Q: What is hazing?
A: Hazing is when a person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes, coerces or forces another individual to engage in or endure certain actions for the purpose of pre-initiation activities, pledging, initiating, holding office, admitting or affiliating into or with an organization, or for the purpose of continuing, reinstating or enhancing an individual’s membership or status in an organization. For a more full description, visit the What is Hazing page.
Q: Is hazing illegal?
A: Yes. Hazing is considered a crime.
Q: Can I get sued for hazing?
A: Yes. In addition to criminal penalties and University sanctions, an individual that engages in hazing could be sued and forced to pay significant monetary damages (along with attorney's fees) as part of a civil suit. These suits have resulted in judgements totaling millions of dollars.
Q: Isn't hazing ok if no one gets hurt?
A: No. Any form of hazing, regardless of the outcome, is a crime in Alabama and a violation of University policy. It does not become ok, legal or permissible if no harm is intended or occurs. Additionally, verbal and emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse.
Q: Have people died from hazing?
A: Sadly, yes. There are deaths attributable to hazing at other schools every year. In each of those situations, the individuals that engaged in the hazing probably thought what they were doing was harmless and would not result in someone’s death.
Q: My group has always hazed new members. I was hazed when I joined. It is a tradition, doesn't that make it ok?
A: No. "Tradition" doesn't justify committing a crime or violating University policy. Traditions are created by groups and groups hold the power to change or eliminate them. It only takes one year to break a hazing tradition. Remember that the founding members of organizations were not hazed.
Q: Our pledges and new members don't mind getting hazed. They voluntarily participate in these activities, so that can't be hazing, right?
A: Wrong. Under Alabama state law and UA policy, the fact that a person consented to a hazing activity is not a defense. The peer pressure and desire to belong in a student organization can creative a coercive environment where true consent cannot be given. In short, an individual cannot consent to being hazed.
Q: Doesn't hazing teach respect and make better members?
A: No. Respect is earned, not demanded or taught. When respect is earned, there is also trust. Hazing only motivates people out of fear and anxiety.
Q: Doesn't hazing help build a bond among the pledges and new members?
A: No. Hazing isolates each member from the established group. It does not promote organizational unity. There are safer and more productive ways to build friendships and community.
Q: Do I have a duty to report hazing?
A: Yes. All members of the campus community have an obligation to promptly report any good faith concerns about hazing that has occurred or will occur.
Q: If I know about hazing, but don't promptly report it, what will happen to me?
A: If you are a student, you may be subject to charges and sanctions under the Code of Student Conduct. Employees may be subject to discipline.
Q: How do I report concerns about hazing?
A: If the situation is an emergency and you or someone else needs immediate assistance, please contact The University of Alabama Police Department (UAPD) at 205-348-5454. For non-emergency situations, find information about reporting options. Any report of hazing should include as much detail as possible (e.g., who, where, when, what happened, etc.).
Q: Is it possible to submit an anonymous report?
A: Yes. Learn more about reporting options. Reporting anonymously, however, does not absolve an individual of other responsibilities related to responding to good faith concerns about hazing, which are noted in the Hazing Policy. Additionally, anonymous reports complicate the University’s ability to take appropriate action to address any allegations of hazing.
Q: Am I immune from hazing charges if I make a good faith report of hazing?
A: Potentially, yes. To be eligible for that consideration, an individual has to respond to the situation appropriately. For more information on what is expected of an individual in that situation, please closely review the Hazing Policy.
Q: Can I report hazing that I think is happening to someone else?
A: Yes. You are required under University policy to report any good faith concerns related to hazing activity whether the activity has already occurred or will occur soon.
Q: Should I be worried about being removed from the group or punished by the group for reporting hazing?
A: No. Retaliation by an individual or organization against an individual who made good faith report of hazing activity is a violation of University policy and will result in significant sanctions.
Q: What sort of sanctions, punishments or disciplines could I face for engaging in hazing or failing to report hazing?
A: Sanctions vary and are determined on a case-by-case basis and can include probation, suspension, required counseling, loss of privileges, community service, criminal charges, etc.
