Hazing Prevention

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—whether occurring on or off campus—directed against a student or individual for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group or organization, that endangers the physical or mental health or safety of the individual, or that violates the individual’s dignity.

It includes any behavior expected of someone joining or belonging to a group that puts them at risk, makes them uncomfortable, or strips away their dignity—physically, mentally, or emotionally.

If an activity is done to “prove” someone belongs, and it causes harm, fear, pressure, humiliation, or exclusion, it’s hazing — even if everyone agrees to it or says it’s “just a tradition.”

Catawba College recognizes the following types of hazing. All forms of hazing are prohibited and taken seriously.

Types of Hazing

Subtle Hazing

Behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new members and established members and often go unnoticed or are dismissed as “harmless.”

• Creates pressure to conform in order to belong
• Undermines mutual respect
• Relies on ridicule, embarrassment, or exclusion
• Often framed as “just how it’s always been done”
• Subtle hazing may overlap with harassment hazing.

Harassment Hazing

• Behaviors that cause emotional distress or physical discomfort as a condition of acceptance into a group.
• Creates confusion, fear, or anxiety
• Places undue stress on individuals
• Intentionally frustrates or humiliates
• Can escalate into more dangerous behaviors
• Harassment hazing may also overlap with violent hazing.

Violent Hazing

• Behaviors that have the potential to cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm.
• Involves force, coercion, or dangerous activity
• Creates a significant risk of injury or trauma
• Can result in long-term harm

Examples of Hazing

Some common examples of hazing include:

Physical Hazing

• Beatings, paddling, branding, or using electric shocks
• Forced sleep deprivation
• Forced physical exertion (e.g., push-ups, running, carrying heavy objects)
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions
• Confinement in small spaces
• Forced participation in animal abuse or other illegal activities

Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse
• Forced silence or ignoring new members
• Public embarrassment or humiliation
• Degrading rituals (e.g., wearing embarrassing clothing or acting in a demeaning manner)
• Blindfolding or sensory deprivation
• Coerced participation in illegal activities

Substance-Related Hazing

• Coerced or excessive alcohol consumption
• Forced use of drugs
• Ingestion of harmful, vile or inedible substances

Sexual Hazing

• Forced or unwanted sexual acts, harassment or assault as part of an initiation
• Simulated sexual acts as part of an initiation
• Forcing pledges or members to sexually abuse others
• Forced exposure, humiliating sex acts, or production or distribution of explicit photos or videos
• Forced public nudity

Social and Emotional Hazing or Subtle Hazing

• Isolation from friends or family
• Being forced to do demeaning tasks for existing members
• Publicly revealing personal or embarrassing information
• Requiring new members to perform duties not assigned to others

Learning the characteristics of hazing can help students pause, reflect, and determine whether an activity supports those values — or crosses the line into hazing. Any behavior connected to joining or belonging to an organization that—regardless of intent or consent—is defined as hazing if two or more of the following characteristics are true:

• Is inconsistent with the organization's mission or purpose
• Involves careless or reckless disregard for someone’s well-being
• Creates risk or potential harm
• Increases pressure, power imbalance, or vulnerability
• Unreasonably interferes with a student’s academic responsibilities or success

When in Doubt

If an activity:

• Makes someone feel unsafe, pressured, or embarrassed
• Creates a power imbalance
• Interferes with academics or well-being
• Requires someone to “prove” their worth

…it may be hazing.

Creating a hazing-free campus is something we all share responsibility for. Looking out for one another is part of being a Catawba student. If you see or experience something that doesn’t feel right, speak up and reach out for help.

Reporting concerns is an act of care and courage—and it helps protect our community. Together, we can build a campus culture rooted in respect, accountability, and care for one another. By choosing inclusion over harm and support over pressure, we help ensure that Catawba remains a place where every student can belong, grow, and thrive.

Consistent with the mission, values, and traditions of Catawba College, the College is committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive community where all students can engage fully in campus life without fear of harm, intimidation, or exclusion. Participation in student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams should promote belonging, personal growth, leadership, and mutual respect.

Catawba College strictly prohibits hazing in any form by any member of the campus community. Hazing undermines our shared values and compromises the safety, dignity, and well-being of individuals and the community as a whole. The College also prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports hazing, participates in an investigation, or is involved in any related disciplinary process. Reports of hazing are taken seriously and addressed in accordance with College policies and procedures.

Student Conduct Code Policy involving Hazing:

Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which 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. The expressed or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense.

Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this rule. Any individual or group found responsible for hazing will be subject to sanctions outlined in the Student Conduct Code, including but not limited to probation, social suspension, suspension/ revocation of charter, restrictions on member recruitment and/or group activity, removal of the individual from the group, loss of housing privileges or expulsion. Hazing is also a misdemeanor under North Carolina law.

Harrison’s Law: North Carolina Statute – §14-35

Harrison’s Law is an act to revise the criminal offense of hazing in the State of North Carolina and to publish total compensation and position information for central office employees.

(a) 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. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class A1 misdemeanor.

(b) It is unlawful for any school personnel, including, but not limited to, a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer, or coach, at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing or to aid or abet any other person in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class I felony.

(c) For the purposes of this section, hazing is defined as subjecting a student to physical or serious psychological 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.”

Stop Campus Hazing Act (S.2901, H.R. 5646)

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; and
• 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 injury

Each institution must compile and publish on a prominent location of their public website a hazing transparency report that summarizes findings concerning any student organization found to be in violation of the institution’s standards of conduct related to hazing.