Hazing Policy

Hofstra University Rules and Regulations Regarding Hazing 

Hofstra University recognizes that membership in a fraternity/sorority or other campus organization (herein collectively referred to as an “organization”) can be a meaningful experience in conjunction with other aspects of the educational process. Unfortunately, however, membership or prospective membership in an organization is sometimes accompanied by a wrongful activity commonly known as “hazing.” Hazing is a violation of the penal law and other laws of the state of New York as well as the general regulations of the University. 

In December 2024, the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) was signed into law and aimed at combating hazing and enhancing student safety across college campuses. This act requires that all institutions of higher education that participate in federal aid programs report hazing incidents and improve hazing reporting and prevention measures. 
 

Federal Hazing Definition  

The term “hazing,” for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents, is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that: 

• Is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and  

• Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury, including: 

• 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. 

• 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. 

New York State Hazing Definition  

Hazing in the first degree – New York State Penal Law Section 120.16 

Penal (PEN) Chapter 40, Part 4, Title H, Article 120  

A person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when, in the course of another person’s initiation into or affiliation with any organization, the person intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including but not limited to making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such injury.  

Hazing in the first degree is a Class A misdemeanor.  

Hazing in the second degree – New York State Penal Law Section 120.17 

Penal (PEN) Chapter 40, Part 3, Title H, Article 120  

A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course of another person’s initiation or affiliation with any organization, the person intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including but not limited to making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or third person.  

Hazing in the second degree is a violation. 

The University will not condone hazing of any kind. To this end, any student, faculty member, staff member, visitor, licensee, or invitee who engages in hazing may be removed from campus and, where appropriate, shall be subject to suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary action. Similarly, the University may take any or all of the following actions against any organization that authorizes hazing or those members (whether individually or in concert) who engage in hazing: rescind permission for the organization to operate on campus property, rescind recognition of the organization, and prohibit the organization from using the University’s name in any manner. 

Hazing refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group, conducted for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with a group, or expected of a group member to maintain full status in a group, where the activity is abusive, humiliating, degrading, excessive, or contrary to commonly accepted standards of decency, or risks emotional or physical harm. The requirement or expectation to participate in the activity need not be expressly stated. If an individual reasonably believes that they will not be considered a fully participating member of the group or that they will be ostracized for not participating in particular behaviors (for example, alcohol use), then such implied coercion will be considered hazing.  

The specific activities constituting hazing vary widely among participants, groups, and settings, and include but are not limited to: 

•  Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs. 

• Any other act or series of acts that causes or is likely to cause mental or physical harm or danger to oneself or others. 

•  Mistreatment by playing stunts or practicing tricks that subject an individual to personal indignity, humiliation, or ridicule. 

•  Harassment by exacting unnecessary, disagreeable, or difficult work or harassment by banter, ridicule, or criticism. Some examples of such prohibited activities are: 

–  Abnormal or unusual dress holding the wearer up to ridicule, e.g., extraordinary headwear, costumes, underwear, body painting, etc. 

–  Performing unusual or abnormal acts, e.g., dancing on tables, standing at attention, standing on windowsills, blindfolding, etc. 

–  Excessive or unusual physical activities, e.g., crawling, duck walk, push-ups, sit-ups, skipping, hopping, squatting, etc. 

–  Verbal or written harassment or abuse, e.g., yelling, making demeaning remarks, etc. 

Violations of any of the foregoing prohibitions are also considered violations of the Student Conduct Codes and shall be dealt with by the University as follows: 

In the case of any individual or group that is not a member of the University community: The authorization for such individual or group to remain on University property will immediately be revoked; if the individual or group thereafter refuses to leave University property, necessary and appropriate action will be taken to remove such person or group from University property. In addition, the University may, at its sole discretion, take all necessary and appropriate action to prevent any such individual or group that engages in hazing from reentering University property. 

In the case of a Hofstra student: The student shall be requested to cease and desist from such prohibited conduct; if the student fails to do so, necessary and appropriate action will be taken to restrain and remove such student from University property. In addition, disciplinary proceedings shall be commenced, pursuant to the Code of Community Standards, against any student who engages in hazing. In accordance with those procedures, the penalties of suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary action may be imposed. 

In the case of a nonstudent member of the Hofstra community: The person shall be requested to cease and desist from such prohibited conduct; if the person fails to do so, necessary and appropriate action will be taken to restrain and remove such person from University property. In addition, charges shall be brought, in accordance with appropriate University policy, against any nonstudent member of the Hofstra community who engages in such inappropriate conduct. Appropriate disciplinary action will be imposed in accordance with University-approved procedures. 

In the case of an organization: The organization shall be requested to cease and desist from such prohibited conduct; if the organization fails to do so, necessary and appropriate action will be taken to eject such organization from University property. In addition, charges shall be instituted pursuant to the disciplinary procedures of the University against any organization that authorizes or engages in hazing. A hearing shall take place and, to the extent applicable, those procedures shall be followed. In addition to the penalties set forth in those procedures, the penalties of temporary or permanent rescission of permission for the organization to operate on campus property and temporary or permanent rescission of use of the University’s name in any manner by such organization may be imposed. 

Whenever, in the opinion of the assistant vice president of Student Enrollment, Engagement, and Success, dean of students, or the designated representative, the conduct of any individual or organization poses an imminent threat to the physical or emotional safety of such individual or others or to property, the assistant vice president, dean of students, or the designated representative may take summary action to immediately suspend such individual or organization and/or eject such individual or organization from the campus pending an appropriate hearing and final determination. 

In addition to the foregoing, the University reaffirms its right to seek and utilize the aid of public authorities and such judicial, civil, and criminal processes and proceedings, at the discretion of the University, as may be necessary and appropriate. Any penalty imposed by the University shall be in addition to any penalty pursuant to the penal law or any other law to which a violator or organization may be subject. 

The foregoing rules and regulations shall be part of the bylaws of all organizations operating on the University’s campus. Every organization shall annually review its bylaws with all individuals affiliated with such organization. 

Reporting Hazing  

It is the responsibility of all members of the Hofstra University community to report hazing. In cases where immediate harm is threatened, reports should be made to the Department of Public Safety by calling 516-463-6789 or by visiting the Mack Public Safety and Information Center on the southeast corner of Hempstead Turnpike and California Avenue, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Reports Against Student Organizations  
Any member of the University community may initiate a complaint against a student organization that is believed to have engaged in hazing by filing a report with the Department of Public Safety. You may contact the Dean of Students Office at 516-463-6913 for assistance with filing a complaint. Students may also report these matters through the University’s online reporting hotline at hofstra.edu/ethicspointhofstra.edu/ethicspoint. 

All reports are thoroughly investigated and adjudicated in accordance with the applicable process and procedures set forth in the Guide to Pride. The Guide to Pride also includes a list of sanctions if an organization is found responsible for a hazing violation.  

Federal/State Reporting Requirements  

Campus Hazing Transparency Reports  

Beginning July 1, 2025, Hofstra University will publish information with respect to hazing incidents where there has been a finding of responsibility against registered or unregistered student groups/organizations. The report will be updated at least twice per year if there are additional findings of responsibility to document.  

The report will include:  

• The period from when the report was last published and ending on the date it is being republished. 

• Each incident involving a student organization for which a finding of responsibility is issued related to a hazing violation, including:  

• The name of the organization 

• Dates of incidents  

• Information and description of the violation  

The Campus Hazing Transparency Report may include any additional information determined by Hofstra University as necessary or reported as required by New York state law. The Campus Hazing Transparency Report will not include personally identifiable information.