Hazing Information
What is Hazing?
Hazing is when someone intentionally sets up a situation or does something that embarrasses, messes with, or straight-up risks hurting someone—mentally or physically—just because they’re part of a group or team. Doesn’t matter if they’re newbies or veterans, or even if they’re cool with it. It’s still hazing.
Not sure if it’s hazing? Ask yourself:
-
Would I be chill doing this if my parents were watching?
-
Would we be screwed if a dean or RA caught us?
-
Am I supposed to keep this on the down-low?
-
Is this illegal? Like, actually illegal?
-
Does this vibe with who I am or what this group’s supposed to stand for?
-
Is this stressing me or someone else out—physically or emotionally?
-
Could this tank my job chances if I end up with an arrest record?
Want examples? Check the full list [insert link if applicable].
Hazing’s Messy.
It’s not always obvious what’s hazing and what’s not. Back in 2009, Diverse Issues in Higher Education dropped an article breaking down how complicated it gets. It’s not just the person getting hazed who’s affected—bystanders who watch it go down and even the ones doing it get tangled up in the mess too.
Bystanders Matter.
Hazingprevention.org says standing by and doing nothing is a big deal. Their whole thing is about giving people the guts to step in and stop hazing before it wrecks someone. If more people spoke up, we’d dodge a lot of this emotional and physical damage. Curious? Peek at Hazing in View from the University of Maine for more.
Hazing vs. Bullying—What’s the Diff?
They’re super similar, so people mix them up all the time. Both have that power-trip vibe, intimidation moves, and make you feel like a nobody. The key difference? Bullying’s about picking on one person to kick them out or keep them down. Hazing’s about “letting you in”—you just gotta “earn” it by going through some crap first.
-
Bullying = “You’re out.”
-
Hazing = “You’re in… if you survive this.”
We’re on this—keeping GVSU a solid place to live, learn, and grow. Got questions? Hit up wittbe@gvsu.edu for more.
Allegations
If you wish to file a hazing complaint,
Additionally, if you wish to talk to a University administrator before you file a complaint, you may contact the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, at (616) 331-3585 or by email at osccr@gvsu.edu.
Outside Resources:
National Hazing Hotline: (888) NOT-HAZE or (888) 668-4293, this line will allow anonymous reporting.
Outside resources
Prevention
The following links contain resources for students looking for assistance in preventing hazing.
GVSU's Hazing Policy
Hazing: Defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization. Participation or cooperation by the person(s) being hazed does not excuse the violation. Failing to intervene to prevent (and/or) failing to discourage (and/or) failing to report those acts may also violate this policy.
Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act
As of January 1, 2025, the feds are cracking down on hazing with the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Here’s what it means for GVSU:
-
Tracking Hazing: We’re now required to log every hazing incident—stuff like dangerous rituals, forced drinking, or anything tied to joining a group (social fraternities/sororities, teams, clubs, you name it) that risks physical or mental harm, even if you agreed to it. These go in our Annual Security Report alongside other safety stats, covering campus and nearby areas.
-
Transparency Report: Starting July 1, 2025, we’ll post a yearly Campus Hazing Transparency Report online. It’ll name any student organizations that break our anti-hazing rules, give a quick rundown of what went down (like if it involved booze or drugs), and list the consequences. No student names—just the group’s actions and what we did about it.
-
Prevention Push: We’re rolling out a campus-wide hazing prevention program—think workshops and info sessions to clue you in on the risks and how to report sketchy stuff. Plus, our anti-hazing policy will be front and center so everyone knows the rules and what happens if they’re crossed.
-
Why It Matters: This comes from a new law tied to federal funding, sparked by cases like Danny Santulli’s at Mizzou, where hazing left him with permanent injuries. The goal? Make campus safer by shining a light on hazing and stopping it before it spirals.
Michigan State Law
State of Michigan Penal Code on Hazing
Michigan’s hazing law, enacted in 2004, prohibits individuals associated with educational institutions—students, employees, or volunteers—from engaging in or participating in hazing. Hazing is defined as an intentional, knowing, or reckless act that causes physical injury or endangers someone’s health or safety as part of an initiation, admission, or continued affiliation with any organization (public or private). This applies regardless of the individual’s consent.
Penalties depend on the outcome:
-
If hazing results in physical injury, it’s a misdemeanor with up to 93 days in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both.
-
If it causes serious impairment of a body function, it’s a felony with up to 5 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, or both.
-
If it leads to death, it’s a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both.
Exceptions exist: the law doesn’t apply to activities that are part of an official athletic event, military training, or law enforcement training sponsored by an accredited entity. Defenses like consent, assumption of risk, or blaming the victim’s conduct are explicitly barred.
The law, titled “Garrett’s Law,” reflects a focus on protecting individuals from harmful rites of passage while holding perpetrators accountable, aligning with a practical, consequence-driven approach rather than ideological framing. That’s the gist of it—straightforward and tied to tangible outcomes.