Hazing Research Initiative Pledge
NORTH AMERICAN INTERFRATERNAL FOUNDATION
SUPPORTS HAZING RESEARCH INITIATIVE WITH GENEROUS PLEDGE
CARMEL, IN (March 2006) — The North American Interfraternal Foundation (NIF) recently presented the University of Maine with a $50,000 check at the recent NASPA Conference Fraternity/Sorority Knowledge Community Interfraternal Luncheon to kick off an ambitious fundraising campaign to raise contributions to support the ground breaking hazing research study already underway by Dr. Elizabeth Allan. Dr. Allan is one of the foremost national authorities on the subject of hazing and serves as Assistant Professor of Higher Educational Leadership at the University of Maine.
The Pilot Phase of the study, Examining and Transforming Campus Hazing Cultures, has been completed and involved more than 1800 students, faculty and staff at four institutions. Dr. Allan and Project Director Dr. Mary Madden are now preparing to move to Phase II which will expand data collection to a larger sampling of undergraduate students. The study will investigate the nature and prevalence of hazing practices across a range of student groups at colleges and universities in the U.S. Results of the study will be used to make recommendations for intervention and prevention for educators, policy-makers and the general public.
The NIF pledged $50,000 to leverage support from organizations, institutions and corporations to raise the additional nearly $300,000 needed to complete the study. “The NIF board of directors feels that this study will provide critical information regarding hazing on college campuses to help us understand the underlying cultural issues and to be proactive in dealing with the issue. We feel that the project is an excellent investment of our time and resources and look forward to creating additional partnerships to fully support Dr. Allan’s efforts,” noted David M. Coyne, CFRE, president of the NIF.
The NIF promotes and supports leadership, educational and research initiatives that advance the North American college fraternal experience. In addition to Dr. Allan’s study, the NIF also sponsors scholarships for outstanding fraternity and sorority graduate students, and provides grants for educational initiatives positively impacting the fraternal experience. The NIF maintains an endowment of nearly $1 million with an annual operating budget of $100,000 primarily funded through philanthropic support from national Greek organizations and leaders.
The $50,000 will be used to begin Phase 2 of the project. “We are extremely appreciative of the NIF’s leadership and support for this research initiative. Their encouragement has helped to form the coalition of organizations that are working to move this project forward. The impact of their contributions will reverberate across college and university campuses on a national level, providing critical information that will benefit the health and safety of students,” commented Dr. Elizabeth Allan.
Many organizations have already stepped forward initially as Advisory Board research partners including NASPA, AFA, NCAA, PFA, NIC, NPC and others. Representatives from these groups form an Advisory Council that meets regularly with Dr. Allan by conference call to provide feedback, guidance and support for her efforts.
For additional information about the issue of hazing, visit www.stophazing.com. Information about the NIF can be provided by contacting Sidney N. Dunn at (317) 595-9613 or visiting www.nif-inc.net.
Contact Information
North American Interfraternal Foundation
1750 Royalton Dr.
Carmel, IN 46032-9620
(317) 595-9613 Phone
Sidney N. Dunn
www.NIF-inc.net
END