Participation in student organizations should be a positive experience that focuses on organizational growth and creating a sense of belonging and connection among members. We want all students to promote the creation of a community that cares and supports one another. To that end, we encourage all students to support each other in identifying anything that may be hazing, or any behavior that may interfere with a positive organization experience.
Any conduct or threats of conduct that subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically, to anything that may endanger, abuse, degrade, or intimidate the person as a condition of association with a team, group or organization, regardless of the person’s consent or lack of consent. This behavior includes, but is not limited to, direct or indirect written, verbal, physical or electronic actions or inactions. Both individual students and student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, may be disciplined for acts of hazing.
80%of IU students agree that hazing is not an effective way to create bonding on campus.
95%of IU students believe they do not need to be hazed to belong to a group.
86%of IU students believe there is not good reason to haze new members of a group.
Data sourced from 2023 Indiana University campus survey.
Hazing is strictly forbidden at Indiana University. If you have experienced hazing, witnessed hazing, or suspect that someone you know has been hazed, you are not alone. View some common examples of hazing below.
The Spectrum of Hazing™ is a research-based resource developed by StopHazing researchers, Dr. Elizabeth Allan & Dr. Dave Kerschner. It outlines three categories of hazing behavior (intimidation, harassment, and violence). See below for examples falling into each category.
Guidance or rule, whether required or suggested, that limits, binds, and/or impedes a member’s ability to function such as blindfolding, dictating who members can and cannot speak to, etc.
New or potential members being forced to participate in tasks or duties such as cleaning, driving, serving as event monitors more often than other members, surrendering personal items, or fundraising.
Any guidelines, rule, or required behavior that is intended to embarrass, mock, chastise, and/or diminish a member as a condition of membership, such as requiring new members to wear specific clothing or carry items, shaming, yelling, or name-calling.
Activities or behaviors that impact a student’s ability to be successful in their academic progress, such as requiring students to miss class to attend an organization event or meeting, completing academic work for others, and/or modifying their routine so they miss class or are unable to complete their schoolwork.
Activities performed for the benefit of initiated members and/or groups of members such as wake-up calls, driving members, running errands, purchasing food, and cleaning.
Requiring new members or potential members to participate in behaviors that may include, but are not limited to, running, wall-sits, push-ups, sit-ups, and/or standing for periods of time.
Being forced to drive in the middle of the night, stay somewhere until the early hours of the morning, or adjust their schedule in ways that are unreasonable, negatively impacts their health, or impedes their academics.
Being forced to eat food, consume drinks or beverages including but not limited to alcohol, inhale, snort, or insert any substance.
Any guideline, rule, or required behavior that negatively impacts a member’s mental and/or emotional state such as isolation, sleep deprivation, being yelled at, etc.
Hitting, slapping, punching, pushing, paddling, or throwing items at an individual.
Forcing someone to engage in sexual activity, participate in harassment, or watch sexually explicit acts.
Verbal and/or non-verbal behaviors that cause new members or potential members to be afraid for their personal health, safety, or well-being, such as requiring someone to do something followed by a threat of harm or removal of membership.
If you or someone you know experiences hazing, you have options.
Indiana University takes all reports of hazing seriously. The Office of Student Conduct reviews all reports to assess potential next steps, including interim action, investigation, and case resolution options. Organizations will be held accountable if found responsible for hazing activities, which could include suspension from the university.
You can submit an anonymous report for review using the form below.
Our hazing workshop, Hoosiers Not Hazers, uses healthy relationship-building as a foundation for engaging students in discussions surrounding hazing prevention, as well as IU policies governing hazing prevention and response.
Organizations may be eligible for organizational amnesty related to hazing behaviors if swift action is taken to stop the behaviors, no medical attention is needed, alcohol and/or drugs are not involved, and measures are put in place to prevent such behaviors from occurring again. The expectation for organizations utilizing this policy is that they ensure immediate care for a student in need, self-report this incident to the Office of Student Conduct and provide complete and truthful information about the situation. Prior hazing incidents, reported by organizational leadership in an effort to seek help from the university and to actively change or remedy the organization’s culture, may be considered for amnesty under this policy or other alternative resolution processes at the Dean of Students' discretion.
