Hazing Is Never Acceptable

Hazing IconWhat is hazing? (from JSU policy)

The term “hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with other persons, against any individual or group of individuals, regardless of affiliation, whether or not committed on organizational property or JSU property, for the purpose of recruiting, joining, initiating, admitting, affiliating, or for the purpose of retaining membership in an organization that causes an individual or group of individuals to do any of the following regardless of a person’s willingness to participate:

  • Be coerced to violate federal, state, provincial, local law or JSU policy;
  • Be coerced to consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug, or other substance in any non-customary manner which subjects the individual or group of individual to a substantial risk of emotional or physical harm which includes but is not limited to sickness, vomiting, intoxication, or unconsciousness;
  • Endure brutality of a physical nature, including but not limited to whipping, beating, paddling, branding, dangerous physical activity, or exposure to elements or endure threats of such conduct that results in mental or physical harm;
  • Endure brutality of mental nature, including but not limited to activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of an individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment or endure threats of such conduct that results in mental or physical harm;
  • Endure any other activity which adversely affects the health and safety of an individual, including but not limited to the disruption of academic performance or class attendance, required designated driving programs, line ups, calisthenics, or personal, physical, or financial servitude.

"Red Flags" that may indicate that a person has experienced hazing

  • Changes in behavior and communication that may correspond with the timing of a person becoming involved with an organization
  • Disrupted patterns of behavior: Not attending classes, change in grades, becoming difficult to reach or other changes in patterns of communication, not coming home as/when expected, not eating meals as usual, change in personal hygiene, only associating with certain people.
  • Describes activities that would meet the definition of hazing, but refers to them as "traditions" or "initiations."
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Symptoms of depression.
  • Friends, roommates, organizational/school staff, and/or parents/siblings express concerns about change in behavior.
  • Unusual photos posted in Facebook.