Hazing Prevention

The University Code of Student Conduct defines hazing in Section VI. Rules and Regulations, K as:

1. Engaging in any act that impacts the mental, emotional, or physical health
   or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation into, admission into,
   affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization or team whose
   members are Rutgers University students.
2. Engaging in any activity that is inconsistent with regulations or policies of
   Rutgers University or laws in the State of New Jersey for the purpose of
   initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in
   any organization or team whose members are Rutgers University students.

Behavior falling into these categories shall be considered hazing regardless of
whether a person is a willing participant.

Additional information regarding the prohibition of hazing within the Greek community can be found in The Office of Student Life & Leadership’s 2019 Fraternity and Sorority Life Manual on pages 8-9. 

On August 24, 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Timothy J. Piazza’s Law (https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2020/PL21/208.PDF).  The new law requires public and non-public middle schools and high schools, as well as higher education institutions, to adopt anti-hazing policies and penalties for violations of the policies.  The law is named for Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State University student who died because of hazing in 2017. More information about Piazza’s Law can be found here:  https://www.nj.gov.governor/news/news/562021/20210824b.shtml

This Anti-Hazing Education program was developed in partnership with the Max Gruver Foundation to educate high school- and college-aged students on the dangers and consequences of hazing. Our materials were composed by a university team and are focused on recognizing and responding to hazing, while presenting real life consequences for poor decisions. A video presentation of the heart-wrenching story of Max Gruver as told by his parents, Steven and Rae Ann, will demonstrate the life shattering costs of hazing. A portion of the proceeds of each course completion is donated to the Max Gruver Foundation. #FlyHighMax  #StopTheHazing

The mission of the Gordie Center is to end hazing and substance misuse among college and high school students nationwide. (gordie.studenthealth.virginia.edu)

A national leader in hazing prevention, HazingPrevention.Org teaches colleges, universities, schools, clubs, teams, and other groups to move beyond punishment to create a culture that stops hazing before it starts. We educate colleges and universities, cheerleading squads, sports teams, the performing arts, clubs, and any other organizations on the dangers of hazing and how to create cultures where hazing is not acceptable.

National Anti-Hazing Hotline 1-888-NOT-HAZE (668-4293)

The Piazza Center’s mission is to uplift fraternity and sorority life. The center produces actionable data to give practitioners, campuses, and headquarters the evidence needed to enact significant change on their campuses for the over 750,000 members across more than 770 campuses with fraternity and sorority life. Contact us to inform your professional practice, assess your fraternity and sorority community, or support new research.

StopHazing’s mission is to promote safe and inclusive school, campus, and organizational environments through research, resource sharing, and the development of data-driven strategies for hazing prevention and the promotion of positive group climates.