Hazing
Opening Statement:
Carnegie Mellon is committed to nurturing a healthy and safe environment conducive to learning and fostering a sense of belonging for all members of the university community. Hazing, in all its forms, is antithetical to the university’s values and is strictly prohibited.
Definition:
Consistent with state and federal laws, Carnegie Mellon University defines hazing as any passive or active action or situation, on or off campus, in which a student or organization:
- endangers another student’s mental and/or physical health and safety, or willfully risks property damage or loss; and,
- pertains to the purpose of admission eligibility, continued social status within, or as a condition for continued membership in any student organization or group.
Organizations and Groups:
‘Student organization’ or ‘group’ is defined as any assembly of two or more currently enrolled students of the Carnegie Mellon University community, whether or not the organization or group is established or recognized by the university.
Consent:
Any such activity, as outlined in this policy, shall be presumed to be hazing regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate. There is no informed consent for hazing activity.
Participation:
The university shall consider a participant anyone who is present during a hazing action or situation and who chooses not to physically or verbally intervene in such a way that would or could mitigate or change the hazing action. Individuals being hazed will not be considered participants in the act of hazing.
Additionally, students in leadership positions within an organization who have actual knowledge of, or reasonable belief that hazing may occur or may be occurring, and who do not take actions to intervene, will be considered participants. Students in leadership positions do not need to be physically present for the activity in order to be considered participants.
Categories of Hazing
Subtle Hazing includes behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between members, individuals seeking membership, and other members of the group or community. These may result in individuals being on the receiving end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics. Individuals often feel the need to endure hazing to feel like part of the group or community, including when the activity is presented as optional but has real or perceived negative consequences for nonparticipation.
Examples of subtle hazing include but are not limited to:
- Being forced to do something others are not required to do (e.g., hold The Fence)
- Persistent name-calling or assignment of belittling nicknames
- Imposed social isolation or restriction from participation
- Acts of servitude (e.g., forced labor, obedience tests, unnecessary duties)
Harassment Hazing includes behaviors that cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort for someone to feel like part of the group. Harassment hazing often confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress for individuals.
Examples of harassment hazing include, but are not limited to:
- Verbal abuse
- Threats or implied threats
- Requiring situationally inappropriate attire (e.g., dress codes, costumes)
- Sleep deprivation
- Inappropriate scavenger hunts or road trips
- Other physical expectations, such as carrying heavy objects
Violent Hazing includes behaviors that do or could cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm.
Examples of violent hazing include, but are not limited to:
- Forced or coerced alcohol or other drug consumption
- Beating, paddling, or other forms of assault
- Water intoxication or other food/beverage consumption
- Forced or coerced sexual acts
- Blindfolds and/or restraints (e.g., bondage)
- Kidnapping or drop-offs
- Expected participation in illegal activity or activity prohibited by university policy
Students and/or recognized student organizations accused of violating this hazing policy or violating Pennsylvania criminal hazing laws (shared below) will be subject to investigation and review through the university community standards process. This could result in outcomes up to and including suspension or expulsion from the university for students and temporary or permanent loss of university recognition for student organizations.
Click here for more information about hazing prevention and respose.
Safe Harbor for Individuals Seeking Medical Attention Resulting from Hazing Activities:
State and Federal Laws
State Laws
On October 19, 2018, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enacted the Timothy J. Piazza Anti Hazing Law. Any person who causes or participates in hazing commits a criminal act. More information can be found (here). Carnegie Mellon University Hazing Reports are available on the CMU Police Department webpage (here).
Federal Law
The Stop Campus Hazing Act, passed in 2024, requires colleges to report hazing incidents, publicly list organizations that violate hazing policies, and implement prevention programs. Schools must track hazing cases, educate students, and enforce policies to make campuses safer and more transparent.
Text - H.R.5646 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Stop Campus Hazing Act
Pennsylvania Definitions of Hazing Offenses
Pennsylvania Definitions of Hazing Offenses:
Hazing (18 Pa C.S.A. 2802)
A person commits the offense of hazing if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly, for the purpose of initiating, admitting or affiliating a minor or student into or with an organization, or for the purpose of continuing or enhancing a minor or student's membership or status in an organization, causes, coerces or forces a minor or student to do any of the following:
- Violate Federal or State criminal law.
- Consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug or other substance which subjects the minor or student to a risk of emotional or physical harm.
- Endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics or exposure to the elements.
- Endure brutality of a mental nature, including activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment.
- Endure brutality of a sexual nature.
- Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the minor or student.
Aggravated Hazing (18 Pa C.S.A. 2803)
A person commits the offense of aggravated hazing if the person commits a violation of Hazing (as defined above) that results in serious bodily injury or death to the minor or student and:
- The person acts with reckless indifference to the health and safety of the minor or student; or
- The person causes, coerces or forces the consumption of an alcoholic liquid or drug by the minor or student.
Organization Hazing (18 Pa C.S.A. 2804)
An organization that intentionally, knowingly or recklessly promotes or facilitates a violation of Hazing or Aggravated Hazing (as defined above). For purposes of this offense, the term “organization” includes:
- A fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, club or service, social or similar group, whose members are primarily minors, students or alumni of the organization, an institution or secondary school; or
- A national or international organization with which a fraternity or sorority or other organization as enumerated under paragraph (1) is affiliated.
Institutional Hazing (18 Pa C.S.A. 2805)
An institution that intentionally, knowingly or recklessly promotes or facilitates a violation of Hazing or Aggravated Hazing (as defined above). For purposes of this offense, the term “institution” is defined as an institution located within this Commonwealth authorized to grant an associate or higher academic degree.
Note: This offense does not apply to individuals and is not actionable via the Community Standards process. Rather, it may be applied to institutions, such as Carnegie Mellon, as circumstances warrant and is included to raise awareness of the particular legal provision.