To Change Students’ Dangerous Behavior, Understand Their Motives

(The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 13) Anyone who works with fraternities eventually realizes how much their success depends on the decision making of undergraduates. When students make poor choices that lead to alcohol abuse or destructive hazing, there is pressure on us to take immediate action. Though well-intentioned, our rush to do something is often ineffective because it doesn’t put students in a position to make better decisions, which is what we ultimately need.

Often after a hazing incident, we issue policies or directives. Read more.