Hazing

Overview

The purpose of this policy is to prevent hazing in all forms, promote the safety and well-being of students, and affirm the institution’s commitment to a respectful and inclusive campus environment.

Hazing (defined below) is a serious infraction of Duke University regulations and federal and/or state law. Duke University is committed to providing a safe educational environment for all students and does not tolerate hazing by any group or individual affiliated with the University.

Hazing often arises during a student’s initiation into an organization, such as a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, sports club, or covered society, where a perceived or actual power differential exists between current and new members. A student organization is formed when at least two currently enrolled Duke University students engage in organized gatherings and communications around shared interests, regardless of whether the student organization is registered and/or recognized by the university.

As required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Duke University will collect statistics on hazing incidents, which will be published within the Campus Hazing Transparency Report. This report will include all data points gathered, such as the date the investigation was initiated, the date the investigation concluded, the date the student organization was notified that a hazing violation occurred, and the outcomes each student organization received. The Campus Hazing Transparency Report is published annually to the campus community.

Policy

The University defines Hazing as any intentional or reckless situation created, whether on or off university premises, that is potentially harmful to an individual’s physical, emotional, or psychological well-being, regardless of an individual’s willingness to participate or its relevance to the individual’s membership status in a recognized or unrecognized student organization.

Hazing may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Criminal and Threatening Behavior
    • Any conduct that constitutes a criminal violation of local, state, tribal, or federal law
    • Threatening words or actions that cause a person to fear reasonable bodily harm
  • Physical Abuse and Endangerment
    • Forced standing for extended periods or marching in formation
    • Extreme physical exertion or calisthenics
  • Coerced or Forced Consumption
    • Coercing, restricting, or forcing the consumption of food, solids, liquids, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
  • Sleep and Sensory Deprivation
    • Sleep deprivation or interruption of consecutive sleep hours
    • Exposure to the elements (e.g., cold, heat, rain) as punishment or initiation
  • Psychological and Emotional Abuse
    • Blindfolding
    • Acts of humiliation or degradation (e.g., streaking, wearing degrading or inappropriate apparel)
  • Social, Academic, and Care Disruption
    • Interfering with academic performance or classroom instruction
    • Disruption of academic or extracurricular commitments
  • Sexual Coercion and Harassment
    • Forcing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts
    • Subjecting others to compromising or sexually explicit situations
  • Additional Prohibited Practices
    • Activities that, by their time, place, or manner, would not typically constitute hazing but are rendered inappropriate due to the context or intent
    • Organizing or requiring unauthorized "road trips"

How to Report Concerning Hazing Activities?

Acts or potential acts of hazing can be reported in the following ways:

Concerns may be reported anonymously. However, by maintaining the anonymity of the source, the university will be limited in the extent of action it can take against any alleged respondent (s).

Conduct Process for Hazing Allegations

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards staff and/or designee(s) will gather information regarding all alleged incidents (including hazing) to determine the appropriate means of resolution. Investigations may involve interviews, a review of related documents, requests for written statements from individuals involved, and an examination of electronically available materials. Students and student organizations are encouraged to participate fully and provide detailed, forthright information during an investigation, though they may choose how much to share. Cases may be closed due to insufficient information or referred for an Administrative Conference, Adaptable Resolution, or disciplinary action.

The university strongly encourages full participation in all aspects of the conduct process. If a student or student organization chooses not to engage, such as by failing to submit a written statement or attend a scheduled meeting, the hearing officer or hearing body may proceed in their absence. Any outcomes determined during the hearing will still apply. For a case to initiate disciplinary action (e.g., an Administrative or Conduct Board Hearing), there must be sufficient information suggesting a potential policy violation and possible responsibility by the student or student organization. Those found responsible for hazing or other violations will face sanctions as outlined in the Duke Community Standard and other university policies. Sanctions are determined based on the severity of the violation and any prior disciplinary history.

 

 

Last Revised

May 30, 2025