The University of Arizona today announced additional campuswide hazing prevention initiatives while reaffirming its commitment to student safety and accountability.

The expanded efforts reflect the university's commitment to strengthening hazing prevention through emerging best practices while fostering a campus culture in which every student understands their responsibility to recognize, prevent and report hazing. Several initiatives were already underway as part of the university's broader commitment to student safety and will now be expanded or accelerated.

"Every student deserves to belong to organizations that build leadership, character and lifelong friendships in a safe environment," University of Arizona Chief Academic Officer and Provost Patricia Prelock said. "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."

As part of that commitment, the university is implementing and expanding several initiatives, including:

• Convening fraternity and sorority student leaders, university officials and national fraternity and sorority representatives at the start of the fall semester to reaffirm shared expectations for conduct, accountability and student safety.
• Expanding anti-hazing education to additional student organizations across campus.
• Moving required hazing prevention education for fraternity and sorority new members earlier in the membership process.
• Completing the nationally recognized Hazing Prevention Institute certification for Dean of Students staff to strengthen hazing prevention, education and response efforts.
• Hiring a full-time Student Affairs professional dedicated to strengthening campus prevention programming and education.

These efforts build on existing university initiatives, including Wildcats Don't Haze, mandatory hazing prevention education for fraternity and sorority members, campuswide awareness campaigns that encourage students to report concerns, and ongoing collaboration with national fraternity and sorority organizations to promote accountability and student success.

The university is announcing these expanded prevention efforts alongside its decision to withdraw recognition of Sigma Alpha Mu for five years following a Dean of Students investigation that found multiple violations of the Arizona Board of Regents Student Code of Conduct, including hazing and conduct that endangered student safety.

"The conduct documented during this investigation was unacceptable and contrary to the standards of our university community," Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman said. "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 also appreciates the students, advisors and organizational partners who cooperated throughout the investigation. Their willingness to come forward reflects a shared commitment to student safety and accountability.

The U of A's fraternity and sorority community includes more than 50 organizations with nearly 7,000 members committed to scholarship, leadership, service and responsible conduct. During the 2025-26 academic year, fraternity and sorority members earned a cumulative GPA of 3.32, exceeding the university average, with approximately 76% of members achieving a GPA above 3.0. Chapters also raised more than $260,000 for charitable causes, completed required hazing prevention education and completed more than 30,000 hours of community service. These accomplishments demonstrate that the conduct addressed in this case is not representative of the university's broader fraternity and sorority community.

"Hazing prevention requires more than responding after an incident occurs," Vice President for Student Affairs Amanda Kraus said. "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."