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:

Hazing is prohibited regardless of location, intent, or consent of participants. Hazing is defined as any action or situation that implicitly or explicitly is required for student admission or affiliation with an organization or group. Such activities and situations include paddling in any form; creating excessive fatigue; forced consumption of any substance; forced road trips; morally degrading, demeaning, unsanitary, humiliating games or stunts; and harassment, ridicule, or other activities prohibited by law or University policy. It is the responsibility of the organization and its leadership in conjunction with the (inter)national organization, if any, to protect potential members, members, or others associated with the organization from any hazing activity or practice conducted, condoned, or encouraged by the current members of the organization, alumni, or other associates. 
Source: North Dakota State University Code of Student Conduct Section 3.46 p. 16

Hazing/mistreatment has been around for more than a century.  It’s constantly evolving and changing.  Some students enjoy being hazed/mistreated, and some enjoy humiliating others.  Some approve of it, but some say nothing.  Although many students (and some of their parents) believe that hazing/mistreatment builds respect and discipline, research has shown that it more often results in apathy, alienation, and mistrust.  Hazing/mistreatment is however, ingrained in different degrees in college cultures, and because it is done secretly, it can be a challenging problem to address. Hazing/mistreatment is inconsistent with the values of the University, and the stated values and purposes of our organizations.

It is our hope that the fraternities and sororities at NDSU do not haze/mistreat their new or active members.  But in the event that you suspect hazing or learn about it, it’s important that you take action to prevent and confront a potentially dangerous or uncomfortable situation.  It is important that you know that NDSU is committed to preventing it, addressing it, educating about it, and eradicating it. 

- 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
- Lengthy weekend commitments
- Loss of privileges that may sound unnatural, like having the cell phone taken away for a few days, eating, sleeping
- Forced activities for new recruits to ‘prove’ their worth to join
- Forced or required consumption of alcohol
- Requirement to eat spicy foods, other substances
- Requirement to endure hardships such as staying awake, menial tasks, physical labor, running while blindfolded, etc.
- Humiliation of new or potential members
- Isolation of new or potential members
- Beatings, paddling, or other physical acts against new or potential members
- 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 as part of a scavenger hunt

It is important to confront this behavior. You should start a conversation by asking your student about their experience, i.e., explain the things the group is requiring them to do to become a member.  If they do not or simply won’t answer your questions about new member activities, that should be a red flag. 

New member activities should include meetings to learn about the organization’s history, the activities of the chapter on campus, community service, going to campus events together, and brotherhood events like camping, hiking, social events.  They should not include long hours of memorizing members’ names, birth dates, personal servitude, activities that require physical endurance of any kind, drinking games, sexual exploits, sleep deprivation, mandatory class skipping, withholding of privileges like using the front door, or certain rooms being off limits, not walking on grass, etc.  Any of these activities should trigger an alarm and you should first discuss the issue with your student and report this behavior to the Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life using this form