Student workshop will address hazing at OHIO and ways it can be combated

A new workshop to address hazing will take place at the Ohio University CoLab, Nov. 1–3. During this event, students will form teams to develop ideas using concepts related to creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation.

The workshop is part of a project titled, “Design Thinking Innovates OHIO,” that Matt Thomson, program manager of CoLab, submitted to the Academic Innovation Accelerator (AIA). Design Thinking is a human-centered approach to innovative problem-solving, and Thomson’s AIA project aims to bring these workshops to Ohio University on a regular basis to help solve challenges within the University and implement the solutions that come from the workshop participants.

“CoLab was founded on the idea that given the right tools, students can change the environment they are a part of,” said Thomson. “Through this workshop, we will be forming multidisciplinary groups of students to tackle a real issue on our campus that was identified by students. I am very excited to see the ideas that the students will generate during the workshops!”

In this workshop, skilled facilitators will guide student participants to develop a project for how to combat the issue through hands-on exercises in collaboration, business planning and creativity. Projects will have a one-year timeline and maximum budget of $5,000. One solution will be selected by the end of the semester, support and planning will take place in the spring (2020) and the project will be implemented in the following fall semester (2020).

“We know that one of the best ways to change culture on campus is to engage students in the solutions,” said Jenny Hall-Jones, senior associate vice president and dean of students. “Hazing is problematic on so many levels, not the least of which is that it can go unrecognized by the very people who are experiencing the hazing. My hope through this workshop is that we can educate about hazing, as well as listen to some innovative ideas around hazing awareness and prevention.”

The Nov. 1–3 workshop will be presented by the AIR Institute of Berea College. The topic also coincides with a hazing prevention task force recently announced, under the direction of the Division of Student Affairs.

For more information and to apply to participate in the workshop, visit the Design Thinking Innovates OHIO web page.