Definitions and Components of Hazing
What is Hazing?
- Hazing includes doing any of the following, or pressuring, causing, forcing, soliciting, or coercing any person to do any of the following, for the purpose of initiating, admitting, or affiliating an individual into or with a student group or student organization; continuing or enhancing an individual’s membership or status in a student group or student organization; or perpetuating or furthering a tradition or ritual of a student group or student organization:
- Engage in any conduct prohibited by federal and/or state and/or municipal criminal law, regardless of whether an arrest is made, or criminal charges are brought;
- Take into their body any food, liquid (including alcohol), drug, or other substance that subjects the person to substantial risk of mental or physical harm; and/or;
- Cause or create a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to another/or engage in any act or omission that contributes to the death of another.
- Hazing also includes, but is not limited to, the following actions, if they happen for the purpose of initiating, admitting, or affiliating an individual into or with a student group or student organization; continuing or enhancing an individual’s membership or status in a student group or student organization; or perpetuating or furthering a tradition or ritual of a student group or student organization:
- Acts of a physical nature such as: beating, bondage, branding, calisthenics (e.g. wall-sits, sit-ups, push-ups), exposure to the elements, kicking, paddling, pushing, shoving, striking, tackling, throwing items at or on individuals, and/or whipping.
- Acts that may adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual such as: exclusion from social contact, kidnapping or abandonment, line-ups or berating; and/or sleep or food deprivation.
- Activities that a reasonable person would view to be frightening, humiliating, intimidating, or deceptive (including deception intended to convince the individual of impending pain, injury, or non-initiation) such as: blindfolding; having individuals yell when entering or departing a physical structure or in the presence of designated individuals; having individuals use designated entrances or exits and/or not permitting them to enter general use facilities or spaces; intentionally creating labor or clean-up work; not allowing individuals to wear certain garments or accessories; promoting servitude; requiring individuals to complete personal errands; requiring individuals to wear apparel that is conspicuous or uncomfortable and/or requiring individuals to wear scant clothing or to be nude.
- Participation in any act of a sexual or lewd nature.
- Activities that endanger or have the potential to endanger the academic performance or personal life of an individual (e.g., not allowing adequate time for or interfering with academic commitments, employment, or family obligations).
- Any destruction or removal of public or private property.
- Activities that violate University policies.
- Any activity or action that causes mental, emotional, or physical distress, which ridicules, degrades, embarrasses, leads to confusion or frustration, causes discomfort, or jeopardizes the health, welfare, and safety of an individual or a group is prohibited. Students may not imply that a person would be shunned, removed, or not initiated for failing to participate in any form of hazing.
Scavenger hunts are not against policy, but they must align with the values and goals of the organization. Scavenger hunts that require the participation of a single group, with tasks that are made to embarrass, degrade, hurt or humiliate a person are against policy, regardless of perceived consent.
Definitions/Terms
- Student: All persons taking courses at Wittenberg University either full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate or professional studies. Persons who withdraw after allegedly violating the Student Code of Conduct, who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with Wittenberg University or who have been notified of their acceptance for admission are considered “students” as are persons who are living in Wittenberg University’s residence halls, although not enrolled in this institution.
- Student organization: Any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for Wittenberg University’s recognition or registration. This includes all registered student organizations.
- Student group/team: Any number of persons who are associated with the University and each other, but who have not registered, or are not required to register as a student organization (e.g., athletic teams, honor societies, musical or theatrical ensembles, bands or clubs).
- Serious physical harm: Includes, but is not limited to, any harm that involves disfigurement, protracted loss of use of or impairment of the function of a bodily part, organ, or mental faculty; substantial risk of death or emergency hospitalization; and or unconsciousness.
A great resource to learn more is stophazing.org
10 Signs of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationship Signs within Groups (47MB File)
Hazing Resources & Activities
Many local and national organizations, as well as campus contacts are identified as positive sources of hazing information and outreach. Learn More