What is hazing?
Section 102.12 of the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students, prohibits and defines hazing:
Participation in hazing or any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a campus organization or other activity engaged in by the organization or members of the organization at any time that causes, or is likely to cause, physical injury or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in psychological harm to any student or other person.
In addition, engaging in hazing is against California state law (For the full text, see Section 245.6 of the California State Penal Code). In August 2006, Matt's Law was passed by the California state legislature, moving hazing from the Education Code to the Penal Code, making it a crime to engage in hazing. Matt's Law was named after Matt Carrington, a 21 year old Chico State University student who died on February 2, 2005 of water intoxication which occurred because of a hazing incident.
The legal consequences of hazing include:
- a criminal record of any guilty verdicts related to the incident
- financial penalties
- imprisonment for hazing which meets the guidelines for a felony
Also, a victim of hazing may sue participants (including individuals or organizations who knew about the hazing and had the power to, but failed to stop it) for civil damages.
What can be done about hazing?
The most important step is to report hazing to someone who can affect change. UCR students can report hazing to:
What campus resources are available to assist me in regards to hazing?
- Staff at any of the above reporting locations are available to consult with students who have concerns and to receive reports about possible incidents of hazing.
- The Student Development Educator in the AVC/Dean of Students office is available to assist with concerns and resources in regards to hazing.
- Student Life staff are available to assist student organizations in developing their membership recruitment and education processes. They can also discuss specific concerns regarding organizational practices.
- Golden ARCHES and R.E.A.C.H. can provide education.
- Residence Life staff such as Resident Directors, Resident Advisors, Programming Coordinators, etc.
- The Counseling Center is a place where you can confidentially discuss your concerns and seek emotional support.
- The Campus Health Center staff are available to assist with medical needs which may result from hazing incidents.
Where can I learn more about hazing?
- Download the attached educational brochure here--> Front and Back.
- Golden ARCHES and R.E.A.C.H. are peer mentoring/education groups at UCR who work to educate students on issues surrounding hazing.
- National Hazing Prevention Week, sponsored by Campusspeak, is a yearly campaign to assist people in understanding and taking a stance against hazing.
- StopHazing.org has articles, resource lists, information about types of hazing, and recommendations on how to create change in regards to hazing practices.
- "Inside Hazing" talks about hazardous hazing, has an archive of hazing incidents, resource lists, and video presentations.
- HazingStudy.org discusses the results of a national pilot survey regarding hazing and how how it occurs.
- The Alfred Study discusses the results of a study of hazing and its impact at the high school level.
- The "National Survey of Sports Teams" was also conducted by Alfred University, however it centered around hazing in athletics.
- NCAA Hazing Prevention Resources site provides links to resources already provided here plus best practices for hazing prevention in relation to athletics.
- Myths & Facts about hazing
- Alternatives to hazing
- Warning Signs and what to do