The University of Minnesota is committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment. Hazing, in any form, is strictly prohibited by University policy and law.
What is Hazing?
As defined in the University of Minnesota Board of Regents policy: Student Conduct Code, hazing means:
“Any behavior or activity that endangers the health or safety of an individual (including, without limitation, an act intended to cause personal degradation or humiliation), for the purpose of initiation in, admission to, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student group or University athletic team, regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate.”
This policy applies to both individual students and student groups, as defined by University policy.
Definitions
Student
Student shall mean any person taking courses at the University or enrolled in a University academic program; any person who has taken courses or enrolled in a University academic program within the past three terms (including summer) and who has not withdrawn, transferred, or graduated; any individual who has registered for classes or has been approved for readmission to the University; any person participating as a student in University activities, even if prior to the start of classes; any person previously enrolled within the last three terms (including summer) and who has a continuing relationship with the University through active participation in student groups or University-sponsored activities; any person on an official leave of absence with an intent to return; any person who withdraws, transfers, or graduates after an alleged violation of the Student Conduct Code and before the allegation is resolved; and any already graduated person when the conduct at issue implicates the validity of the person’s earned University degree.
Student Group
Student group shall mean any group of students that is or has been registered as a University student group under applicable University policies or procedures.
University Policy and Response
Hazing allegations are addressed through procedures outlined in the Administrative Policy: Resolving Alleged Student Conduct Code Violations. These procedures apply to both individuals and student groups and are designed to ensure fairness, accountability, and education in the student conduct process.
For more information on student conduct expectations, visit the Student Conduct Code.
Minnesota Statute 135A.155 – Hazing Policy for Postsecondary Institutions
The University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code and the Administrative Policy: Resolving Alleged Student Conduct Code Violations, taken together, meet the expectations outlined in Minnesota Statute 135A.155 – Hazing Policy for Postsecondary Institutions. These policies provide a clear definition of hazing, outline procedures for reporting and responding to incidents, and establish disciplinary processes for both individuals and student organizations. They are publicly accessible through university websites and shared with students through appropriate communication channels.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
As part of our commitment to transparency and compliance with federal law, the University of Minnesota Crookston publishes the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASR) each year. This report includes:
- Three years of campus crime statistics, including any hazing incidents reported within the University’s Clery geography
- Guidance on how to report crimes such as dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking
- An overview of what to expect when such reports are made to police or University officials
- Information about relevant safety policies, resources, and campus support services
Under the Clery Act, hazing is defined as:
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with others), against another person or persons—regardless of their willingness to participate—that is:
- Part of initiation into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a student organization
- Causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury
This definition helps ensure consistent and transparent reporting of hazing incidents, aligning institutional practices with federal safety standards.
Campus Hazing Transparency Report
The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), enacted on December 23, 2024, amends the Clery Act to prioritize the prevention of and transparency about hazing incidents at colleges and universities. The University of Minnesota summarizes findings concerning any established or recognized student organization found to violate Subd. 14 Hazing of Board of Regents policy: Student Conduct Code.
The Campus Hazing Transparency Report includes details for each incident involving a student organization where the institution determined that hazing occurred. For each of these incidents, the report provides:
- The name of the student organization involved in the hazing violation.
- A general summary of what happened, including:
- Whether alcohol or drugs were involved
- What the institution concluded
- Any outcomes the institution imposed on the organization (if applicable)
- Key dates related to the incident:
- When the hazing was alleged to have happened
- When the institution began investigating
- When the investigation concluded with a finding of hazing
- When the organization was officially notified of that finding
Importantly, the report does not include any personally identifiable information.
Hazing Prevention
The more you know
Obtaining facts about hazing in the U.S. can be somewhat challenging. There are no national reporting requirements, and even the definition of what constitutes “hazing” varies. As a result, much of what we know about hazing comes from independent research conducted by academics, public opinion research companies, and social nonprofits. Here is a summary with sources for some of this information.
Who has experienced hazing
- According to a 2017 research study conducted by YouGov, a public opinion research company, as many as 22% of Americans indicate that they have been hazed.
- Younger adults (ages 18-34) indicate experiencing more hazing and older adults (ages 55+) less.
Among college students, research conducted in 2008 by Elizabeth Allen and Mary Madden at the University of Maine indicates a much higher incidence of hazing. They report:
- 47% of students come to college having experienced hazing.
- 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing.
What kind of behavior is involved?
- Alcohol consumption, humiliation, isolation, sleep-deprivation, and sex acts are hazing practices common across all types of student groups.
- In more than half of the hazing incidents, a member of the offending group posts pictures on a public web space.
Adapted from “Hazing Prevention Network”