Education
What is hazing?
While varying definitions are often a part of laws and codes of conduct, hazing is a power dynamic behavior aimed at screening, fostering bonds, or establishing standing in organizations that risks the health and safety of individuals, causing deliberate or unforeseen physical and/or emotional harm counter to organization purposes. Citation: Piazza Center. (2024).
Prevent Zone Modules are self paced, online modules that are tailored to teach students, faculty, and staff how to recognize, prevent and report hazing. These courses can be accessed at Prevent Zone.
Campus Policies
The university’s policy with respect to hazing prohibits students from engaging collectively or individually in any of the following practices as a part of any programs or general activities. All students and RSOs must observe and fully comply with California law and university policy against hazing. In addition, all students and RSOs are expected to adhere to related regulations set forth by their respective inter/national, regional or local organizations and university department(s). Penalties for organizations and individual violations of the hazing policy, including minimum sanctions, fines, the withholding of a diploma or transcript, probation, suspension, and expulsion. Please refer to the “Hazing” section under “Integrity and Accountability: Student Community Expectations“.
Laws on Hazing
California law prohibits hazing (Penal Code § 245.6). Under California law, hazing is defined as any method of initiation or preinitiation into a student organization or student body which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student. Those who violate the law may face criminal and civil penalties.
The federal Stop Hazing Act defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are Frequently Asked Questions about hazing.
Hazing is not a problem exclusive to fraternities and sororities and takes place across all different types of groups. There have been incidents of hazing at universities with varsity athletic teams, sport clubs, intramural teams, religious groups, social clubs, honor societies, ROTC, student organizations, and marching bands.
Hazing is against the rules and regulations of the Student Conduct Code of the University of Southern California. Following a proven allegation of hazing, individual members and officers of the organization may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and permanent dismissal from the university. Additionally, the student organization may lose its recognition/registration or face permanent disassociation from the University.
USC places a high priority on student health and safety, the purpose of the Medical Amnesty/Good Samaritan Policy was adopted to encourage students to take immediate action in the case of an emergency.
Students may be hesitant to seek medical assistance because they fear possible disciplinary consequences for consumption of drugs or alcohol. The university aims to remove this fear by clarifying the policy to encourage students and organizations to seek assistance for themselves and others who are experiencing distress while under the influence. Those who seek medical assistance for themselves or another, by contacting a Resident Assistant, or calling Public Safety or 911, will not be held responsible for violations of the Student Conduct Code for their consumption of alcohol and/or other substances.
Refer to section 11.95 of the full Medical Amnesty/Good Samaritan Policy.
To report any concerns and get support, please visit USC’s Report & Response site. In case of an emergency or crisis, please call 911 or contact the USC Department of Public Safety (24/7) at 213-740-4321 (UPC) and 323-442-1000 (HSC).
You are not required to provide your personally identifiable information when reporting an incident of hazing. You can report concerns and get support by visiting USC’s Report & Response site. In case of an emergency or crisis, please call 911 or contact the USC Department of Public Safety (24/7) at 213-740-4321 (UPC) and 323-442-1000 (HSC).
When reporting hazing activity or any other violence, it is important to be as detailed as possible. The ability of school officials to locate and adjudicate the activity often depends on the thoroughness and accuracy of the report. Include the following when making a report:
- Describe the event(s) in as much detail as possible.
- What is the name of the organization that you are reporting?
- Where did the event(s) take place?
- When did the event(s) occur?
- What time of day did the event(s) occur?
- Who was involved in this event?
- Are there any other people that were present or can substantiate the info you are providing?
- Your contact info or choose to remain anonymous.
The “choice” to participate in an activity does not make the activity in accordance with hazing policies. In hazing situations, such a “choice” is typically offset by the peer pressure and power dynamics that exist when individuals are seeking to gain membership into an organization.
Even if there’s no malicious intent, safety may still be a factor in traditional hazing activities that are considered to be “all in good fun.” For example, serious accidents have occurred during activities such as scavenger hunts, skit nights and new member abductions. Ask yourself, what purpose do these types of activities serve in promoting the growth and development of the organization’s members?
Contact Us
Email: stuacts@usc.edu
Phone: 213.740.4021
Location: Steven and Kathryn Sample Hall (SKS) 410
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm