What is Hazing?

Hazing happens when someone is pressured or expected to do something risky, embarrassing, or harmful to join or stay in a student organization. It doesn't matter if they say yes; if it causes harm, it's not okay.

Research shows hazing can lead to stress, isolation, and long-term impacts on mental health and academic success.

Hazing can look like:

  • drinking or using substances to "prove" yourself
  • physical challenges that cause pain or overexhaustion
  • being isolated, sleep-deprived, or shamed
  • doing something illegal or degrading

Learn more about the research and what it tells us.

Report an Incident

If you receive a report, witness, or experience hazing, please report it immediately.

  1. Report to Student Conduct ("Report an incident" button below)
  2. Emergency: call 911
What is 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 club or organization
  • Is careless or reckless in nature
  • Creates unsafe or harmful conditions
  • Targets or exploits someone's vulnerabilities
  • Unreasonably interferes with academic activities or success

If you're unsure whether something is hazing, ask a trusted staff member or report it anonymously. You don't have to be certain; you just have to speak up.

The Spectrum of Hazing™ is a research-based resource developed by StopHazing researchers, Dr. Elizabeth Allan & Dr. Dave Kerschner.

Learn more about the research and what it tells us.

Hazing Policies and Laws

The Stop Campus Hazing Act introduces amendments to the Clery Safety Act, requiring universities to include hazing as a reportable crime in their Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports. The first crime statistics for hazing will appear in the 2026 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Appalachian State University Hazing Policy (Policy 301.8). It outlines how to report hazing incidents, referral procedures to appropriate university offices, and the publication of the Campus Hazing Transparency Report. Reports are investigated by designated university offices, and violations may result in disciplinary action.

Appalachian State University's Clery Safety Act Policy (Policy 301.4) outlines the university's responsibilities under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act of 1990. The policy requires the university to disclose specified crime statistics for incidents occurring on or near campus, maintain daily crime and fire logs, and publish an Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) by October 1 each year. Designated Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) are required to report qualifying crimes, including hazing, within 48 hours (2 business days) to the Appalachian State Police Department.

The Code of Student Conduct – Organizational Conduct and Hazing outlines Appalachian State University's internal student's disciplinary procedures for hazing violations. It prohibits engaging in, encouraging, or negligently allowing hazing to occur. Reports of hazing are investigated by the Office of Student Conduct, and violations may result in outcomes such as suspension or loss of recognition for student organizations. The policy applies to all students and recognized student groups, including fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, and clubs.

Harrison's Law (North Carolina General Statute § 14-35) makes hazing a criminal offense in the state of North Carolina. Under this law, students who engage in hazing may be charged with a Class A1 misdemeanor, while school personnel who participate or assist in hazing may face Class I felony charges.

The Clery Safety Act of 1990 (officially known as the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act) requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and publicly outline the policies and procedures they have put into place to improve campus safety.

The Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024 is a federal law that expands the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act to include hazing as a reportable offense. It requires colleges and universities to include hazing statistics in their Annual Security Reports, publish a biannual Campus Hazing Transparency Report, and implement prevention education programs for students and employees.

App State Hazing Resources

Appalachian State University's response to hazing involves a network of campus offices. To learn more, please visit these campus resources:

Campus Safety & Hazing Prevention: Training, Tools, and Transparency

Students

Employees

Online modules

Information

When does behavior cross the line?

A tradition or bonding activity becomes hazing when:

  • Participation is not truly voluntary
  • It causes physical, emotional, or academic harm
  • It relies on power imbalance or secrecy
  • It makes someone feel unsafe, degraded, or coerced

If you're unsure, ask:

  • Would this be okay if it were public?
  • Would I feel safe saying no?
How to build community through safe traditions

Fostering unity and teamwork: Consider activities that require collaboration to achieve a common goal, which can effectively build unity and communication skills.

Promoting community engagement: Collaborating on a community service project enables members to bond while giving back. This also reinforces positive values and public image.

Enhancing personal and professional development: Promote engaging activities that build skills and encourage personal growth. These can help new members see the value in joining the organization.

Creating meaningful traditions: Replace any negative past practices with new, positive traditions that mark the group's journey.

What is the Spectrum of Hazing™?

The Spectrum of Hazing™ is a research-based resource developed by StopHazing researchers, Dr. Elizabeth Allan & Dr. Dave Kerschner.

The Spectrum of Hazing Outlined

This text-version of the Spectrum of Hazing outlines the three categories and the relationship between recognition and frequency of the behaviors.

Intimidation

Hazing that is hard to recognize but occurs frequently include acts of intimidation such as:

  • Deception
  • Assignment of demerits
  • Silence periods with implied threats for violation
  • Social isolation of new members
  • Use of demeaning names
  • Expecting certain items to always be in one's possession

Harassment

Typical acts of hazing include forms of harassment such as:

  • Verbal abuse
  • Threats or implied threats
  • Asking new members to wear embarrassing attire
  • Skit nights with degrading or humiliating acts
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Sexual simulations

Violence

Forms of hazing that occur less frequently, but are easy to recognize, include violence against others, such as:

  • Forced alcohol or drug consumption
  • Beating, paddling, or other forms of physical assault
  • Branding
  • Forced ingestion of vile substances
  • Water intoxication
  • Abduction/kidnapping
  • Sexual Assault

Learn more about the research and what it tells us.