Anti-Hazing Information

University of Rochester Anti-Hazing Policy

The University of Rochester defines hazing as follows: Any action taken or situation created, whether on or off University premises, which has the potential to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.

Such activities may include, but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts/scavenger hunts (without the expressed and prior approval of the appropriate director or dean), road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside the confines of any living unit (without the expressed and prior approval of the appropriate director or dean); wearing public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual, or policy, or the regulations and policies of the educational institution.

hazingViolations are reviewed by the Judicial Officer, the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, the Director of Athletics, or other appropriate University official. In sanctioning groups found responsible for hazing, hearing boards are trained to begin sanction discussions with the possibility of revoking the recruitment privileges of such organizations.

More information is available in the University of Rochester Handbook on Student Discipline, available from the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Conduct webpage.

General Information

PDF University of Rochester Anti-Hazing Pamphlet
info Recognizing Hazing
info Hazing Myths
info Why Members Haze

Eliminating Hazing

info New Member Education
info Ideas for Fraternity and Sorority Chapters
info Ways to Stop Hazing
info Helping Others Who Are Hazed

There are several ways to report suspected hazing or suspicious activity:

  • Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs: (585) 275-3167
  • Office of the Dean of Students: (585) 275-4085
  • University Security: (585) 275-3333 (off-campus), or x13 (on-campus)
  • UCC Professional On-Call: (585) 275-3113 or (585) 275-2361
  • University Intercessor: sweetland@intercessor.rochester.edu

In addition, you should contact the Chapter Advocate, Alumni/ae Advisor, and national headquarters, to inform them of the situation and receive guidance.

Internet Resources

Books

  • Robbins, Alexandra. Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities. New York: Hyperion, 2004.
  • Nuwer, Hank. Broken Pledges: The Deadly Rite of Hazing. Atlanta: Longstreet Press, 1990.
  • Nuwer, Hank. Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1999.
  • Wingate, Bob. Hazing: An Anthology of True Hazing Tales. New York: Outbound Press, 1994.
  • Lipkins, Susan. Preventing Hazing: How Parents, Teachers, and Coaches Can Stop the Violence, Harassment, and Humiliation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2006.
  • Wright, Esther. Torn Togas: The Dark Side of Campus Greek Life.  Minneapolis: Fairview   Press, 1996.

Videos

  • Ames, Andrew, et al. Frat Boys. New York, NY: A & E Television Networks, 2003.
  • Schuermann, Pete, and Rob Watt. Tell Me Something I Don't Know A Unique Look at College Binge Drinking. Lexington, KY: International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, 1990s. (available in the OFSA)
  • Fink, Douglas P., et al. PDF Hazing on Trial. Champaign, Illinois: Leadershape Institute, 1985.

120.16. Hazing in the first degree
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, he or she intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such serious injury or death to such person or to a third person.
Hazing in the first degree is a class D felony.

120.17. Hazing in the second degree
A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course of another person's initiation or affiliation with any organization, he or she intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such injury.
Hazing in the second degree is a class E felony. 

120.28. Hazing in the third degree
A person is guilty of hazing in the third degree when, in the course of another person's initiation or affiliation with any organization, he or she intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person.
Hazing in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor.

“I have one question for people who condone hazing: How can you ask someone to join your brotherhood and believe in your rituals when you don’t honor your brotherhood and your rituals? I have never heard of any fraternity history where the original founding fathers forced someone to consume alcohol in order for them to join their organization. For something that was once considered honorable and sacred, why do we now stoop to hazing today?”
- Jeremy Zilmer
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
University of Wyoming