As part of National Hazing Prevention Week, BGSU students and faculty are invited to Chalk the Walk on Sept. 27.

“This has been officially happening since September of 2022,” said Kori Koschalk-Newmister, assistant director for BGSU’s Center for Women and Gender Equity.

“It’s a way for students to come out and be creative and put some messaging around campus to help promote Green Dot, our campus Bystander and Prevention Program, as well as National Hazing Prevention Week,” said Koschalk-Newmister.

The creation of this event follows the hazing death of student Stone Foltz, who died in March of 2021. 

Chalk the Walk is an event where students and faculty can use sidewalk chalk to write positive, motivating messages and graphics while also advocating against domestic violence and hazing.

Over half of college students involved in clubs, teams and organizations experience hazing during their time as students, according to the Hazing Prevention Network.

“We want all of our Falcons to feel like they are a part of something greater and a place that they all feel welcomed and like they can focus on their education and their student experience without fears of hazing and power-based violence,” said Koschalk-Newmister.

Hazing can occur within college fraternities, sororities and athletic teams all across the nation, according to the Hazing Prevention Network. These behaviors can include consumption, humiliation, sexual acts, sleep deprivation and isolation.

The Hazing Prevention Network also states that of those aware of hazing on their campus, the most common type of hazing is alcohol-related. This is followed by things such  as psychological harm, sexual assault and physical harm.

“Hazing often masquerades as a rite of passage or tradition, but it undermines the true values of brotherhood, sisterhood, scholarship, service or membership in dany organization,” said Daryl McCoy, coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life at BGSU.

“It strips away dignity and does not foster the kind of unity we should strive for in a community,” Mccoy added. 

The Chalk the Walk for Prevention event happening this month will give BGSU students the opportunity to use their voice and help make their college town a safer place for all.

“Every student on campus walks across these sidewalks every single day and you never know what somebody is going through,” said Reagan Zehnder, student feminist ambassador at BGSU.

“I think it’s a way of getting people aware. If they’re walking by and see this message, maybe it’s something they really need to hear,” Zehnder said.

For those unable to attend Chalk the Walk, Koschalk-Newmister said there are other ways to spread awareness for this cause.

“People can always reach out to me or Lauren Albert (BGSU Health Educator) to schedule a Green Dot or Hazing Prevention training or even a share on socials can help promote the messaging,” said Koschalk-Newmister.

McCoy also said there are several ways students at BGSU can advocate against hazing.

“All BGSU students can advocate against hazing by speaking out when they see or hear something wrong, educating themselves on what constitutes hazing and standing firm in promoting a culture of respect and dignity,” said McCoy. 

“Encouraging safe, responsible and inclusive practices is a shared responsibility, and when we support one another in rejecting hazing, we strengthen the fabric of our campus community.”

With hazing and violence being issues among college campuses nationwide, BGSU administration said they will continue to do what they can to make students feel safe.

Chalk the Walk will be happening this Friday, Sep. 27 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. outside of the Education Building.

For more information about this event, contact the BGSU Center for Women and Gender Equity (CGWE) at 419-372-7227 or visit the CWGE resources page on BGSU’s website for more information.