Hazing as a Code of Conduct Violation

Elon University (the “University”) prohibits hazing and any conduct that aids, abets, assists, or supports hazing. Hazing is a serious violation of the University’s Code of Conduct as well as federal and state law. The purpose of this policy is to prevent hazing in all forms, promote the safety and well-being of the University’s students, and affirm the University’s commitment to a respectful and inclusive campus environment.

Hazing

The University defines hazing broadly to include any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether on or off campus (committed individually or in concert with others) 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. This includes, but is not limited to acts that:

  • are committed as part of initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a student group; and
  • causes or creates a risk of causing physical, emotional, or psychological injury.

Hazing often results from a power imbalance between members of a group, organization, or team. Hazing due to this imbalance can impact any member of the group, organization, or team, regardless of status. Hazing can take place in various forms, including Subtle or Intimidation Hazing, Harassment Hazing, and/or Violent Hazing.

  • Subtle or Intimidation hazing – behaviors that are based on a power imbalance; may involve activities that ridicule, embarrass, humiliate, or interfere with academic progress or other educational experiences.
  • Harassment hazing – behaviors that cause emotional distress, mental anguish, or physical discomfort in order to feel like a part of the group; or confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress.
  • Violent hazing – behaviors that cause, or have the potential to cause, physical, emotional, or psychological harm.

Examples of Hazing Activities

A non-comprehensive list of examples of conduct that could be considered hazing includes the following:

  • Required periods of silence, deprivation of privileges, social isolation, name-calling, assignment of duties not assigned to other members, including event preparation and/or clean up, driving requirements, and similar obligations or assignments.
  • Sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, extreme calisthenics, verbal abuse, threats or implied threats, sexual simulations or nudity, requiring situationally inappropriate attire or changes to physical appearance, such as the cutting of hair, wearing makeup or markers, or other alterations, or threats of such activities.
  • Assault, paddling, branding, tattooing, or other forms of battery, forced consumption of drugs, alcohol, or any other substance, forced or coerced sexual acts, bondage, kidnapping, forcing or coercing physical activity or exercise, creating a threatening circumstance such that a student reasonably fears for their personal safety, forced or coerced participation in illegal activity or in an activity that would otherwise violate the Student Code of Conduct or other University policy.

Non-Consent

The consent or willingness of the person subjected to hazing, either expressed or implied, is not a defense to hazing.

Retaliation

The University prohibits retaliation against any person who acts in good faith to stop, prevent, or report potential hazing activity, or who participates in an investigation involving hazing allegations. A person or organization can be found responsible for retaliation regardless of whether they are found responsible for hazing.

Investigations

The Office of Student Conduct will coordinate hazing investigations with other appropriate University offices and officials and a proceeding may determine outcomes for alleged violations of this policy and other University policies. Students or student organizations who use deception or collude with others to obstruct a hazing investigation may be subject to additional disciplinary sanctions.

For a more detailed description of the process for individual or student organization cases, visit the Student Handbook section on Conduct Procedures for social policy violations.

North Carolina state law on hazing (NCGS § 14-35):

Persons who cause physical injury by hazing, or who aid or abet others in causing physical injury by hazing, are also subject to arrest and criminal liability under North Carolina law.

In July 2025, the state of North Carolina signed a new bill into law related to hazing. Named in honor of a student who died in 2008 as a result of hazing, “Harrison’s Law” became effective December 1, 2025. The law states:

(a) It is unlawful for any student in attendance at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing, or to aid or abet any other student in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class A1 misdemeanor.

(b) It is unlawful for any school personnel, including, but not limited to, a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer, or coach, at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing or to aid or abet any other person in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class I felony.

(c) For the purposes of this section, hazing is defined as subjecting a student to physical or serious psychological injury as part of an initiation, or as a prerequisite to membership, into any organized school group, including any society, athletic team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group.