The University of Arizona has unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering its hazing prevention efforts, reinforcing its dedication to ensuring student safety and upholding accountability. These initiatives are part of a larger strategy to embed best practices in hazing prevention and foster a campus environment where students are aware of their role in preventing and reporting such incidents.
“Every student deserves to belong to organizations that build leadership, character and lifelong friendships in a safe environment,” stated Patricia Prelock, the University of Arizona’s Chief Academic Officer and Provost. “The overwhelming majority of our student organizations reflect those values every day. Those that do not will be thoroughly investigated and held accountable. Hazing has no place at the U of A, and we will continue investing in prevention, education and accountability to protect our students and strengthen a campus culture built on safety, respect and belonging.”
New and Expanded Initiatives
The university is implementing and expanding several initiatives to address hazing, which include:
- Engaging fraternity and sorority leaders, university officials, and national representatives at the start of each fall semester to reinforce expectations for conduct and student safety.
- Extending anti-hazing education to reach more student organizations across the campus.
- Scheduling mandatory hazing prevention education for new members of fraternities and sororities earlier in their membership process.
- Achieving certification from the Hazing Prevention Institute for the Dean of Students staff to enhance prevention, education, and response efforts.
- Recruiting a dedicated Student Affairs professional to focus on campus prevention programming and education.
These initiatives build on existing programs like Wildcats Don’t Haze and other mandatory hazing prevention education efforts for fraternity and sorority members. The university also continues its campuswide campaigns to encourage reporting of such concerns and collaborates with national fraternity and sorority organizations to maintain accountability and student success.
In a related move, the university has revoked the recognition of Sigma Alpha Mu for five years following an investigation by the Dean of Students. The investigation uncovered multiple breaches of the Arizona Board of Regents Student Code of Conduct, including hazing and actions jeopardizing student safety.
Commitment to Student Safety and Accountability
“The conduct documented during this investigation was unacceptable and contrary to the standards of our university community,” commented Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman. “The U of A will not tolerate hazing or misconduct that threatens student safety. Protecting students, upholding community standards and ensuring accountability are non-negotiable priorities.”
The university acknowledges the cooperation of students, advisors, and organizational partners during the investigation, emphasizing their collective dedication to student safety and accountability.
The University of Arizona’s fraternity and sorority community comprises over 50 organizations with nearly 7,000 members. These groups are committed to scholarship, leadership, service, and ethical conduct. In the 2025-26 academic year, these students achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.32, surpassing the university average, with about 76% maintaining a GPA above 3.0. They also raised over $260,000 for charity and completed more than 30,000 hours of community service, showcasing that the issues addressed are not indicative of the fraternity and sorority community as a whole.
“Hazing prevention requires more than responding after an incident occurs,” noted Amanda Kraus, Vice President for Student Affairs. “It requires education, shared accountability and a sustained commitment to prevention. Meaningful progress depends on students, alumni, national organizations, families and campus partners working together, and we are grateful for those who help strengthen a culture where every student can experience leadership, belonging and personal growth in a safe environment.”
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