Hazing Prevention

NJIT's Definition of Hazing

Hazing is antithetical to the mission of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). It is contrary to the academic and personal development of students, an affront to the student’s dignity, and a violation of New Jersey state law.  

No student shall take action, create, or participate in any situation, whether formally or informally, that recklessly endangers another person’s psychological, mental, or physical health for the purpose of initiation to and/or affiliation with any organization, group, team, club, or cohort in accordance with university policies, or in violation local, state or federal laws. For the purposes of this policy, hazing includes observation of hazing activities by individuals in a position to intervene but who fail to intervene, including organization officers/leaders who are aware of planned hazing activities and who condone and/or fail to prevent that hazing from occurring, regardless of their participation. 

Examples of hazing include but are not limited to forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, food, liquids, or undesirable substances; branding; paddling; beating; sexual rituals; and forced participation in criminal activity or activity that violates the Code of Student Conduct. Behavior falling into these categories shall be considered hazing regardless of the consent of the participant(s).

Behavior falling into these categories shall be considered hazing regardless of whether a person is a willing participant. View NJIT's full Hazing Policy here.

Sanctions for Students and Organizations

Engaging in any activity that is inconsistent with regulations or policies of NJIT or laws in the State of New Jersey for the purpose of initiation to and/or affiliation with any group, organization or team are a violation of NJIT’s Hazing policy and/or NJ state law, on or off campus. Possible sanctions may include:

Individuals

1. Imposition of fines;

2. The withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with the rules of payment of fines;

3. Discretionary sanctions that may include loss of privileges, educational programs, or reflections.

4. The imposition of probation, suspension, dismissal, or expulsion
    

Organizations

1. Imposition of fines;

2. Discretionary sanctions that may include loss of privileges, educational programs, or reflections.

3. The removal of university recognition;

4. The imposition of probation, suspension, dismissal, or expulsion
    

The above sanctions shall be in addition to penalties imposed for any other institutional violations in which the individual/organization may be subject to.

Hazing Prevention Resources

• National Anti-Hazing Hotline 1-888-NOT-HAZE (668-4293) - The Hotline provides an anonymous telephone line for anyone to report a suspected or recent hazing incident that accepts calls 24 hours a day.
• Anti-Hazing Coalition (AHC) - The AHC is working to eradicate hazing through aggressive student educational outreach, new state-level efforts to strengthen criminal and civil penalties for hazing and federal advocacy to use transparency to make lasting cultural change in student organizations and on university campuses
• Hazing Prevention Network -  a nonprofit dedicated to empowering people to prevent hazing.
• Stop Hazing - StopHazing’s mission is to promote safe and inclusive school, campus, and organizational environments through research, resource sharing, and the development of data-driven strategies for hazing prevention and the promotion of positive and inclusive group climates.
• Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research - dedicated to transformative change and saving lives! Our research-driven approach targets the underlying factors of hazing while promoting healthier fraternities, sororities, student organizations, and athletic programs to build safer and stronger campus communities.
• The Gordie Center - dedicated to ending hazing and substance misuse among college and high school students nationwide.

Hazing as Defined by New Jersey State Law:

Section 1 of P.L.1980, c.169 (C.2C:40-3)

1. Hazing.
   a. A person is guilty of hazing, a disorderly persons offense, or a crime of the fourth degree if the act of hazing results in bodily injury, if, in connection with initiation of applicants to or members of a student or fraternal organization, whose membership is primarily students or alumni of the organization or an institution of higher education, the person knowingly or causes, coerces, or forces another person to do any of the following:

   1. endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the person.

   2. endure brutality of a sexual nature; or

   3. endure brutality of a mental nature, including activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment;

   4. endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics, or exposure to the elements;

   5. consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug or other substance which subjects the other person to a risk of emotional or physical harm;

   6. violate federal or state criminal law; 
       

Hazing shall not include any reasonable and customary athletic, law enforcement, or military training, contests, competitions, or events.

1. A person is guilty of aggravated hazing, a crime of the third degree, if the person commits an act prohibited in subsection a. of this section which results in serious bodily injury to another person.

2. A student or fraternal organization, or an institution of higher education, that knowingly or recklessly promotes or facilitates a person to commit an act of hazing or aggravated hazing prohibited in this section is subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 for each violation of subsection a. of this section, and a fine of not more than $15,000 for each violation of subsection b. of this section.

3. Any property which has been, or is intended to be, utilized in furtherance of any unlawful hazing activity set forth in this section by a person, student or fraternal organization, or institution of higher education, as well as any proceeds derived from the unlawful activity, shall be subject to forfeiture pursuant to chapter 64 of Title 8 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.
    

Under New Jersey law, a person's consent is not a defense against prosecution. In addition, anyone who suppresses or conceals evidence of hazing could be charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution

Reports of Alleged Hazing and Violations at NJIT

Description of Report: On September 8, 2023, the Office of the Dean of Students received allegations of hazing, under-age alcohol consumption, bias, and excessive alcohol consumption within Kappa Xi Kappa local fraternity.

Procedures Implemented: Investigators within the Office of the Dean of Students and Office of Student Life conducted an investigation with eleven members of Kappa Xi Kappa fraternity and prepared documentation and evidence that was reviewed and included in the investigative report.  During the course of the investigation, the chapter was placed on interim suspension.

Findings: On October 23, 2023, the chapter was found responsible for Section 1 (5): Hazing, Section 3 (1)(a): Alcohol-Excessive Consumption, Section 3 (1)(b): Alcohol-Underage Possession/Consumption, Section 1 (7): Failure to Comply with Official Directives, and Section 1 (1): Act of Bias.  In response, the chapter requested a Conduct Board Hearing. On November 28, 2023, the Conduct Board found the chapter responsible for Section 1 (5): Hazing, Section 3 (1)(a): Alcohol-Excessive Consumption, Section 3 (1)(b): Alcohol-Underage Possession/Consumption, and Section 1 (7): Failure to Comply with Official Directives. The Conduct Board did not find the chapter responsible for Section 1 (1): Act of Bias.

Sanctions: The chapter's recognition was Permanently Revoked.  Kappa Xi Kappa is no longer recognized as an organization affiliated with NJIT.

Description of Report: On January 25, 2023, Alpha Sigma Tau National Headquarters received allegations of hazing, under-age alcohol consumption, and excessive alcohol consumption within the Beta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority.

Procedures Implemented: External investigators interviewed fifteen members of the chapter and prepared documentation and evidence that was reviewed and included in the investigative report.  During the course of the investigation, the chapter was placed on interim suspension.

Findings: On April 3, 2023, the chapter was found responsible for violating Section 3 (1)(C): Alcohol-Manufacturing/Dispensing, Section 3 (1)(a): Alcohol-Excessive Consumption, and 
Section 1 (7): Failure to Comply with Official Directives. The chapter was found not responsible for Section 1 (5): Hazing.

Sanctions: The chapter was placed on probationary status through May 15, 2024 and social probation through December 31, 2023 in which events with alcohol were prohibited. In addition, the chapter coordinated a program related to alcohol awareness to present to the FSL community and social media campaign during Alcohol Awareness Week. 

Description of Report: On October 22, 2021, the Athletics department received general information concerning alleged bullying and hazing practices on the Men's Lacrosse Team.

Procedures Implemented: On November 19, 2021, professional members of the Division of Student Affairs interviewed twelve first-year members of the Men's Lacrosse Team.  The Associate Dean of Students prepared an investigation report and findings based on the interviews.

Findings: On November 29, 2021, the Men's Lacrosse Team was found not responsible for violating NJIT's Hazing Policy. Sanctions were not provided however it was recommended that additional programming be implemented for the members of the team in regards to hazing prevention and inclusivity.

Description of Report: On July 23, 2020, the Iota Tau chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity was accused of violating the Code of Student Conduct for hazing including the use of scavenger hunts and forced alcohol consumption, as well as the use of alcohol at new member events and serving alcohol to minors.

Procedures Implemented: Professional members of the Division of Student Affairs assisted external investigators interview twenty two members of the chapter, including two alumni, and prepared documentation and evidence that was reviewed and included in the investigative report.  During the course of the investigation, the chapter was placed on interim suspension.

Findings: On September 23, 2020, the chapter was found responsible for violating Article 5, Section 3.1 (Alcohol) and Section 1.5 (Failure to Comply with University Directives) due to underage drinking occurring at events and parties, the presence and consumption of alcohol at new member events, and the playing of drinking games. The chapter was found not responsible for violating Article 5, Section 1.3 (Hazing), Section 2.3 (Threat to Safety), or Section 2.9 (Dangerous Conditions).

Sanctions: The chapter was not permitted to take a new member class in Fall 2020, and was required to complete the following educational programs: coordinated a social media campaign and hosted a virtual program during alcohol awareness week; 85% of membership completed training for bystander intervention, risk management reduction and new member process.

*reports between January 1, 2017 - July 1, 2025