Prevent Hazing

Get the Facts

We know that:
- In 95% of hazing cases, students who were aware they were hazed did not report it.
- In 25% of hazing cases, coaches or advisors who were aware of hazing incidents did not report them.
- For every 10 students being hazed, only one of them realizes that they have been hazed.
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First, ask yourself … could it be hazing?

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What is Hazing?

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  • Did the incident involve physical abuse?
  • Sleep deprivation, physical strain, hitting/slapping?
  • Was alcohol consumed? Drugs?
  • Would the student be willing to describe the event to the President or in a public forum?
  • Was safety at risk? Could it have been?
  • Was there an injury?
  • Is there the possibility of psychological effects from the event?
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The Spectrum of Hazing™

The Spectrum of Hazing Recognition
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Hazing Recognition Spectrum Diagram

Intimidation

Low Recognition/High Frequency

  • Deception
  • Assignment of demerits
  • Silence periods with implied threats for violation
  • Social isolation of new members
  • Use of demeaning names
  • Expecting certain items to always be in one's possession

Harassment

Mid Recognition/Mid Frequency

  • Verbal abuse
  • Threats or implied threats
  • Asking new members to wear embarrassing attire
  • Skit nights with degrading or humiliating acts
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Sexual simulations

Violence

High Recognition/Low Frequency

  • Forced alcohol or drug consumption
  • Beating, paddling, or other forms of physical assault
  • Branding
  • Forced ingestion of vile substances
  • Water intoxication
  • Abduction/kidnapping
  • Sexual assault
The Spectrum of Hazing Frequency
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The Spectrum of Hazing Frequency Diagram

Stop HazingThe Spectrum of Hazing™ | StopHazing | Hazing Prevention Resource

Allan, 2005; Allan & Kerschner, 2020; Adapted from Bringing in the Bystander® 

Learn More

Hazing Policies

Student Code on Hazing

Hazing: 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 (1) committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and (2)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 but not limited to: (A) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone's body, or similar activity; (B) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity; (C) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances; (D) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; (E) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;(F) personal servitude; (G) degrading or humiliating activities; (H) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, state, or federal law; and (I) any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, state, or federal law.

State of Illinois Law, Hazing Act

Sec. 5. Hazing. A person commits hazing who knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State, for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution if:

  1. the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution; and
  2. the act results in bodily harm to any person.

How to Report

If someone is injured or doing something illegal, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait, this action could save someone’s life.

How to report at the University of Illinois:

  • Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR): This unit is responsible for all investigations and adjudication of violations of the Student Code of Conduct. How to report something to OSCR.
  • Fraternity and Sorority Affairs (FSA): Our office can take initial complaints regarding concerns over hazing. Any information collected by our staff will be reported to OSCR for them to conduct a formal investigation. Contact the FSA office.
  • University of Illinois Police: You can report items to the police.

How is Hazing Investigated?

When the Office for Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) receives a report of hazing, the director of OSCR evaluates that report to determine whether the allegation, if substantiated, would constitute a violation of the Student Code. If so, the complaint is assigned to an investigator within OSCR  and a notice of allegation will be prepared and sent as applicable to identified students and/or the leadership of the registered student organization (RSO). The students/leadership will meet with the investigator to learn of the scope of the complaint and the process steps. The investigator will attempt to gather as much information and witness statements as possible through interviews and collection of relevant data. For more details, including due process rights afforded individuals and groups, refer to the Student Disciplinary Procedures, and more specifically, procedures for allegations against students and procedures for allegations against RSOs.

Reporting hazing EXTERNALLY:

It is important to know that any of the following methods of reporting hazing IS NOT considered reporting to the University of Illinois. This external reporting system does not ensure that the University of Illinois will be notified. If you would like the University of Illinois to investigate your concern then you should report to either the Office for Student Conflict Resolution, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, or the UI Police Department.

Anti-Hazing Resources

On Campus Resources:

External Resources:

Hazing Prevention 101 Online Course

We are excited to introduce new course modules on hazing for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students:

Hazing Prevention 101™ Course is a one-hour awareness course educating students on recognizing, preventing, and reporting hazing. The real-life scenarios prepare students, group members, and bystanders to make informed decisions, ultimately empowering them to prevent hazing.

The Fraternity & Sorority Life Module extends the prerequisite course, Hazing Prevention 101™ Course, designed for university students in fraternities and sororities. This 30-minute module dives deeper into the specific needs of fraternity and sorority life.

The Athletics Module extends the prerequisite course, Hazing Prevention 101™ Course, designed for student-athletes. This 30-minute module explores student-athletes' specific needs more deeply.

The Creative & Performing Arts Module extends the prerequisite course, Hazing Prevention 101™ Course. This 30-minute module provides college students in the creative and performing arts with information on reporting and preventing hazing and offers alternatives to developing a group dynamic.

Course access:

  1. Log in at https://illinois.prevent.zone/ with your university credentials
  2. Click “Hazing Prevention 101™ Course – College Edition” from the Home tab
  3. Start with the first activity in the course

Technical requirements:

  • Reliable internet connectivity
  • Audio-capable device
  • Any modern browser (Firefox users may need to adjust settings to allow audio and video)

Save and print the certificate of completion — this is your record of completing the course.

Need help? Please access the Support link at the top of the site.

Thank you for taking this vital step toward protecting yourself and others from the dangers of hazing!