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Hazing Prevention

Ohio University's core values of character, community, citizenship, civility and commitment define who we are as a University community. We will continue to emphasize our core values as we serve our students, and we will do everything we can to keep our students safe.

We are here to help our students learn and grow so that they become responsible community members and leaders. We will never waver in that commitment.

Our obligation is to the safety and security of our students, We are committed to working with our student organizations to help ensure that they are engaging in behavior and practice that are in alignment with University policies and core values.

Collin's Law Report: biannual SB126 anti-hazing report

OHIO's Policy Against Hazing

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 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.

Under this policy every member of our University community has an obligation to report and act on information regarding hazing. If no action is taken, Under this policy Ohio University employees have an obligation to report 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. OHIO's policy against hazing

What is Hazing?

Hazing includes, but is not limited to:    

  • 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, branding, forced calisthenics, or exposure to the elements.   
  • Coerced 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. 
  • 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").     
  • Coerced activities, including but not limited to violation of local, state, or federal laws, violation of university policies, rules, or regulations, and personal servitude.
  • Acts of sexual misconduct, relationship violence, or stalking, as defined by Ohio University policy 03.004.
Banner reads Forever OHIO in front of Cutler Hall

Student Organization Status

All current organizations under any kind of disciplinary review for the past seven years, are listed here on our website:

Student Organization Updates

Ohio University's Sorority & Fraternity Scorecard has been created to help students and families be better informed on the accomplishments and current status of each of our sororities and fraternities.

Sorority & Fraternity Scorecard

 

Report Hazing

Hazing is not tolerated at Ohio University. Not within our sororities and fraternities, our athletic teams, sports clubs, registered student organizations, the band or anywhere else.

 

For hazing to stop, it must be reported. All reported incidents of hazing will be investigated, and all individuals involved in hazing activities are subject to both criminal and/or university judicial proceedings.

 

If you have witnessed or have knowledge of a possible hazing incident, report the incident immediately to Community Standards at 740-593-2629 and/or contact the police. Hazing activity can also be reported through the Community Standards Incident Report. Reports may be made anonymously, although the University may be limited in responding to anonymous reports.

 

Hazing can be physically and emotionally harmful. There are available resources if you need support or medical attention as the result of hazing activities.

 

Report a Hazing IncidentHazingPrevention.org

Mandatory Hazing Prevention Training

Student Training    Faculty & Staff TrainingCommunity Volunteer

Bobcat Safe App

Launched in 2019, the Bobcat Safe campus safety app offers resources to the Athens Campus.
Read about the App
Download the App

Task Forces

  • Ohio University developed an Anti-Hazing Task force in 2014 and sent representatives to the Novak Institute for Hazing Prevention (now known as the Interdisciplinary Institute for Hazing Prevention) to develop Policy 23.010. This policy not only defines hazing, but also clarifies that any employee of the university who learns of potential hazing has a duty to report to Community Standards and Student Responsibility, and also an obligation to report to the police if the crime could be felony level, in accordance with Section 2921.22 of the Ohio Revised Code. 
  • A new task force started its work in spring of 2019 and has been focused on any updates to the policy, education to the faculty and staff, as well as coordinating prevention efforts. 
  • The University is working towards creating “score-card” data publication on all social fraternities and sororities regarding disciplinary history and other information on the organizations to be publicly available. Data is also shared with national umbrella organizations (ex. the North-American Interfraternity Conference and National Panhellenic Conference) through the online clearinghouse Fraternity/Sorority Central and to the newly created Piazza Center for Fraternity/Sorority Research at Penn State. 

Policies

  • In addition to the university-wide policy on hazing and reporting, hazing is also prohibited as a specific violation of the Student Code of Conduct Part D, Section 8. This provision is emailed to all registered students at the 6th week of each semester as reminder. 
  • All student organization (including recognized social fraternities and sororities) are required to re-register annually to access campus services. As a part of this re-registration process, specific officers of each organization (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) are required to agree to terms and conditions including upholding the Student Code of Conduct, a non-discrimination expectation, a non-hazing expectation, financial accountability, and defining the role of an advisor. 
  • All potential new members seeking to gain membership within a sorority and fraternity are required to participate in a six-module series regarding values-based leadership, rights and responsibilities of the new member, bystander intervention, hazing education, and additional health and safety education.
  • Beginning in the Spring of 2019, Community Standards and Student Responsibility re-vamped its student organization conduct process to be clearer and more transparent to the community, as well as work with university partners in the Campus Involvement Center, Sorority and Fraternity Life and others to increase communication. All current organizations under any kind of disciplinary review for the past seven years, are now listed here on our website: Student Organization Updates

Programs & Staff Support

  • All presidents, risk managers, new member educators, and social chairs must participate in a semesterly health and safety summit that focuses on alcohol and other drugs, mental health, bystander intervention, hazing prevention, consent and sexual violence prevention, and rights and privileges of new members.
  • Every chapter participates in the Pawprint Accreditation Program which assesses chapters on 8 different areas including chapter operations, health and safety, academics, recruitment, new member education, and more. Chapters are required to submit their new member education programs for review and have monthly chapter coaching sessions with a member of OSFL staff to talk about creating inclusive and safe new member processes.
  • In 2017, Community Standards & Student Responsibility and Sorority & Fraternity Life collaborated to bring in a national recognized hazing prevention speaker, Gentry McCreary for training on hazing investigation procedures and delivered a keynote open to all students on hazing prevention. 
  • In fall 2020, Community Standards and Student Responsibility hired a graduate assistant who specifically provides training and hazing intervention to students, faculty, and staff. 
  • Student leaders within Sorority & Fraternity Life have had the opportunity to attend keynotes and training provide by parents representatives of the Parents United 2 Stop Hazing (PUSH) organization.
  • The University provides opportunities for students and student organization members to access risk management, bystander intervention training, and alcohol and other drug intervention trainings from a harm-reduction modality and a socio-ecological approach. View the list of programs, including specifically a hazing program: Health Promotion Programs
  • The University recently completed an external review of Sorority & Fraternity Life through RISE Partnerships consulting group. As a result of this report, additional resources were devoted to hire a Director position for Sorority & Fraternity Life to elevate the role and support of these organizations on campus. This position started in fall of 2019. In addition, the University will follow the recommendation of the report to complete a full problem analysis of hazing situations and contributing factors. 
  • In spring of 2021 the students and the university worked together to add an additional FTE to Sorority and Fraternity Life, bringing the total full time FTE to 2.0
  • Starting in fall 2021, all newly affiliated members of sorority & fraternity life will be automatically enrolled into a 0.5 credit UC 1500 course that will be facilitated by Ohio University staff. This seven-week instructional course will provide new members with the opportunity to connect to Ohio University’s campus life; understand the commitment and responsibilities associated with being a member of a social-Greek letter organization; and engage in prevention work around bystander intervention and power-based violence.