- Behavior that is emotionally or psychologically abusive, humiliating or demeaning.
- Physical abuse, e.g., whipping, paddling, beating, tattooing, branding and exposure to the elements, or the threat of such behaviors.
- Ingestion of alcohol, food, drugs or any undesirable substance.
- Participation in sexual rituals or assaults.
- Kidnaps, road trips, etc., which are conducted in a manner that endangers the health or safety of an individual.
- Sleep deprivation, acts of servitude, isolation and expecting certain items to always be in one’s possession.
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Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 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 appropriately investigate and address all incidents of hazing involving members of the campus community.
Hazing is illegal and prohibited under the University Code of Student Conduct and comes in many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, and financial. The University defines hazing 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)”. Hazing happens in many different places and settings. Incidents of hazing occur in many types of clubs, organizations and teams (Source: https://stophazing.org/issue/).
Report a Hazing Concern
To report a hazing concern, select your campus below.
Campus Resources
To gain access to resources, select your campus below.
Individual Harm
Simply put, hazing victimizes people. In whatever form it’s encountered—from obviously degrading to seemingly benign—hazing is abusive, potentially life-threatening and has long-term consequences. Like other forms of abuse, hazing fosters hurt and feelings of betrayal, NOT the sense of unity, camaraderie or tradition that groups who engage in hazing often use to justify the exercise of power and control over others.
Group Harm
Groups that add new members normally do so out of a desire to strengthen the group, grow membership and improve the overall experience of group members. Hazing may provide an increased perception of the value of membership because of the “cost” of joining, but it negatively impacts new members’ ability to contribute positively and undermines overall group cohesion.
Penalties
Hazing is against campus policy and NJ state law, and a range of penalties may be applied to both organizations and individuals who are found to have engaged in acts of hazing. Penalties may include loss of registration as a student organization and other disciplinary measures in accordance with Rutgers policies and state law.
Stop Campus Hazing Act
In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Rutgers will publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report which will include all findings of violations of the institution’s definition of hazing from the past five (5) consecutive years. Reports of hazing that did not result in a finding of responsibility are not included. Any student organization under active investigation will not appear on the Campus Hazing Transparency Report.
Beginning October 2026, all statistics for hazing incidents that were reported to campus security authorities or local law enforcement, as defined by Stop Campus Hazing Act, will be included in our Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
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. In accordance with the SCHA, the university also will publish and regularly update a Campus Hazing Transparency Report and provide hazing prevention awareness programming.