Hazing Prevention & Education
黑料社 has a long-standing commitment to end the practice of hazing. New Jersey鈥檚 enactment of the Timothy J. Piazza鈥檚 Law (NJ S84/2093) further strengthens our resolve to end practices and traditions which result in the embarrassment, injury, and/or death of students.
Effective January of 2023, institutions of higher education must publicly post violations associated with hazing. The 鈥淭imothy J. Piazza鈥檚 Law鈥 enhances the accountability associated with hazing in an effort to end the practice and prevent injuries, distress, and deaths of students who wish to be members of 鈥渙rganizations鈥.
Timothy J. Piazza鈥檚 Law: New Jersey鈥檚 Anti-Hazing Law
Individuals and organizations are also subject to criminal prosecution by the State of New Jersey. The passed on August 24, 2021, required penalties for hazing on campus and criminally. The law updated the criminal definition of hazing in New Jersey and made certain hazing activities third- or fourth-degree crimes.
Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA)
In December 2024, the was signed into law, which requires all colleges and universities that receive federal funding to track and publicly disclose hazing incidents in their annual security reports beginning in 2025. 黑料社 has begun collecting hazing information and will publish this information in the 2025 Safety Matters, our , which will be released in October 2026. In accordance with the SCHA, the university also will publish and regularly update a Campus Hazing Transparency Report and provide hazing prevention awareness programming.
Summary
A person commits the disorderly persons offense of hazing if, in connection with initiation of applicants to or members of a student or fraternal organization, he knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates, or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events, which places or may place another person in danger of bodily injury. Any such hazing act is upgraded to aggravated hazing, a crime of the fourth degree, if serious bodily injury results. This bill increases disorderly persons hazing to a crime of the fourth degree and aggravated hazing to a crime of the third degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Additionally, the bill clarifies that prohibited hazing conduct includes, but is not limited to, causing, coercing, or forcing the consumption of alcohol or drugs. "Timothy J. Piazza's Law", upgrades hazing; clarifies that prohibited conduct includes causing, coercing, or forcing consumption of alcohol or drugs.
黑料社 Hazing Policy
Hazing defined: 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 (i) endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, (ii) destroys or removes public or private property, (iii) is connected with an initiation or admission into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in or as a condition for continued membership in a student group or organization, or causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the University (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, (A) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of harmful substance on someone's body, or similar activity; (B) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity; (C) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume, food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances; (D) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; (E) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct; (F) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of federal, state, or local law or University policies or procedures; and (G) any activity that induces, cause or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of federal, state or local law or University policies or procedures. The expressed or implied consent of a person is not a defense to any hazing activity.
How to Report Concerns
We appreciate that reporting an allegation of hazing can be difficult. However, if you are aware of any conduct or activity that may implicate hazing, please submit a report as soon as possible. Your report could save the life of one of your peers. If you prefer to make a report in person, you may stop by the Office of the Dean of Students in Campus Center Suite 243.
We understand that individuals who report concerns may have a fear of 鈥済etting in trouble.鈥 Our primary goals are student safety, and to prevent students from embarrassment, injury, and/or death. NJ S84/2093 and the 黑料社 Campus Conduct Code have 鈥淕ood Samaritan鈥 clauses which prioritize medical emergencies over administrative and/or referral to Community Standards.
If you believe that you, or someone else, is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
It is important for others to act and prevent hazing by:
- Learning to recognize hazing and reporting what you see. Does someone鈥檚 behavior seem different? Are they falling asleep in class? Are they bruised? Are they never around? Do they need money to buy things for their 鈥渂ig brother鈥?
- Resisting anyone who encourages you to join hazing activities. If something seems like hazing, it probably is. If there are conditions put on someone becoming part of your group, it is probably not something you want to be a part of.
- Notifying police and appropriate University staff if you are aware of a potential incident. Hazing is a potential crime. It is also potentially dangerous to everyone involved. Too often we have seen small incidents escalate into something larger and more lethal. If you see something that looks like an incident, report it.
