Hazing

What is Hazing?

There are numerous definitions of hazing from various states, organizations, and fields. For many people, this can be very confusing and frustrating as most definitions are written almost exclusively for legal purposes.

Drexel University's Definition of Hazing

Regardless of the individual's willingness to participate, hazing is any action taken or situation created involving new or returning organization/group members as a part of joining, maintaining membership, or holding office in that organization that meets any or all of the following:

Violates state or federal law
Humiliates or degrades and individual or group
Intentionally or unintentionally endangers an individual — mentally, physically, or emotionally

More information about Drexel's Hazing Policy can be found in Student Life's Anti-Hazing Policy.

On a basic level, hazing is any number of things that create an unhealthy transition of new members into an organization. Hazing leads to dysfunction within the organization and is ineffective at creating teamwork, respect, and unity. It is less important to define or label an activity as hazing or not than it is to remove ineffective and harmful elements from the new member/teammate processes. If a healthy team or organization is being created and the values and purpose of the organization are being upheld, chances are the organization will not have to worry about whether or not an activity is hazing.

Questions to Ask Yourself to Determine if an Activity/Transition Process Might Be Unhealthy or Even Hazing

Would I do this out in public? In front of my parents? The University president? For the local news or the school paper?
Is this required of all members or just new ones? Are expectations of current members less than those of new members?
What happens if it is not completed by a new member or a current member? Are the consequences more severe for the new member?
What is the purpose of this activity? Is it in line with the purpose of the group? Is it the most effective way to achieve this outcome?
Does this separate the new members from the rest of the group or make them feel less important?
Could this be potentially harmful?
Would I ask a member of my family, such as a younger brother or sister, to be a part of this?
Does this process truly prepare the new member for what they need to know to be a part of the organization?

Hazing Reports and Information

Annual hazing statistics are available in the Annual Security Report. Information on Drexel's Hazing policy can be found in Student Life's Anti-Hazing Policy. Applicable laws on Hazing include: Pennsylvania's Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law and the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act.

Information about student organizations that are responsible for a hazing violation can be found in the Act 80 of 2018 and Campus Hazing Transparency Report [PDF].

Hazing Prevention

Hazing Prevention Week is held annually to raise awareness of the negative effects of hazing, and to provide Drexel community members with the opportunity to come together for fun activities and promote camaraderie in a healthy environment. These events focus on hazing awareness, the risks of hazing, and how to build community without hazing.

Reporting Hazing

For Concerns Related to Students And/or Student Organizations

Conduct and Community Standards
30 N. 33rd Street Rush Building
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Anonymous Report Form
215.895.2506
studentconduct@drexel.edu

For Concerns Related to Visitors, Non-Employees, and Third Parties

Department of Public Safety
3201 Arch Street, Suite 350
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Hotline: Call 215.895.2222 or access the anonymous Crime Tipline.
215.895.2822

For Concerns Related to Employees

Human Resources
3201 Arch St, Suite 430
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.895.2850
hr@drexel.edu

For Any and All Other Hazing Concerns

Compliance Program Services
compliance@drexel.edu

Drexel Compliance Hotline
The Drexel Compliance Hotline is available for anyone to report allegations of suspected or known improper conduct, including doing so anonymously.
drexel.ethicspoint.com
866.358.1010