Hazing

Hazing can have a serious, long-term impact on those who experience it. It can even be fatal. There are many practices or acts that may constitute hazing depending on the circumstances. Some are more common and widely known, such as forcing an individual to drink in excess, while others are more subtle. What hazing often involves is risk of physical injury through such acts as beating or whipping, causing sleep deprivation, forcing the ingestion of food, liquid, alcohol or drugs, and/or psychological injury through humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning treatment of individuals who are joining or continuing their membership in a group, team, or organization, regardless of the the individual's willingness to participate.

For full definitions of what SCU considers an act of hazing, please see the Policy Prohibiting Hazing. For the purpose of this policy, “hazing” shall include “hazing” as defined by the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, 20 USC Section 1092(f)(6)(A) (“Federal Hazing Definition”); “hazing” as defined by the California Stop Campus Hazing Act, California Education Code Section 66306 (“California Hazing Definition”); and Other Prohibited Hazing as defined within the policy. 

Per the University's Policy Prohibiting Hazing, there are several options for reporting incidents of hazing. 

Anyone may make a report of hazing. The University strongly encourages those who believe they have been subjected to or witnessed hazing to report the incident promptly to the University. Although there is no timeline for making a report of hazing, the University
encourages the prompt reporting of a complaint as the ability of the University to respond to the complaint may be hindered by the passage of time. An individual may report hazing to the University through one or more of the following offices at any time:

Campus Safety Services
Main Parking Structure, south corner, lower level
Phone: (408) 544-4441
Email: campussafety@scu.edu

Dean of Students Office
Benson Memorial Center, 205
Phone: (408) 544-4583
Email: dso@scu.edu
Website: www.scu.edu/dso/report/

Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
Loyola Hall (North), Suite 140
425 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
Phone: (408) 551-3043
Email: titleixadmin@scu.edu
Website: www.scu.edu/title-ix/report/

Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
Walsh Administration Building, first floor
Phone: (408) 544-4533
Email: provost@scu.edu

Department of Human Resources
Loyola Hall, Suite 100
Phone: (408) 544-4392
Email: hrservicedesk@scu.edu

Any individual may make an anonymous report of hazing. In doing so, the individual may report without disclosing their name, identifying the alleged offender, or requesting any action. The University’s ability to respond may be limited, depending on the extent of the information available about the incident or the individuals involved. Anonymous reports can be submitted
through EthicsPoint.

Some incidents of hazing may constitute a crime. Reports of hazing also may be directed to law enforcement.

The University is committed to educating students, faculty, and staff about the Policy Prohibiting Hazing, healthy alternatives to hazing, and strategies to prevent hazing before it occurs. SCU utilizes Vector Solutions for hazing prevention and awareness training that is research-backed, evidence-informed, and includes bystander intervention strategies, risk reduction, and environmental factors that contribute to hazing. 

Research shows that groups who haze expect positive outcomes such as a stronger connection to the group, feeling a sense of accomplishment and worthiness, and building unity and trust. However, these goals are achievable without hazing and research shows that hazing can actually undermine these goals. Examples of alternative activities that promote belonging, well-being, and inclusion include:

• Participating in an ongoing community-wide game, challenge series, or gathering with your group (e.g. photo challenges, movie nights, virtual survivor, fantasy sports leagues, etc.)
• Providing opportunities and space for group members to gather and share personal and emotional updates or experiences to build trust and relationships, and vent with members (e.g., candle pass ceremonies, talking “stick” sessions, etc.)
• Organizing outdoor retreats (e.g., camping, hiking, professional outdoor adventure activities, etc.), restorative retreats (e.g., yoga, meditation), or relaxing retreats that encompass enjoying time with one another, group activities, reflection, group planning, etc.
• Inviting an older member, alumni, or content experts to talk about the group’s early days, founding, special traditions, accomplishments, and prominent former members. 
• Setting a meeting each quarter for members to get together and think critically about how they want the organization to move forward. This can be a time for members to voice concerns, share accomplishments, and problem solve any current situations. 
• Holding a workshop for personal development and reflection that provides time to explore personal strengths, passions, fears, goals, limiting beliefs that allow members to be vulnerable in a safe and productive way (e.g., vision board making, goal setting techniques, etc.)
• Developing a book or podcast club for interested members and alternate the types of books read or podcasts streamed and the ways they are chosen. Set up schedules and think through discussion questions and a meeting structure for the club discussion (e.g., every quarter vote on a new book or podcast(s) as a group, switching between personal development topics, relevant social issues, and fun; commit to reading/listening by a certain date, meet as a group to discuss. Added fun could be had by incorporating a theme or food to the meeting).

Information courtesy of StopHazing Research Lab. (2021). Building Healthy Groups and Teams: Group goals and activities to promote belonging, well-being, and inclusion. StopHazing Consulting. https://stophazing.org/resources/healthy-groups/ 

If you or someone you know has been hazed at SCU, resources are available, including confidential medical and mental health services and victim advocacy. Please reach out to Student Health, Counseling, and Well-Being for medical services and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for mental health resources. Examples of services available through CAPS includes short-term therapy, 24/7 mental health support through Uwill, and Therapists in Residence who are available within the residential learning communities on campus. Additionally, the Wellness Center provides survivor advocacy and can assist SCU students who have been impacted by interpersonal harm, such as hazing. This is a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space for students to explore their options, rights, and resources. 

The federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) was enacted on December 23, 2024 to strengthen efforts to prevent hazing and enhance transparency and accountability across college campuses. The Act amends the existing Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (formerly known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act) and requires colleges and universities to take specific steps to address and prevent hazing, including:

• Annual Reporting of Statistics: Public disclosure of hazing incidents in the institution’s Annual Security Report, similar to other Clery Act reporting requirements (beginning with the Annual Security Report published in October 2026).
  
• Campus Hazing Transparency Report: A publicly accessible report that lists affiliated student organizations that have been found responsible for hazing in the past five years (beginning with findings from July 1, 2025 on), including a general description of the violation, any sanctions issued, the date of the hazing incident, the date the investigation was initiated and ended, and the date of notice of the outcome.
• Educational Programming: Required hazing prevention education for all students, especially those participating in affiliated student organizations, fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, and other student groups.

In accordance with the Clery Act, SCU will publish findings of hazing policy violations by affiliated student organizations in a Campus Hazing Transparency Report. These reports will include a general description of the violation, any sanctions issues, the date of the hazing incident, the date the investigation was initiated and completed, and the date of notice of the outcome. Please check back later for any findings of violations beginning July 1, 2025 onward. 

Why are there multiple definitions of hazing in the Policy?

There are multiple definitions of hazing in the Policy Prohibiting Hazing because the Federal Hazing Definition and California Hazing Definition are distinct, and a third category was added to encompass other activities. A person or group will be found to be in violation of the Policy if the conduct falls within any of the three definitions. The conduct may fall within more than one definition of hazing, but only one is required for a finding of a violation of this Policy. 

 

What are some less extreme examples of hazing to look out for?

While the Federal Hazing Definition provides some examples of hazing activities, these are rather extreme forms of hazing. Commonly, hazing involves acts like pressuring individuals to consume large amounts of alcohol; however, other examples include forcing an individual to spend their meal points or money to feed other members of the organization, vandalizing the individual’s room by spraying substances, and in some cases, forcing the individual to wear certain embarrassing clothing or get certain haircuts. If you are uncertain if a particular activity is hazing, consider if you would be willing to share details of this activity with a family member or a University employee. If the answer is no, it may be hazing. Please report any incidents that might be considered hazing. 

 

What kind of activities might be considered hazing through psychological injury?

Discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, degradation, humiliation, or ridicule are types of psychological injury that can be caused by hazing. Examples of such actions include but are not limited to, name-calling, threats of violence, social isolation, and deprivation of privileges granted to other members. 

 

How do I know which reporting option to choose?

The Policy provides many reporting options, including anonymous and confidential reporting through EthicsPoint. The Dean of Students Office also provides a reporting form, which may be completed without entering personally identifying information, through their website at scu.edu/dso/report. Anyone may submit reported incidents of hazing within the SCU community through either of these forms. 

Campus Safety Services is open 24/7/365 and available to take reports by any community member. Alternatively, students can report incidents of hazing to the Dean of Students Office or Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX. Reports by or against faculty members can alternatively be reported to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, while reports by or against staff can be reported to the Department of Human Resources.

There is no wrong way to report and you may choose whichever method or office makes you most comfortable. All offices included in the Policy are able to receive a report and connect with the appropriate investigative body. 

 

I think I was hazed–what support options are available?

We highly recommend reporting hazing immediately. In addition to reporting options, the University also provides support to those who wish to discuss their experiences in a safe space. The Wellness Center is dedicated to providing a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space for students to explore their options, rights, and resources. Additionally, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers short-term therapy, crisis support, groups and workshops. 

 

How do student leaders engage in positive team-building activities, instead of hazing?

There are many ways that student leaders can shift from harmful hazing traditions to positive team-building activities. Examples include community service and philanthropy activities, service learning trips, mentoring opportunities, outdoor challenges, athletic competitions, history and values exercises, etc.

 

Are incidents of hazing in social fraternities and sororities included in the Annual Security Report and Campus Hazing Transparency Report?

While the University does not officially recognize Greek social organizations that operate within its student body, reports of hazing that occur within the University’s Clery geography will be included in the Annual Security Report statistics, regardless of whether the organization is recognized or affiliated with the University. The Campus Transparency Report will include findings of violations of the policy that involve recognized student organizations, and will therefore not include violations by the unaffiliated social fraternities and sororities that operate within our student body. 

 

Are incidents of hazing in professional fraternities and sororities included in the Annual Security Report and Campus Hazing Transparency Report?

There are various professional fraternities that are recognized student organizations operating on campus. Reports of hazing by professional fraternities will be included in the Annual Security Report, so long as the incident occurred within the University’s Clery geography. The Campus Transparency Report will include findings of violations of the policy that involve recognized student organizations, and therefore will include violations by the affiliated professional fraternities that operate on campus. 

 

What department/office maintains records of hazing incidents?

Records of hazing incidents will be held across the various departments involved in the response to allegations; however, the Emergency Planning Department within Campus Safety Services will be ultimately responsible for tracking and reporting reports and findings of hazing in accordance with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, 20 USC Section 1092(f)(6)(A) and the California Stop Campus Hazing Act, California Education Code Section 66306.

 

What department/office investigates an allegation of hazing?

An allegation of hazing will be investigated by the appropriate office based on the alleged perpetrator’s status on campus. Students alleged to have engaged in hazing will be investigated by the Dean of Students Office. Staff alleged to have engaged in hazing will be investigated by the Department of Human Resources. Faculty alleged to have engaged in hazing will be investigated by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX will be engaged for conduct that may violate the University’s policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation for a response consistent with these policies. 

 

What department/office creates and publishes the Campus Hazing Transparency Report?

The Campus Hazing Transparency Report is created and published by the Emergency Planning Department within Campus Safety Services, in consultation with appropriate University partners.  

 

What department/office creates and publishes the Annual Security Report?

The Annual Security Report is created and published by the Emergency Planning Department within Campus Safety Services, in consultation with appropriate University partners.