Hazing is any action or situation that intentionally creates physical, emotional, or psychological discomfort for individuals in order to initiate them into a group or organization. It can involve physical abuse, humiliation, harassment, or dangerous activities that can cause harm or distress.
UNC Charlotte has identified three types of hazing. The University considers all types of hazing to be serious.
Subtle hazing –behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new members/rookies and other members of the group. Because these types of Hazing are often taken-for-granted or accepted as “harmless” or meaningless, Subtle Hazing typically involves activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect and place new members/rookies on the receiving end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics. New members/rookies often feel the need to endure Subtle Hazing to feel like part of the group or team. (Some types of Subtle Hazing may also be considered Harassment Hazing).
Harassment hazing – behaviors that cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort in order to feel like part of the group. Harassment Hazing confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress for new members/rookies. (Some types of Harassment Hazing can also be considered Violent Hazing).
Violent hazing – behaviors that have the potential to cause physical, emotional, and/or psychological harm.
Below are some examples of behaviors that the University considers to be acts of Hazing. This is not an exhaustive list and does not represent every action that could be considered Hazing.
- Physical, verbal, or psychological abuse, shock, or discomfort
- Involuntary confinement, excursions, and/or kidnappings
- Deprivation of food, water, shelter and any other basic needs
- Implied, coerced, or forced consumption of alcohol, food, drugs or other substances
- Forced fatigue or sleep deprivation
- Implied, coerced, or forced physical activity or physical activity that is not a part of the group/organization mission
- Exclusion from social contact
- Servitude or morally degrading or humiliating games or activities
- Any activity that interferes with scholastic/academic responsibilities
- Misleading students regarding the membership or participation requirements of a student group or organization
- Wearing or carrying of any obscene or physically burdensome article or the implied, coerced, or forced removal of clothing
As described in the Code of Student Responsibility, hazing is any activity related to membership in a group or team, including a Student Organization, that may demean, disgrace, or embarrass a person or that risks endangering the mental, physical, or emotional health of a person, regardless of whether such person has agreed to participate in the activity. Hazing includes violation of North Carolina law as established in NCGS §14-35. Further resources and information on hazing are available on the Student Accountability & Conflict Resolution website.
Publically Known as Harrison's Law
§ 14-35. Hazing; definition and punishment.
(a) It is unlawful for any student in attendance at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing, or to aid or abet any other student in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this section subsection shall constitute a Class 2 A1 misdemeanor.
(b) It is unlawful for any school personnel, including, but not limited to, a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer, or coach, at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing or to aid or abet any other person in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class I felony.
(c) For the purposes of this section, hazing is defined as subjecting a student to physical or serious psychological injury as part of an initiation, or as a prerequisite to membership, into any organized school group, including any society, athletic team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group.
§ 14-38. Witnesses in hazing trials; no indictment to be founded on self-criminating testimony.
In all trials for the offense of hazing any student or other person subpoenaed as a witness in behalf of the State shall be required to testify if called upon to do so: Provided, however, that no student or other person so testifying shall be amenable or subject to indictment on account of, or by reason of, such testimony.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act improves hazing reporting and prevention on college campuses. Adopted in December 2024, this bipartisan, evidence-informed legislation is supported by national campus safety experts, national fraternity and sorority trade associations, and the parents of hazing victims.