Anti-Hazing Information
Hazing is against the laws of the State of New York and Adelphi University policies. The Center for Student and Community Engagement, the Division of Student Affairs, and the University will enforce all legislation, laws and regulations pertaining to this issue. Please read the following information carefully before planning your organizational activities.
Please refer to the University Hazing Policy for additional information.
Hazing is defined as any action or conduct, on or off the campus, with or without consent which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or creates risk of injury or causes discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, humiliation or ridicule or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership, in any organization, team or other group whether recognized by the University or not.
Such activities and conduct include, but are not limited to:
- Compelling an individual to engage in any illegal activity.
- Forced consumption of alcohol, drugs or any substance.
- Creation of excessive fatigue.
- Physical and/or psychological trauma; wearing apparel in public which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste.
- Engaging in public stunts and jokes.
- Participating in treasure or scavenger hunts.
- Morally degrading or humiliating games, activities and events.
- Late night sessions which interfere with scholastic activities or normal sleep patterns.
- Misuse of authority by virtue of one’s class rank or leadership position.
- Any form of physical bondage of a student.
- “Road Trips” or taking a student to an outlying area and dropping them off.
- Any form of “Quadding”. (Quadding includes but is not limited to throwing a person into water or holding a student down and pouring water on them).
- Any other similar activities or conduct which are not consistent with university regulations and policies.
It is against all policies having to do with Adelphi University’s Inter-Greek Council, as well as those policies of the sub-councils and national organizations, to haze any member of our Greek community. Hazing is most often heard of in a situation having to do with new members, but remember, anyone can be hazed, not just a new member.
Come Again?
From the Greek community standpoint, the following situations are hazing, whether your chapter members say they are or not. Activities that exhaust you, dressing you up funny in front of other people, playing jokes or tricks on you, morally degrading games or activities, initiation rituals or any ceremony in the middle of the night, making you stay awake for unreasonable amounts of time, activities that interfere with school work, etc.
Activities like these can seem very harmless, and possibly even fun to some members, but nevertheless, they are hazing. Even if one person in a group of 30 feels like they are being forced or pressured to do something they aren’t comfortable with, or is inappropriate, then it is hazing; and it’s not always the shy ones who feel uncomfortable, it could be anyone.
Remember, even if the event appears to be harmless, or if a student consents to it, it is still hazing if it falls under the above description, and it is illegal. If even one student out of an entire group feels uncomfortable, it is hazing.
If you or someone you know is being hazed, you have several options for how to file a report. Reports can be filed with the Center for Student and Community Engagement during normal business hours by visiting our office or calling 516.877.3603. Reports can be filed at any time via the Hazing Report Form. Please note that these responses may not be seen outside of normal business hours.
In the event of an after-hours emergency related to hazing, please contact the Police at 911 or Public Safety at 516.877.3500.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing
No. Adelphi University guidelines state that if one of the above occurs, it is hazing, regardless of your intent.
No. The law and Adelphi University guidelines state that if one of the above occurs, it is hazing regardless of the consent or cooperation of the recipient. Consent is not a defense.
The student may be subjected to University disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the University, in addition to or regardless of any penalty imposed by the courts. The student organization will be subjected to disciplinary action by the Center for Student and Community Engagement and/or the appropriate governing organization (Student Government Association/Greek Council). Sanctions can include fines, probation, or any other sanction that the Center for Student and Community Engagement deems appropriate including suspension and loss of recognition.
No. Any person who reports a specific hazing incident involving a student to the Center for Student and Community Engagement or the Division of Student Affairs is protected from civil, criminal liability, or University judicial sanctions. A person who reports in bad faith or with malice, however, is not protected by this section.
If you or someone you know is being hazed, you have several options for how to file a report. Reports can be filed with the Center for Student and Community Engagement during normal business hours by visiting our office or calling 516.877.3603. Reports can be filed at any time via the Hazing Report Form. Please note that these responses may not be seen outside of normal business hours.