this so many times and we feel like, ‘Oh it’s just another one of those,’” Gilley said. “But trying to embody a spirit of openness and coming into it with ears that are ready to listen I think should be the biggest thing.” Gilley said hazing can be difficult to define because of how broadly it is described in Louisiana law, making the line between acceptable traditions and hazing blurry. He said he defines it as making someone do something they normally would not do that brings that person harm. “I would say hazing is forcefully, key word forcefully, having an individual do something they would not normally do either for the benefit of the person asking or just purely to watch the detriment of the person being asked,” Gilley said. Within Kappa Sigma, Gilley said members review the fraternity’s code of conduct twice a semester. The code addresses hazing, alcohol and drug abuse, and gives examples of where it would apply. “We’re very tough on hazing,” he said. “It is absolutely unacceptable for us.” Students who encounter suspected hazing can report their concerns through McNeese’s reporting resources, including an anonymous online form. While the training is required for Greek life and athletics members, Gilley said it should be viewed as more than just a requirement. “You never know what you can learn,” Gilley said, “even if it’s not about hazing, you might be able to learn about a new individual in front of you, a fellow student and their struggles.” The training will provide students with an opportunity to learn more about hazing and the resources available to them while reinforcing the responsibility students have to report any potentially harmful behavior they encounter. Students will receive further information about the training by email. |
