Hazing

Hazing is a societal problem that is not limited to fraternities or sororities, but can occur in any organization. Over the past several years, hazing has become prevalent among high school students, athletic teams, the military, marching bands, honor societies, and other social and professional organizations.Hazing is a premeditated act of power and control over others and is considered victimization. It is abusive, degrading and often life-threatening. Hazing is defined as any reckless or intentional conduct in connection with the initiation into or affiliation with any organization which degrades, humiliates or endangers the mental or physical health of any person, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate, or which damages, destroys or removes any public or private property.  The University does not condone hazing in any form and defines hazing to include but not limited to:

a. Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health and/or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or association with, any organization operating under registration with the University.

b. Brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements; forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substances; or other forced elements; or other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental or physical health or safety of the individual.

c. Any activity that could subject the individual to mental or physical stress such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced contact which could result in embarrassment, or any other activity that could adversely affect the mental or physical health or dignity of the individual.

d. Forcing or requiring the violation of University policies, federal, state, or local law.

e. Any activity, as described above, upon which the initiation or admission into or association with a University organization may be directly or indirectly conditioned, shall be presumed to be a "forced" activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such an activity notwithstanding.

This definition applies to acts conducted on or off campus whenever such acts are deemed to constitute hazing.

Examples of hazing activities include, but are not limited to:

• Forced or required participation in physical activities such as calisthenics, exercises, games or “make work” activity 
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, water, illegal substances
• Forced, required or condoned application of foreign substances to the body resulting in lewdness or a potential for ridicule or bodily harm (such as tattooing or branding)
• Participation in activities that involve illegal acts such as “pledge ditches” and kidnappings, scavenger hunts and thefts
• Creation of excessive fatigue and stress through deprivation of privacy or sufficient sleep (defined as a minimum of six consecutive hours per day) or decent and edible meals
• Deprivation of access to means of maintaining personal hygiene
• Forced or required conduct that would embarrass or negatively affect the dignity of the individual, such as forced nudity or partial nudity, including coercing or allowing an individual to dress in a degrading manner as part of initiation or affiliation with a group
• Use of physical brutality (including paddling; striking with fists, feet, open hands or objects; and branding)
• Participation in or creation of situations that cause psychological harm or substantial emotional strain, such as causing a member or pledge to be the object of malicious amusement or ridicule or other verbal abuse, causing embarrassment or shame to a member or pledge, or compromising the dignity of a member or pledge.

Report a Hazing Complaint

If you have been hazed, have witnessed hazing, or suspect that someone you know has been hazed, you can report your observations confidentially via this website or by phone to University officials.

Hazing is a violation of the University at Albany’s Community Rights & Responsibilities (pdf) and all reports of hazing are taken seriously. Individual members and the organization’s leadership may be interviewed during the course of our investigation but your identity will not be disclosed to the individuals or groups in question unless we receive your permission to be identified.

The University at Albany’s ability to investigate reports and enforce University policy depends on the accuracy and specificity of the information provided. You are encouraged to provide as much specific detail as possible so that action can be taken to address the reported behavior if appropriate.

Please note that while we will respect your confidentiality it is difficult to verify a report of hazing without some form of contact with the individual(s) reporting the incident(s). In addition, reports involving hazing allegations in which no further evidence is provided and without the person who is making the allegation coming forward as a witness often cannot be pursued in the University judicial system unless there are other identifiable witnesses who are willing to provide first-hand knowledge of the incident.

If you wish to speak to someone directly, please contact the Office of Student Involvement & Leadership at 518-442-5566.

If you feel the situation requires immediate attention and/or an individual’s safety is at risk, please contact the University Police Department at
518-442-3131.