Hazing
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus expects that all students and organizations will observe and fully comply with federal law, state law, University regulations, and administrative rules associated with the prohibition of hazing.
Hazing is prohibited under federal law, state law and University policy. The University will take disciplinary action against any incident of hazing during official University functions, functions held by registered or sponsored student organizations, and incidents that go against the interests of the University regardless of location.
Stop Campus Hazing Act
This act requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs to report hazing incidents. It also renames the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act as the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.
The bill requires IHEs to disclose hazing incidents reported to Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) or Local Police Agencies (LEAs) in its annual security report.The bill defines the term hazing to mean any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person against a student (regardless of that student's willingness to participate), that (1) is connected with an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, an organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and (2) causes or is likely to contribute to a substantial risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the IHE or the organization, of physical injury, mental harm, or degradation.
What is hazing?
The Stop Campus Hazing Act defines the term hazing to mean any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that (1) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and (2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the IHE or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.
Hazing encompasses a wide range of activities. These activities are often required of specific members of the group, such as new recruits. Additionally, they are often meant to take priority over other activities in a person’s life as part of the initiation process. Due to the nature of these activities, many hazing behaviors go unrecognized and unreported.
Examples of hazing:
- 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 that places 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;
- any activity 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.
It is important to recognize that hazing is also a state crime that can happen in any group, including:
- Club sports teams
- Academic clubs
- Performing arts organizations
- Honor societies
- Intramural sports teams
- Political or religious organizations
- Student organizations
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 18. Criminal Code § 18-9-124
What to do if you are being hazed
- The University’s Student Code of Conduct prohibits hazing and bullying. Hazing can be reported by students by filling out a CARE Report, which may be completed anonymously.
- The University’s Anti-Violence Policy prohibits hazing in the workplace. Employees can report any concerns to CU EthicsLine, or central HR (ERP.Communications@cuanschutz.edu)
- Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to your safety or the safety of others.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Even if the behavior experienced does not constitute hazing, it may be still harmful and prohibited by University Policy, local, state, or federal law. Below are several University Policies that outline additional prohibited behaviors.
APS-5014 Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stalking
APS-5065 Protected Class Nondiscrimination