Hazing Prevention and Education | Student Conduct - Division of Student Affairs

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, encourages students to get involved in all aspects of campus life. Student organizations, leadership programs, student employment, and attending major campus events are just a few of the thousands of opportunities available at Rutgers. Rutgers is committed to creating a secure and positive environment in which students can safely participate in organizations without being subjected to the dangers of hazing. The University prohibits hazing and works to prevent and will take action to appropriately investigate and address all incidents of hazing involving members of the campus community. Rutgers also reminds all community members about our obligations to care for our students by doing all we can to prevent hazing on campus.

Rutgers Policies Prohibiting Hazing

Hazing is illegal and prohibited under the University Code of Student Conduct.

Hazing comes in many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, and financial.

Hazing is defined by the University as acts associated with the membership initiation process into a student or fraternal organization (including but not limited to membership at the undergraduate or graduate/alumni level, and sports), and the university also is aware of the federal and state law which include definitions of hazing. The university complies with all applicable laws. For purposes of university reporting in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, the university will use the federal law definition of hazing.

A. Code of Student Conduct

The University Code of Student Conduct (the Code) expressly prohibits hazing. The Code defines hazing as:

Engaging in any act that impacts the mental, emotional, or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization or team whose
members are Rutgers University students.
Engaging in any activity that is inconsistent with regulations or policies of Rutgers University or laws in the State of New Jersey for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization or team whose members are Rutgers University students.

Rutgers University investigates every allegation of hazing. Any student found responsible for committing, attempting to commit, or assisting others in committing an act of hazing shall be subject to sanctioning under the Code of Student Conduct. Disciplinary actions can include removal from the University or termination of university employment.

B. Standards of Conduct: Student Organization Policies & Procedures

Student organizations that choose to be recognized by the University must comply with the rights and responsibilities outlined in the Rutgers University Standards of Conduct: Student Organization Policies and Procedures. This policy expressly prohibits hazing and details the investigation and disciplinary processes for alleged violations.

C. Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs Anti-Hazing Policy

Information regarding the prohibition of hazing specifically within the Greek community can be found here: Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Hazing Policy.

Timothy J. Piazza’s Law: New Jersey’s Anti-Hazing Law

Individuals and organizations are also subject to criminal prosecution by the State of New Jersey. The Timothy J Piazza’s Law, passed on August 24, 2021, required penalties for hazing on campus and criminally. The law updated the criminal definition of hazing in New Jersey and made certain hazing activities third- or fourth-degree crimes.

Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA)

In December 2024, the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) was signed into law, which requires all colleges and universities that receive federal funding to track and publicly disclose hazing incidents in their annual security reports beginning in 2025. Rutgers has begun collecting hazing information and will publish this information in the 2025 Safety Matters, our Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which will be released in October 2026. In accordance with the SCHA, the university also will publish and regularly update a Campus Hazing Transparency Report and provide hazing prevention awareness programming.

How to Recognize and Report Hazing

If you believe that you, or someone else, is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

The University strongly encourages students to seek medical assistance for themselves or for anyone else who is dangerously under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Learn more about the medical amnesty policy.

It is important for others to act and prevent hazing by:

Learning to recognize hazing and reporting what you see. Does someone’s behavior seem different? Are they falling asleep in class? Are they bruised? Are they never around? Do they need money to buy things for their “big brother”?
Resisting anyone who encourages you to join hazing activities. If something seems like hazing, it probably is. If there are conditions put on someone becoming part of your group, it is probably not something you want to be a part of.
Notifying police and appropriate University staff if you are aware of a potential incident. Hazing is a potential crime. It is also potentially dangerous to everyone involved. Too often we have seen small incidents escalate into something larger and more lethal. If you see something that looks like an incident, report it.

Rutgers University encourages anyone who believes they are being hazed, or who otherwise has knowledge of a hazing incident, to report the incident to the Office of Student Conduct. Reports can be submitted using the Online Reporting Form. When submitting the report, please be as detailed as possible and include any supporting information where applicable (photos, screenshots, recordings, names, etc). The University will maintain confidentiality to the extent possible, to protect those who expose acts of hazing. Reports can also be emailed to studentconduct@echo.rutgers.edu. Reports or concerns of hazing can also be submitted anonymously 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-783-8442 or through the Rutgers Compliance Helpline.

Incidents can also be reported to the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) at 732-932-7111. Additional information and resources for reporting can be found here: Report a Concern.

Individuals can also call the National Anti-Hazing Hotline 1-888-NOT-HAZE (668-4293)

Resources and Education

Rutgers University encourages all community members to educate themselves on hazing prevention and makes resources available. Various student organizations at Rutgers utilizes hazing prevention education, training and resources.

All participants in sport clubs formally acknowledge their understanding of the anti-hazing policies, and a representative of every club team is required to attend specialized hazing prevention training. Similarly, all student-athletes within the Division of Athletics receive anti-hazing information and must affirm their commitment to adhere to specified guidelines.

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs mandates that anyone registering to join an organization complete a hazing acknowledgment statement. Chapter leadership receives targeted training and messaging regarding the hazing policy and must submit a Hazing Compliance Form at the start of each academic year. Additionally, chapter leadership is required to review the hazing policy with all chapter members at the beginning of the year and with any potential new members during the new member education period. All members annually review the "Hazing Awareness and Prevention for Students" video, created and provided by Vector Solutions, to reinforce their understanding of these policies.

The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance offers bystander intervention training to help students step up and intervene when they are witnessing hazing or other harmful behaviors on campus.

Rutgers University New Brunswick will be joining the next cohort in the Hazing Prevention Consortium, multi-year research to practice initiative to support colleges and universities in campus-wide hazing prevention. The consortium uses evidence-based practices for hazing prevention, using the Hazing Prevention Framework.

Resources from the Hazing Prevention Network, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering people to prevent hazing are available to student organizations. Their goal is to educate people about the dangers of hazing, advocate for change, and engage the community in strategies to prevent hazing. They offer resources for colleges and college students regarding hazing prevention and education.

The Anti-Hazing Education program was developed in partnership with the Max Gruver Foundation in an effort to educate high school- and college-aged students on the dangers and consequences of hazing. The materials focus on recognizing and responding to hazing, while presenting real-life consequences for poor decisions.

Materials from the Gordie Center focus on ending hazing and substance misuse among college and high school students nationwide, are available. The Gordie Center offers numerous resources for hazing prevention and education.

The Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research is a multidisciplinary research facility dedicated to addressing issues within the Greek-letter community and, in part, produces actionable data to give practitioners, campuses, and headquarters the evidence needed to enact significant change on their campuses.

Investigative Procedures for Student Organizations:
An investigation is triggered when a report of hazing is received. The organization receives an interim action letter outlining temporary limitations during the investigation. An investigation is undertaken. Thereafter, an Organization Administrative Conference takes place and the organization receives an outcome letter. Depending on the findings, the organization is advised of the outcome and, as applicable, any next steps.

Investigative Procedures for Individuals:

An investigation is initiated upon receipt of a complaint. The responding student and complainant are provided with written notice of meeting time(s), their rights and responsibilities, a list of Campus Advisors, and other relevant information. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Conduct Officer communicates the outcome in writing, including any charges, findings, and sanctions, as appropriate.

Rutgers—New Brunswick Reports on Student Organization Misconduct

Additionally, colleges and universities are required to publicly post information about hazing incidents on campus. Statistics on student organization conduct are posted on the Office of Student Conduct website. Reports for the past five years are currently being updated and will be posted here:

https://studentconduct.rutgers.edu/about-us/student-organization-statistics