What is Hazing?
Recognizing the signs of hazing is crucial in preventing and addressing its negative effects in any setting
Hazing is any action taken or any situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule and risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group or team, whether new or not, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.
Some definitions of hazing vary but all have common factors:
- Power differential between those in a group and those who want to join a group, or between senior and junior members of a group
- Intentional initiation rite, practice or "tradition" involved
- Willingness to participate does not absolve responsibility for either party
Resources
Below are just some examples of hazing practices that occur:
- Forced activities for new recruits to ‘prove’ their worth to join.
- Forced or required consumption of alcohol.
- Obligation to consume spicy foods or other substances as part of the initiation process.
- Requirement to endure hardships such as staying awake, menial tasks, physical labor, running while blindfolded, etc.
- Humiliation of new or potential members.
- Isolation of new or potential members.
- Physical assaults, such as beatings or paddling, directed at new or prospective members.
- Requirements for new or potential members to do things established members are not required to do.
- Illegal activities such as requirement to steal local items as part of a scavenger hunt.
- Hazing occurs in sports teams, clubs, Greek life, cheerleading, honor societies and more
- Hazing is often about power and control. Hazing does not build unity
- More than half of students in colleges and universities involved in clubs, sports teams and organizations have experienced hazing
- A significant number of hazing incidents and deaths involve alcohol consumption
- Students are more likely to be hazed if they knew an adult who was hazed
- 2 in 5 students say they are aware of hazing taking place on their campus
- Hazing occurs in middle schools, high schools and colleges
- Both male and female students report a high level of hazing
If you’re not sure whether or not something happening to you or to someone else is hazing, ask yourself these questions:
- Would I feel comfortable participating in this activity if my parents were watching?
- Would we get in trouble if a school/college administrator walked by and saw us?
- Am I being asked to keep these activities a secret?
- Am I doing anything illegal?
- Does participation in this activity violate my values or those of this organization?
- Is this causing emotional or physical distress or stress to myself or to others?
- Am I going to be able to get a job if I have to put a criminal arrest on my application?
The hazing prevention network can be found here.
The Office of General Counsel is available for any legal advice and assistance, providing expert guidance on a wide range of legal matters to ensure compliance and protect your interests.
UM's hazing policy can be found here.