Hazing as a Code of Conduct Violation

Hazing is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.  As listed in the Student Handbook, the policy states hazing is:

Expecting, encouraging, or endorsing any activity related to organization membership or ongoing affiliation that interferes with academic progress, humiliates, degrades, or risks harming that person emotionally or physically, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Subtle 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 for new members/rookies.
  • Violent hazing – behaviors that have the potential to cause physical, emotional and/or psychological harm.

Outcomes for violations of this policy include:

  • Individuals – normally, not less than disciplinary probation with possible permanent separation; educational and/or restorative program or project, mental health assessment and compliance with recommendations.
  • Organizations – normally, not less than disciplinary probation with possible suspension of official university recognition; educational/change program or project, and restorative program or project.

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

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.  For the purposes of this section hazing is defined as follows: “to subject another student to physical 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.” Any violation of this section shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor.