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.
Hazing Laws and Policy
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.
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.
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.
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.
Definition of Hazing
Hazing, regardless of an individual's willingness to participate, is any intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by one person or a group against another individual in connection with initiation, admission or continued membership in a student organization or group that:
- Causes or creates a risk (above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution or the student organization) of physical or psychological injury. It includes activities such as:
- Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone's body or similar activity;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics or other similar activity;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs or other substances;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
- Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
- Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal or Federal law; and
- Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
Definition of Student Organization
Under the Stop Campus Hazing Act, a student organization includes any group of two or more students participating in a recognized or unrecognized university-affiliated activity. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Clubs, societies, and student associations
- Fraternities and sororities
- Athletic teams (varsity, junior varsity, and club sports)
- Marching band
- ROTC and affiliated clubs
- Student government