On the evening of Sept. 22, students filled the KIVA to hear from College Student Leadership and Harm Reduction Speaker Billy Boulden, whose presentation, “You Don’t Have to PROVE Anything,” urged student groups to foster cultures rooted in support, not pressure.
The event, which drew attendees from Greek life, athletics and other student organizations, explored how harmful practices, like hazing, can become quietly ingrained in group culture.
Drawing from his own experiences in athletics, fraternity life and student leadership, Boulden used candid stories and practical advice to challenge students to lead with a commitment to building healthier organizations.
“A lot of times students are told what to do and not to do, but they’re not given tangible information,” Boulden said. “My hope is to be real and authentic, share my own stories and say: ‘I did some things right and some things wrong. Let’s figure it out together.’”
Throughout the presentation, Boulden emphasized that change starts with individuals willing to lead by example and establish accountability within their communities.
One of the key tools he introduced was the “Three Ds” of intervention: direct, delegate and distract, a framework designed to help students step in when they witness behavior that conflicts with their organization’s values.
“Certainly it’s not always easy,” he said. “But I think thinking about the ‘Three Ds’ really helps. Whether it’s being direct, delegating to someone else or distracting to shift the moment, those are ways you can intervene.”
For many in the audience, the event was not only informative but carried personal significance. Ashley Billings, a junior fashion merchandising major and director of events for Alpha Phi, said she attended hoping to gain clarity on recognizing and addressing hazing within campus groups.
“I wanted to learn more about what hazing really is, what to do if I see it and how to prevent it,” she said.
A key theme of the presentation focused on creating healthy campus cultures where members feel a true sense of belonging without the pressure to constantly prove themselves.
While Billings said she hasn’t personally felt that pressure within her group, she emphasized the importance of feeling connected and supported.
“To me, belonging looks like more than just the ups, it’s the downs, too,” Billings said. “When you’re going through a hard time and everyone is there for you, but they’re also celebrating your milestones and achievements. Going through those things together, the good and the bad, brings everyone closer.”
Boulden closed the evening with a reminder that creating lasting change in campus cultures doesn’t require grand gestures but rather a steady commitment to doing better, one choice at a time.
“I hope students walk away with an opportunity to do something better, to find a better way to influence the culture within their organizations,” he said.
Alexis Hood is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].