What is Hazing?

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What is hazing?

Mizzou’s Standard of Conduct prohibits students and recognized student organizations hazing. At Mizzou, hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing or reckless act committed (whether individually or in concert) that:

  • Is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a group or organization; and
  • Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the University or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury, 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.
  • Failure by a group’s or organization’s executive officers to intervene to prevent, discourage, and/or report hazing of which they are aware or reasonably should be aware also will be deemed a violation of this policy.
Read 200.010 Standard Code of Conduct

What does hazing look like?

Hazing can show up in many ways—from actions that may seem minor or harmless to those that are clearly dangerous or even life-threatening. But even the less obvious behaviors can cause real harm.

 

By learning to recognize all types of hazing—including those that happen most frequently—we create more opportunities to step in, speak up, and prevent harm for the Mizzou community.

 

Hazing and bullying behaviors may look alike, but whereas bullying is intended to exclude individuals from a group, hazing is framed as a way for individuals to ‘earn’ their way into a group

Hazing Examples

The Spectrum of Hazing™ is a research-based resource developed by Stop Hazing researchers, Dr. Elizabeth Allan & Dr. Dave Kerschner that outlines three categories of hazing behavior: intimidation, harassment and violence. See examples below and visit Stop Hazing website to learn more. (Allan, E. J. & Kerschner, D. (2020). The Spectrum of Hazing™, StopHazing Consulting. https://stophazing.org/resources/spectrum)

Hazing Categories

Intimidation

  • Deception
  • Assignment of demerits
  • Silence periods with implied threat for violations
  • Social isolation of new members
  • Use of 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

    • Violence

  • Forced alcohol or drug consumption
  • Beating, padding or other forms of physical assault
  • Branding
  • Forced ingestion of vile substances
  • Water intoxication
  • Abduction or kidnapping
  • Sexual assault

    • Myths About Hazing

    MYTH: Hazing bonds teammates or members together.
    REALITY: Hazing is power-based violence. It erodes trust and cohesion.

     

    MYTH: Hazing prepares you for team or group membership.
    REALITY: Hazing prepares you to haze the next group—cycle that increases in severity over time.

     

    MYTH: Hazing is a required tradition for all new members.
    REALITY: Hazing traditions are made up, and historically shift overtime.

     

    MYTH: Hazing is optional.
    REALITY: Due to the power imbalance, you cannot consent to hazing.

    What to do if you're being hazed?

    • Find support: Stay connected with your friends, family and other areas of involvement to ensure you have a community that cares. Mizzou offers resources to help you build a strong support network, regardless of your experience as well.
    • Report it: Take a stand against hazing by reporting it. You can make a confidential report at Mizzou or anonymously report by calling the UM system Compliance hotline 844-469-6383.
    •  Call 911: If there is an imminent threat to someone’s health and safety, always call 911.

    How to help prevent hazing?

    You can take action as an individual to end hazing at Mizzou:

     

     

    For student leaders: Request a bystander intervention training for your organization or group.

    Talk to University Staff

    Mizzou staff are ready to assist you in finding support or reporting hazing.

     

    Want to make a confidential report? Submit a report to the MU Hazing Report Form or call the UM system Compliance hotline 844-469-6383.

    Make a Hazing Report

    Hazing violates university policy, state law and recognized student organization policies. You can make a confidential report through the Office of Student Accountability & Support or report anonymously by calling the UM system Compliance hotline 844-469-6383.