Monday, Sept. 23 marked the beginning of National Hazing Prevention Week, which annually falls during the last full week of September. Hazing awareness and prevention are crucial for building a safer Villanova community. As stated on the University website and in the student handbook, hazing is any means of intentional, knowing or reckless action or situation that, for purposes of initiation or admission into or affiliation with an organization or as a condition for continued or enhanced membership in an organization, endangers the mental or physical health, safety, well-being or dignity of an individual, or destroys or removes public or private property. Villanova students are encouraged to advocate and enforce hazing prevention and bring awareness of hazing’s detrimental impacts to both physical and mental health.