Hazing Prevention at Ohio University

Ohio University seeks to promote a safe environment where students may participate in activities and organizations without compromising their health, safety, or welfare. It is therefore the University’s policy that hazing is prohibited.

Prevention of hazing is the responsibility of every member of the Ohio University community. Each organization, as well as each individual, must accept the personal obligation to uphold the basic community values of citizenship, civility, character, community, and commitment. It is the university’s belief that true human development will best occur in an atmosphere that promotes social and ethical responsibility.

Federal & State Laws

As defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965 and amended by Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024, codified at 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(vi), hazing is defined as:

“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 to participate, that is committed in the course of initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a student organization and causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education of physical or psychological injury.”

As defined in section 2903.31 of the Ohio Revised Code, hazing is defined as:

“Doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act or initiation into any student or other organization or any act to continue or reinstate membership in or affiliation with any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person, including coercing another to consume alcohol or a drug of abuse, as defined in section 3719.011 of the Revised Code.”

Hazing is a form of power-based violence. Hazing can occur with power differentials in all types of relationships regardless of membership status, including an initiate, an individual seeking reinstatement, a current member, or a current student with inactive status. In part, hazing is an attempt to exert control or influence from one person to another. What constitutes hazing is a dynamic and changing set of circumstances that requires a situational response.

In the event of a conflict between the definition of hazing in Section 2903.31 of the Ohio Revised Code and the definition set forth in 20 U.S.C. Section 1092(f)(6)(A)(vi), the federal definition shall prevail.

Ohio University Anti-Hazing Policy

Ohio University policy 23.010 maintains the definitions of behavior deemed “hazing.” Ohio University defines hazing to include:

  • Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental, emotional, or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any student organization or group regardless of the person’s consent to participate.
  • Brutality of a physical nature including but not limited to paddling, whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, branding, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, or other similar activity.
  • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing consumption, including but not limited to any food, alcoholic beverage, liquid, drug, or any other substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm.
  • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing acts intended to cause mental stress, including but not limited to sleep deprivation, transportation or abandonment, confinement to a small space, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in embarrassment, any forced activity that is designed to shame or humiliate, or any action of harassment (as defined in the “Student Code of Conduct”).
  • Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through these of threatening words or conduct.
  • Any activity against another person that included a criminal violation of local, state, or federal law.
  • Coerced activities, including but not limited to violation of local, state, or federal laws, violation of university policies, rules, or regulations, and personal servitude.
  • Personal servitude is defined as activities that are performed for the personal benefit of individual members and may include, but are not limited to, driving, cooking, cleaning, serving meals, running errands, picking up laundry, and purchasing items on another’s behalf.
  • Acts of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct as defined by Ohio university policy 03.004, including without limitation causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts.

Reporting

Every member of the Ohio University community has an obligation, and is required by State of Ohio law, to report and act on information regarding hazing. All allegations of hazing will be fully investigated, and any organization and/or individuals within an organization found responsible of hazing may face disciplinary action up to and/or including expulsion from the University and criminal charges.

Reports of hazing allegations may be made to the Office of Community Standards & Student Responsibility (CSSR).

Office of Community Standards & Student Responsibility
 347 Baker University Center
communitystandards@ohio.edu 
740.593.2629

To make a report, please complete the online incident reporting form, or reach out directly to CSSR during regular business hours to talk with a team member.

Anonymous reports are accepted. The submission of a report anonymously may limit the ability of Ohio University to address reports, particularly if there is insufficient or incomplete information.

Investigation Process

CSSR will review all reported allegations of hazing, and where appropriate, investigate. CSSR shall coordinate the investigation of all hazing allegations. When appropriate, other Ohio University offices may handle certain aspects of the university response, such as CRC, human resources, OUPD, or an academic college/department, etc. Additionally, CSSR will assess the need for interim measures will also be assessed (e.g., partial or full cease and desist of organizational activities). Every effort will be made to complete the investigation in a timely manner. The hazing allegation will be investigated and resolved in keeping with the “Student Code of Conduct” process. When a formal conduct charge is made against an organization, the national or oversight organization, if any, shall be notified. Criminal investigations resulting from a report to law enforcement will be handled by the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Community Education

Ohio University is committed to educating all students, faculty, staff, and volunteers about hazing prevention. All students, employees, volunteers, advisors, and coaches are required to complete online hazing education as part of being a member of our community. This research informed training educates the campus community on what hazing is, how to recognize it, the steps to address it, and primary prevention practices.

In addition to the mandatory training, Ohio University also facilities multiple other hazing prevention trainings/workshops throughout the year on various related topics which include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Development of strategies to break barriers related to reporting hazing
  • Bystander intervention
  • Identifying the warning signs of hazing
  • Ethical leadership
  • Strategies to build group cohesion without hazing
  • Student Code of Conduct workshops

Additional information regarding hazing prevention efforts at Ohio University and the biannual Ohio S.B. 126 Anti-Hazing and Campus Hazing Transparency Report can be found on the Hazing Prevention website.