Hazing Policy
Hazing
NDSU believes that membership in a fraternity or sorority can provide many benefits to students in college. We also strive to be proactive in our efforts to educate our members on risky and dangerous behaviors. Parents, friends, and families of Greek students are vital members to the NDSU Fraternity and Sorority community. Because of this, we would like to provide you with the following information on hazing.
NDSU has a zero tolerance policy regarding hazing. Please see our policy below:
What is Hazing - Dean of Students
Source: North Dakota State University Code of Student Conduct Section 3.46 p. 16
What is Hazing?
Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concern 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 including:
- Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone's body, or similar activity;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs or other substances;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
- Any activity against another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
- Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of Local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
- Any activity against another person that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
Click below for more information on the NDSU Student Code and ND Century Code
Stop Hazing Act
Because hazing is done secretly, it can be a challenging problem to address. Hazing is inconsistent with the values of the University, and the stated values and purposes of our organizations.
It is our expectation that the fraternities and sororities at NDSU do not haze their new or active members. However, in the event that you suspect hazing or learn about it, it is very important that you take action to prevent and confront a potentially dangerous or harmful situation. It is important that you know that NDSU is committed to preventing, addressing, educating about, and eradicating hazing.
Click below for more information on the Stop Hazing Act.
Signs of Potential Hazing
Below are some activities or behaviors that new members, family, and friends can look out for in themselves and their student as they join a new organization. It is important to discuss behavior changes with your student, as not all behavior changes may be a result of hazing:
- Sleep deprivation
- Excessive absence from class
- Declining academic performance
- Not showered/clean
- Wearing unusual or similar/identical clothing with members of the new member class
- Pulling away emotionally and physically from friends and family
- Defensive responses about fraternity/sorority membership when explaining unusual events or activities
- Loss of privileges that may sound unnatural, like having a cell phone taken away for a few days, not being able to use the front door or access certain rooms of the chapter house
- Forced activities for new recruits to ‘prove’ their worth to join
- Forced, required, or peer pressure to consume alcohol or any substance
- Requirement to endure hardships such as staying awake, menial tasks, cleaning, physical labor, running while blindfolded, etc.
- Memorizing large amounts of information, such as member’s names or birth dates
- Humiliation of new or potential members
- Isolation of new or potential members
- Beatings, paddling, or other physical acts against new or potential members
- New, frequent, or suspicious injuries
- Forced sexual acts
- Requirements for new or potential members to do things established members are not required to do
- Illegal activities such as requirement to steal local items
- Scavenger Hunts
- Forced to carry specific or unusual items at all times
- Forced to be “on call” to other members of the group at all times
What to do You Suspect Hazing
It is important to confront this behavior. New member activities should include meetings to learn about the organization’s history and values, participating in the activities of the chapter on campus, community service, attending campus events together, and brotherhood/sisterhood events like camping, hiking, movie nights, and other things good friends do together. If you suspect you or another student is being hazed, start a conversation by asking about the experience. Ask the new member or an organization leader to explain the things the group is requiring them to do to become a member or maintain their membership in the group. Leaders and officers should be able to explain why each activity is important and how each activity teaches the values of the group. All fraternity and sorority new member activities should be approved by the chapter’s headquarters. Established members and leaders should be able to explain the reason for each activity and new members should be able to show you any new member books or other materials from their fraternity or sorority. If they do not or simply won’t answer your questions about new member activities, that should be a red flag. There is always a process if members or new members have a conflict for a required event to be excused from that event.