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.
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.
§ 14-35. Hazing; definition and punishment.
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. For the purposes of this section hazing is defined as follows: “to subject another student to physical 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.” Any violation of this section shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor.
§ 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.