Substances & alcohol
- Forced or coerced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or any other substance
- Placement of undesirable substances on or in the body
- Deprivation of food or water
Know It When You See It
What Is Hazing?
Hazing takes many forms and can be tricky to identify. It often hides behind tradition, secrecy, and the idea of "earning" your place. Learn the signs so you'll recognize it.
Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of their willingness to participate.
GSU Code of Student Conduct & StopHazing.org
Understanding Severity
The Spectrum of Hazing, it's all hazing
Hazing exists on a spectrum, from subtle to severe. Behaviors at the "milder" end are easy to excuse, but they are exactly what escalate over time. Every level is still hazing.
Intimidation
Lower Severity- Lies and purposeful deception
- Assigning demerits or punishment
- Forced silence
- Social isolation of new members
- Use of demeaning names
- Expecting members to carry certain items at all times
Harassment
Moderate Severity- Verbal abuse
- Threats or implied threats
- Asking members to wear humiliating clothing
- Forced servitude
- "Skit nights" with humiliating acts
- Sleep deprivation
- Requiring new members to learn songs or chants
Violence
High Severity- Forced or coerced use of food, alcohol, or other drugs
- Beating, paddling, or any form of physical assault
- Branding
- Staged kidnappings
- Sexual assault
- Forced consumption of vile substances
All of This Is Hazing
Examples of hazing
Drawn directly from the GSU Code of Student Conduct. These actions qualify as hazing regardless of a person's willingness to participate.
Physical strain
- Unnecessary physical contact such as whipping, beating, paddling, or branding
- Calisthenics such as sit-ups, push-ups, or wall sits
- Unnecessary fatigue, physical activity, or sleep deprivation
Control & servitude
- Servitude for personal benefit such as driving, cooking, cleaning, or running errands
- Required periods of silence or forced wearing of inappropriate apparel
- Lineups or events where individuals are yelled or cursed at
Policy & Law
The rules that prohibit hazing
Hazing is a crime under Louisiana law and a direct violation of University policy. Read the standards that apply at Grambling State.
GSU Hazing Policy
Grambling State strictly prohibits all forms of hazing. Read the policy, definitions, and expectations.
Read the policyGSU Code of Student Conduct
The standards by which students must conduct themselves, published by the Office of Student Conduct.
View the CodeState Law
Louisiana law defines hazing and makes it a criminal act. Learn what the law requires.
Read the lawHazing Statistics
National research on how common hazing is, and how often it goes unrecognized and unreported.
See the dataFrequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions about hazing, reporting, and what happens next.
Read the FAQ
Why It Matters
Hazing is widespread, and easy to miss
91%
of students who were hazed did not realize it was hazing.
1 in 10
students who were hazed correctly labeled it as hazing.
71%
of students have witnessed alcohol-related hazing.
82%
of hazing deaths are alcohol-related.
Sources: Allan & Madden, Hazing in View: College Students at Risk (2008); Hoover & Pollard (2000).
View all hazing statisticsThink you're seeing hazing? Report it.
You don't have to be certain. If something feels wrong, a confidential report can keep a fellow student safe.