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Information Regarding Hazing

Appalachian State University, The State of North Carolina, Office of Campus Activities, and The Interfraternity, Panhellenic, Multicultural Greek, and National Pan-Hellenic Councils do not tolerate or encourage any activities that may constitute hazing according to the definitions below. We encourage any member that believes they have been a victim of hazing or witnessed or participated in hazing to report the alleged violation directly to the Office of Student Conduct so that the incident can be investigated immediately and appropriately.

 Report an Incident

Contact App State Police (opens in a new tab) at 828-262-8000

20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(vi) (2024)

Hazing, regardless of an individual's willingness to participate, is any intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by one person or a group against another individual in connection with initiation, admission or continued membership in a student organization or group that:

  • Causes or creates a risk (above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution or the student organization) of physical or psychological injury. It includes activities such as:
    • 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.
Student Organization Definition for purposes of reporting under the Clery Safety Act.
20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(vii) (2024)

Under the Stop Campus Hazing Act, a student organization an organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

§ 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. (1913, c. 169, ss. 1, 2, 3, 4; C.S., s. 4217; 1969, c. 1224, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 19; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2003-299, s. 1; and as it may be amended hereafter.)

4.12 Hazing

Causing or permitting an individual, as part of an initiation or as a criterion or perceived criterion of membership in a society, club, athletic team, or similar group or organization, to participate in any activity that subjects or is likely to subject that individual or others to physical, mental, or emotional harm, or destroys or removes property, whether or not that individual has consented to participation in the activity. Silent participation or being in the presence of hazing is not a neutral act; they are considered a violation of this provision.

Minimum Sanction: Disciplinary Probation

Hazing can be intimidating, harassing, or violent in nature. It can manifest itself in the form of physical violence, forced physical activities, or psychological and/or emotional harm, which can be violations of law. There are a wide range of behaviors and activities that constitute hazing that often go unrecognized or unreported. Although it is impossible to list all possible hazing behaviors because many are context-specific, the list below provides some common examples of hazing behaviors. It is important to note, however, that these categories do not negate nor lessen an allegation of hazing. Regardless of category, hazing is hazing and is not welcome at Appalachian State University.

  • Intimidation
    • Deception (lies, tricks, or dishonesty)
    • Assigning demerits
    • Silence periods with implied threats for violation
    • Socially isolating new members
    • Demeaning names
    • Expecting certain items to always be in one's possession
  • Harassment
    • Verbal abuse
    • Threats or implied threats
    • Asking new members to wear embarrassing attire
    • Skit nights with degrading or humiliating acts
    • Sleep deprivation
    • Sexual simulations
  • Violent
    • Forced consumption of alcohol or drugs
    • Beating, paddling, or other forms of assault
    • Branding
    • Forced ingestion of vile substances
    • Water intoxication
    • Abduction/kidnapping
    • Sexual assault

Adapted from StopHazing (opens in a new tab) and Arkansas State University (opens in a new tab).