What is Hazing?
Hazing is defined by NC State in the Code of Student Conduct as “any activity related to organizational membership or potential membership that Intentionally, Recklessly, or negligently humiliates, degrades, abuses, or otherwise creates a risk of mental or physical harm or discomfort, or unreasonably interferes with a Student’s academic activities or successes. Consent or lack of intent are not defenses [to charges of hazing].”
Common examples of hazing include physical hazing, psychological hazing, substance-related hazing, sexual hazing and social and emotional hazing or subtle hazing. For more detailed examples, view the University Statement on Hazing.
Know Hazing When You See It
Educational tools, like this one, can help students evaluate behavior to determine if conduct is appropriate or might meet the definition of hazing. Hazing is behavior related to organizational membership or potential membership, regardless of consent or intentionality, that meets two or more of the following:
- Is inconsistent with the purpose of the organization;
- Is negligent or reckless in nature;
- Introduces risk factors;
- Increases vulnerability factors;
- Unreasonably interferes with academic activities or success
| Risk factors include: (perpetration) | Vulnerability factors include: (victimization) |
|---|---|
| Coerced compliance | Activities that compete with academics |
| Use of alcohol or drugs | Isolation |
| Acts of servitude | Humiliation or embarrassment |
| Sleep deprivation | Disparaging treatment or intimidation |
| Sex acts (watched or performed) | Scolding or ridiculing |
| Consumption of food or beverage in excess | Creating anxiety or instilling fear |
| Calisthenics | Stripping of personal identity |
| Assault or abuse |
NC State Policy
- The code serves as the basis for student conduct at NC State. It contains information related to the university’s jurisdiction over student behavior, academic and non-academic violations, potential sanctions available when a violation occurs, and information regarding interim suspension. The university formally defines hazing in our Code of Student Conduct section 10.10
North Carolina Statute – §14-35
Hazing; definition and punishment
- It is unlawful for any student in attendance at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing, or to aid or abet any other student in the commission of this offense. For the purposes of this section hazing is defined as follows: “to subject another student to physical injury as part of an initiation, or as a prerequisite to membership, into any organized school group, including any society, athletic team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group.” Any violation of this section shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor. (1913, c. 169, ss. 1, 2, 3, 4; C.S., s. 4217; 1969, c. 1224, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 19; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2003-299, s. 1.)
Stop Campus Hazing Act (S.2901, H.R. 5646)
any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that:
- is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
- causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury