Hazing Prevention

Northeastern University is committed to promoting a safe and healthy environment for all members of the community and to preventing hazing before it occurs.

Participating in student organizations or groups is an important part of your Northeastern University experience. However, no group or individual should be physically or emotionally at risk in order to participate in, or become a member of, an organization or group.

Northeastern University prohibits hazing behaviors within its community, as hazing is a serious and often hidden experience some students face. Our community is dedicated to helping students find resources and support, while holding organizations, groups and individuals responsible/accountable for such dangerous behaviors. Hazing is not only a violation of Northeastern University policies, but is also against the Massachusetts State Law, and does not offer a healthy, safe and welcoming environment for community members. This policy applies to all members of the University faculty, staff and students. It applies to on- and off-campus behavior.

For a review of hazing cases and outcomes, please use this link to view the Northeastern University Transparency Report: https://cm.maxient.com/chtr.php?NortheasternUniv

Hazing Policy

Violation of the university’s Policy Prohibiting Hazing (https://policies.northeastern.edu/policy606/), which includes any action taken or situation created, whether voluntary or involuntary, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student; creates risk of injury; causes mental or physical fatigue or distress, discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, ridicule, or intimidation; causes damage to or destruction of property; or which is a violation of law, university policy, or the Code of Student Conduct. Such activities include but are not limited to striking another student by hand or with any instrument; requiring or advocating alcohol or other drug use; late sessions/ meetings that interfere with academic activities; tattooing, branding, or piercing; physical or psychological shocks; wearing of apparel in public that is embarrassing, humiliating, or degrading; or games/activities causing or resulting in fatigue, sleep deprivation, mental distress, panic, embarrassment, or humiliation. Activities that generally would not be considered hazing include agreeing to maintain a specific GPA, comply with a dress code for a team/organizational function, participate in volunteer community service, participate in a team/organizational trip, take an oath, or sign a contract of standards. Note: While some behaviors constitute hazing regardless of context (e.g., paddling, use of alcohol), others depend on the circumstances. For example, requiring athletes to perform normal calisthenics as part of conditioning would not be hazing, but requiring new members of a nonathletic student organization to do push-ups in the middle of the night would constitute hazing. Hazing can result in a range of sanctions against organizations/teams and/or individuals that range from educational interventions to suspension or expulsion. A nonexhaustive list by category is shown below to detail further examples of conduct that could be deemed hazing:

Sexualized or Inappropriate Acts
• Sexual simulations
• Forced or coerced sexual acts
• Requiring participation in lewd conduct
• Compromising or degrading situations involving nudity or sexuality

Forced Servitude/Errand Running
• Personal errands or acts of servitude (e.g., forced cleaning, carrying books, fetching food)
• Assignment of duties not assigned to other members

Coerced Financial Expenses
• Requiring the purchase of items or services
• Financial exploitation or excessive dues under threat of social exclusion

Verbal Abuse and Degrading Language
• Verbal abuse, name-calling, or degrading, threatening language

Coercing Illegal Activity
• Theft, trespassing, vandalism

Mental Abuse
• Social isolation
• Forced silence or blindfolding for extended periods
• Creating fear through mock interrogations or rituals

Others
• Consumption of unpalatable substances or palatable substances to excess
• Engage in acts relevant to those of the group (for example, practice or training activities), but in a manner that a reasonable person would consider excessive or dangerous
• Is known to be contrary to a prospective or new member’s moral or religious belief
• Requiring situationally inappropriate attire
• Kidnapping

Northeastern University Athletics Statement on Hazing

“Northeastern Athletics strives for high achievement both in competition and in the classroom. Through dedication to our core values, we support the University’s mission of educating students for a life of fulfillment and accomplishment and the ability to create and translate knowledge to meet global and societal needs. Accordingly, hazing has no place in our community and will not be tolerated. Northeastern Athletics, through its coaches, student-athletes, and administrators, is committed to working together to eradicate any culture of hazing.”

Reporting

If you believe that you or someone you know is experiencing behaviors/activities that could be considered hazing, you should report the incident in order to prevent continued and/or future behaviors from occurring. You can report alleged occurrences of hazing behaviors to any staff or administration at Northeastern University.

It is best to file an official report with Northeastern University so an official investigation can take place to collect more information regarding the behaviors.

What happens when a report is submitted?

When an official report of alleged hazing behaviors is submitted, the Director in the Office of Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR), or designee, reviews the report to determine if the alleged incident is serious enough to warrant an official investigation to gather additional information about the incident. If the Director determines that an investigation is necessary, the Hazing Prevention Task Force(HPTF) will be notified, and the chair will coordinate the investigation.

In an investigation, administrators, faculty and/or staff will serve as investigators and meet with members of the organization in question to gather information. After the investigation, a the chair of the HPTF will present the findings from the investigation to staff in the Center for Student Involvement, and the two will determine if an official hearing is required to resolve the allegations. Depending on the group in question, the case will be resolved through one of the following methods:

Student Conduct Board (SCB)
Interfraternity Council (IFC) Standards Board
Panhellenic Council (Panhel) Standards Board
Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) Standards Board

All Board hearings involve the report as the basis of the charge and require at least one member, and no more than two, of the group to represent the group, provide an explanation of the incident, answer questions of the Board, and respond to the charges. Group representatives can reach out to faculty/staff, alumni, or hearing advisors to assist in preparing for the hearing. In addition, this advisor can accompany the group representative to the Board hearing.

Campus Education and Programming

This section is currently in develoment. We will be outlining all trainings and educational efforts to help our community recognize hazing and how to address concerns.

Who May Be Affected by Hazing?

Any Northeastern University student that is a part of a group that has two or more people could be affected by hazing. Hazing can be facilitated by students, faculty, or staff.

Want to read more about who is affected by hazing? Myths vs. Facts

Members & Prospective Members

If you think you, or someone in the Northeastern University community, are experiencing or participating in a hazing behavior and/or activity ask these questions.

Are these behaviors/activities supposed to be secret?
Do these behaviors/activities involve anything illegal?
Do these behaviors/activities cause anyone to feel embarrassed?
Does participation in this activity violate one’s values or those of the organization?
Does this behavior/activity cause emotional or physical distress or harm?
Is this behavior/activity against my co-op’s policies?
Is this behavior/activity against the Code of Student Conduct or state or federal law?
Would I feel comfortable participating in this behavior/activity if my parents or family were watching?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, report it.

Read more here, Hazing in View: College Students at Risk.

Parents & Families

Parents and families are an important part of the college experience. If you believe that your student, or someone else from the Northeastern University community is experiencing hazing behaviors, you should report the incident to the Office for Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.

Here are a few tips for talking with your student about hazing:

Encourage them to research the organizations they are interested in joining to ensure a safe and welcoming community.
Encourage your student to maintain friendships across multiple settings, not just in one particular team/organization.
Ask your student about their experiences and how they are feeling after they join a team/organization.
Talk about how the impacts of hazing can be dangerous.
Encourage your student to report instances of potential hazing.

If you’re concerned about your student contact us or make a report.

Get Involved

Do you want to get involved with hazing prevention at Northeastern University?
Are you interested in becoming a member of Northeastern University’s Hazing Prevention Task Force?
Do you have a programming idea?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions click here to explain your interest and a member of the Task Force will contact you.

Resources

Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution
Northeastern Police Department
Stop Hazing
Alternatives to Hazing
Massachusetts State Law

*Please note: OSCCR does not testify to, sponsor, or endorse any information provided on any externally linked page. OSCCR provides the links above for your information and for the benefit of the Northeastern community.

Contact Us

Office Hours

Monday: 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30-5:00 p.m.

***After hours available by appointment***

Phone
617.373.4390

Email
osccr@northeastern.edu

Location
204 Ell Hall

Microsoft Teams or Zoom appointments available

Incident Report Quick Links

How to Report an Incident

Report an Incident to OSCCR

Academic Integrity Report Form

Have you or someone you know been affected by Sexual Violence? Click Here for resources and information.

To report a bias related incident, please review Northeastern University’s Bias Incident Report Protocol.