Students on the Pace Pleasantville Campus
Just In Case

This Might Be Hazing

What is hazing?

Hazing is any action taken or any situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule and risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group or team, whether new or not, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.

The majority of student organizations and teams provide amazing, positive experiences for their members. However, some organizations engage in negative behaviors known as hazing – acts of humiliation or demeaning tasks meant to ‘prove’ an individual’s commitment and worthiness to joining a group.

Hazing occurs in sports teams, clubs, Greek life, cheerleading, honor societies and more.

Hazing is often about power and control. Hazing does not build unity.

These are some examples of what might be considered hazing:

  • Activities meant to ‘earn’ a place within an organization or team that seem inconsistent with someone’s character or values
  • Activities that are embarrassing or mentally/physically abusive
  • Forces or coerced abuse of alcohol
  • Personal servitude or meaningless tasks

Is this hazing?

If you’re not sure whether something that happened to you or to someone else is hazing, ask yourself these questions:

  • Am I being asked to do menial, secret or illegal tasks in order to join this group/team?
  • Would I feel comfortable participating in this activity if my parents were watching?
  • Would we get in trouble if a school administrator walked by and saw us?
  • Is this causing emotional or physical distress to myself or others?

If Hazing is Happening, What Can I do?

What can I do?

  • Speak up and report it immediately – you may save a life.
  • Take responsibility, when you see it occurring or when it happens to you.
  • Make others aware of what hazing is and their responsibility for preventing it – hazing prevention is everyone’s responsibility

Pace University Hazing Prevention

Source: Hazing Prevention Network

If you or someone are in immediate danger

Call 911 or Campus Security

If you want to report a hazing incident or a suspected incident that is not immediately putting someone in danger, be sure to note the time and location of what you witnessed and:

Complete an Incident Report (24 hours a day)

Report what you witness. You will help prevent further harm and you may save a life.

Contact