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What is hazing?

Hazing can look and feel very different from situation to situation, but we use a common language provided by the Stop Campus Hazing Act. According to federal law, hazing 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.  

The Stop Campus Hazing Act sets forth non-exhaustive examples of hazing conduct, 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; 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. 

     

The Stop Campus Hazing Act and regulatory landscape

In December 2024, Congress passed the Stop Campus Hazing Act, which amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 with updates related to hazing. In addition to this new federal law, the University maintains compliance with the MA Anti-Hazing Law, which provides further stipulations related to hazing, as well as legal ramifications for those found responsible for hazing violations. Our work and understanding are governed and informed by both Federal and Commonwealth Law, and it is our expectation that all students and student organizations are compliant with both. 

For a summary of the Massachusetts Anti-Hazing Law, visit this page of the Stop Hazing website. To view the actual text of the law, visit the pages linked below:

MA Chapter 269:17 - Hazing; organizing or participating; hazing defined

MA Chapter 269:18 - Failure to report hazing

MA Chapter 269:19 - Issuance to students and student groups, teams and organizations

 

Harvard's actions

Harvard is committed to fostering a community where no students are impacted by hazing. As part of our commitment, Harvard is proud to be a member of the National Hazing Prevention Consortium and continues to provide educational opportunities for its students, faculty and staff on hazing education and prevention.

See Policies and Prevention & Education for more information.