Hazing Policy
Introduction
Saint Peter’s University strictly prohibits hazing in any form. Hazing undermines our commitment to student safety, dignity, and integrity, and is inconsistent with our mission and values. This policy outlines our institutional stance, reporting mechanisms, and compliance with Public Law 118-173 (Stop Campus Hazing Act) and New Jersey State Law, including the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
Scope
This Saint Peter’s University policy applies to and governs the conduct of students, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors, and other licensees as part of the Saint Peter’s University community. Administrators, coaches, team captains, student-athletes, student leaders, club/organization officers, and all students shall be expected to accept responsibility and act with integrity and civility regarding this issue.
Definitions
Hazing - As defined by the Stop Campus Hazing Act, means 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 or persons to participate, that:
- is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization;
- causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological in jury, including—
- whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
- causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
- causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
- causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
- any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
- any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
- any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
For hazing prevention and accountability, a student organization includes any group of students acting together, formally or informally, with the purpose of initiation, admission, affiliation, or continued membership in a group—regardless of official recognition by the institution. This includes but is not limited to including but not limited to:
- Fraternities and sororities (whether local, national, or international)
- Athletic teams
- Academic or honor societies
- Student government bodies
- Performance groups
- Cultural, religious, or service organizations
- Special Interest Groups
- Unrecognized or underground organizations that are composed primarily of students and operate on or near campus for the purposes of student engagement
Policy
Saint Peter’s University students are prohibited from engaging in hazing or hazing-related activities, whether on or off campus. Therefore, any hazing, initiation, or team, group, club, or organization bonding activities that subject others to mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule, or other conduct which recklessly endangers or threatens the health, safety, or welfare of any person is prohibited.
Specific actions and activities which are prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Any type of initiation or other activity where there is an expectation of individuals joining a particular team, group, club, or organization to participate in behavior designed to humiliate, degrade, or abuse them, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.
- Forcing, requiring, or pressuring an individual to consume alcohol or any other substance.
- Forcing, requiring, or pressuring an individual to shave any part of the body, including hair on the head.
- Any requirement or pressure put on an individual to participate in any activity which is illegal, perverse, publicly indecent, contrary to genuine morals and/or beliefs, e.g., public profanity, indecent or lewd conduct, or sexual gestures in public.
- Required eating of anything an individual would refuse to eat otherwise.
- Any activity or action that creates a risk to the health, safety, or property of the University or any member of its community.
- Forcing or requiring calisthenics, such as push-ups, sit-ups, and running, when these activities are not part of the standard conditioning requirements for a particular athletic or physical training activity, taking place within the appropriate practice, training, or competition venues and supervised by qualified professionals.
- Assigning or endorsing pranks such as stealing or harassment of another group or individual.
- Awakening or disturbing individuals during normal sleeping hours.
- Expecting or pressuring individuals to participate in an activity in which the full membership is not willing to participate.
- Physical abuse of any kind.
- Forcing, encouraging, or pressuring someone to wear apparel that is conspicuous and not within the norm of what is considered to be in good taste in public.
- Engaging in public stunts and buffoonery.
- Nudity at any time, or forced reading or viewing of pornographic material.
- Paddling, beating, or otherwise permitting a member to hit other members.
- Having substances, including but not limited to oil, eggs, mud, paint, cream, and honey, thrown at, poured on, or otherwise applied to the body of a member of the team, club, or organization.
- Harassment or morally degrading/humiliating games or other activity that makes a member the object of amusement, ridicule, or intimidation.
- Subjecting a member to cruel and unusual psychological conditions.
Violations of this policy include:
- Participating in or encouraging hazing activities
- Failing to report known hazing incidents
- Retaliating against individuals who report hazing
Failure to comply with this policy may result in student conduct action that is reflective of the severity of the policy violation.
Applicable State and Federal Laws
Federal Law: Public Law 118-173 (END ALL Hazing Act)
New Jersey Law: Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
Reporting
All members of the University community are strongly encouraged to report all acts of suspected or known hazing via the University Incident Reporting Form or to any of the university staff members listed below:
- Director of Athletics
- Director of Student Involvement
- Dean of Students Office
- Campus Safety
All reported incidents of hazing will be referred to the appropriate department for investigation and adjudication. For all incidents where the alleged violators are students, cases will be referred to and followed up on by the Dean of Students’ office. The cases will be heard via the procedures laid out in the Student Code of Conduct.
Training and Prevention
Saint Peter’s University will provide ongoing training and prevention programming to all members of the university community on hazing prevention and reporting obligations.
Last Updated: November 2025