Student Conduct

Hazing

Hazing violates the Student Code of Conduct and the Cowboy Community Standard of Respect. Activities that involve forced consumption of alcohol, cause physical or mental distress, or put a student’s well-being in danger will result in action from the University. For more information on hazing, please review the Student Code of Conduct.

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Defining hazing

Oklahoma State University defines hazing as engaging in any action or activity that causes or is likely to cause physical or mental discomfort or distress that may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person, regardless of location, intent, or consent of participants, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in an organization. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of the Code of Conduct. 

 

Oklahoma State Law classifies hazing as a crime, Title 21 Oklahoma Statutes Section 1190. 

 

Hazing can occur at any point in one’s membership experience. It happens most commonly during the new member period or just after someone has been initiated or becomes an “official” member. Although hazing may occur in an organized way via the chapter or entire organization it is more likely that hazing will ensue among a small group of members. Hazing is always rooted in a power-dynamic and a need to exert power over others. When you receive an invitation to membership you are considered deserving of membership and do not have to “earn” your way into an organization.

 

What to do if you are being hazed

 If you or someone you know has been hazed, report it. Don’t be a bystander.

• Stay connected with friends outside of your student organization. Organizations that haze may try to isolate new members from others who might question what they are going through.
• Talk with others about what you are experiencing and don’t keep it a secret. Even if you made a promise or took a pledge to keep things a secret, you have a right to tell others what you are going through. You may prevent harm done to yourself or others.
• Seek guidance from your parents/guardians, other family members, trusted friends, or other University officials.
• Refuse to participate in any activity that do not want to participate in that would be considered hazing.
• Band together with other new members that also refuse to be hazed. There is power in numbers.
• Leave the group if you want to. It may be a hard decision to make but walking away from hazing takes strength. Leaving a dangerous situation is not weak and doesn’t mean that you aren’t tough enough to “take it.” Quitting when you are being hazed takes integrity and other values that are Cowboy Community Standards. There are likely others in the group that will leave with you but may need someone like you to take the first step.
• Talk to a healthcare provider or mental health professional to help you sort out what to do.

 

Hazing examples

• Subtle hazing

  Subtle hazing could be activities that are often accepted as “harmless” or “meaningless.” There is often a power imbalance found between new members and other members of the organization and subtle acts of hazing are activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect. New Members may feel like they must endure the subtle hazing to feel like they belong to the organization. Examples of subtle hazing include:

  • Requiring new members to perform unnecessary duties that existing members are not assigned
    • Mowing lawns, cleaning houses, serving as Designated Drivers (DDs)
  • Required calisthenics
    • Running, sit-ups, push-ups, other forms of physical exercise
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Assigning meaningless and often impossible tasks
  • “Greeting” members in a specific manner when interacting with each other on campus
  • Being required to carry around certain items
  • Restriction of communication
  • Setting of a curfew

  The most common type of hazing on our campus is subtle hazing. These types of hazing activities are often overlooked and accepted as “harmless” or meaningless. They can be rooted in tradition or portrayed as bonding activities.

• Harassment hazing

  Harassment hazing is used to confuse, frustrate, or cause unnecessary stress for new members. This behavior has the potential to cause emotional anguish and/or physical discomfort. Examples of harassment hazing include:

  • Yelling or screaming
  • Personal servitude or chores
  • Lineups for the purpose of interrogating, demeaning, or intimidating
  • Wearing embarrassing or uncomfortable clothing
  • Assigning pranks that involve stealing, vandalism, or harassing other organizations
  • Forced confinement
  • Being dropped off somewhere unfamiliar and being forced to find one’s way back
• Violent hazing

  Violent hazing is behavior that has the potential to cause physical, emotional, and/or psychological harm. It is often the most extreme types of hazing. Examples of violent hazing include:

  • Capturing or kidnapping
  • Total or partial nudity
  • Forced sexual activities
  • Pushing, shoving, tackling or any other physical contact
  • Branding, cutting, labeling, or shaving parts of the body
  • Forced consumption of any liquid or food, including involving alcohol and/or unusual food combinations
  • Paddling or whipping

 

Prevention Policy 

Oklahoma State University is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful campus environment through the prevention of hazing in all forms. The University policy strictly prohibits hazing by any individual or organization affiliation with OSU. Through on-going education and community involvement, Oklahoma State aims to eliminate hazing and ensure a supportive environment for all members of the Cowboy Family. This page includes a comprehensive list of research-informed university resources related to hazing prevention designed to educate and engage students, faculty and staff.  

 

Prevention Resources

• Online Hazing Prevention Training

  Offered through Vector Solutions, this online training is available to students, faculty, and staff at Oklahoma State to better understand hazing, identify, and intervene. We recommend all student organizations complete this training. Access the Hazing Prevention training under “Social & Behavioral” training library. Each year, registered and sponsored student organizations’ student leadership and advisors are emailed information about hazing policy and encouraged to complete the online hazing awareness and prevention training.

• Greek 100

  This nationally recognized peer-education program provides education each semester on the topics of hazing, sexual, violence, alcohol/drug abuse, mental health and bystander intervention for the fraternity and sorority community. Annually, each chapter is required to have 95% of their organization complete each presentation. 

• National Hazing Prevention Week

  In collaboration with Fraternity & Sorority Affairs, a committee of students and staff develop week-long outreach and prevention efforts utilizing resources from stophazing.org and hazingpreventionnetwork.org. National Hazing Prevention Week is the last week of September each year.

• All Fraternity & Sorority Community Hazing Notice

  Each fall semester a message is sent to all members & new members of the fraternity/sorority community at OSU which communicates campus policy, reporting procedures, expectations, and chapters found responsible for hazing in the last five years. Each student electronically verifies receipt of the information.

• OSU Athletics and NCAA Hazing Prevention

  OSU Athletics is committed to fostering a positive and safe team culture by providing resources to student-athletes, staff, and coaches. This includes access to the NCAA anti-hazing program and confidential reporting through the Office of Student Conduct. Further information and resources are available on the NCAA website and within the student-athlete handbook. 

• Club Sports and Officials Training

  Club Sports provides proactive hazing prevention resources to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all members. These include utilization of Vector Solutions training modules on hazing awareness, as well as ongoing leadership development sessions in collaboration with the Office of Student Conduct. 

 

Investigation and Resolution

• Our Process

  Upon receipt of a report, the Office of Student Conduct will complete a prompt and thorough investigation. A thorough investigation includes soliciting additional information from the reporting party as needed, developing an investigative plan, identifying and interviewing witnesses, and gathering and securing relevant documentation. A staff member will then incorporate all relevant information gathered over the course of the investigation into a final investigative report. Student Conduct will then meet with the organization to determine if an administrative meeting or a hearing will be held regarding the allegations. 

  Alleged violations of university regulations where neither suspension nor revocation of the organization’s recognition are a possibility are normally resolved through an administrative meeting between Student Conduct and the respondent’s representatives to resolve the case. If an organization is accused of a violation where suspension or revocation of the organization’s recognition is a possible outcome, the adjudication for the organization will be processed in a hearing. 

  Additional information about the investigation and resolution processes can be found in the Student Organization Code of Conduct.