Hazing Prevention

Vanderbilt University does not condone hazing behaviors and has an anti-hazing policy that is consistent with Federal law. Hazing includes any activity that subjects members to harassment, ridicule, intimidation, physical exhaustion, abuse, or mental distress. Hazing is contrary to the community building we seek to do at the University. Hazing is not tolerated. If you sense your student may be participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership or seeking to join a student group, it is important that you talk to your student about your concerns and report any concerning behaviors via the online reporting system, available here. Or by calling the Community Standards Hotline at 615-343-STOP (7867).  You can contact Student Accountability, Community Standards & Academic Integrity, to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have. 

If an organization is already describing a challenging recruitment, new member process, or team culture before joining, these are warning signs. Students, student organizations, and teams all are aware that hazing is a prohibited behavior. Openly discussing hazing behaviors, making jokes about hazing, or creating an atmosphere of suspense that hazing will occur create a reasonable fear of hazing and that should be a reason to not join that organization. Those kinds of behaviors should also be reported so that behaviors can be stopped before any further hazing occurs.  

Vanderbilt’s policies hold a lengthy list of potential hazing behaviors, though not all-encompassing. Ultimately, any behavior that produces or is intended to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule can be considered hazing. 

• violation of federal, state, provincial, local law, or organizational policy;  

• consumption of any food, liquid, or other substance in any non-customary manner;  

• forced or encouraged consumption of alcohol or other drugs;  

• physical contact, including but not limited to, beating, paddling, branding, dangerous physical activity, or exposure to elements, or threats of such conduct;  

• exercise inconsistent with the mission of the organization;  

• adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual through acts such as sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in embarrassment, or threats of such conduct;  

• disruption of academic performance or class attendance, including early morning or late night work sessions,  

• designated driving programs;  

• personal or financial servitude;  

• publicly wearing apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste;  

• engaging in public stunts,  

• morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; or  

• scavenger hunts.  

Any effort by an organization or individuals to make someone feel less than and hold a power differential over them is hazing, no matter how small the behavior may be perceived to be. Allowing a culture where even less severe hazing behaviors is allowed still jeopardizes the mental or physical well-being of students as it creates a consistent, underlying fear that something worse could happen. In fact, research on hazing has found that tolerance for less severe hazing becomes a slippery slope that often leads to severe hazing over time. At Vanderbilt, we expect students to take a stand against all hazing and hold an organizational or team culture rooted in uplifting behaviors and camaraderie that does not involve hazing. 

Vanderbilt’s policy conveys that even if a person consents to being hazed that the behavior is still hazing and against policy. Individuals cannot consent to hazing when there is a power dynamic and membership to be gained or maintained on the line. 

Any hazing behavior that occurs is prohibited, regardless of location. Vanderbilt students, and thus student organizations and teams, are bound by the expectations of the Student Handbook regardless of location. 

Anyone who has information about students being hazed is strongly encouraged to report using the Hazing Incident Reporting Form. Report everything that you have learned, including even the smallest details or dates and times. The University can seek to corroborate the information and take action to stop the hazing behavior if there are details that can be investigated. Supporting evidence including pictures, videos, screenshots, etc. can be uploaded in the report and should be provided when reporting. Hazing reports are treated with great sensitivity and we work to protect the identity of the reporting party and any named parties in the report.  

The University has a Hazing Investigation Team led by Student Accountability, Community Standards & Academic Integrity. Reports are reviewed, allegations that can be investigated independently for confirmation will be explored first, and eventually leaders, members, and potential new members of organizations may be interviewed. Many times, the University will pause or stop whatever membership or joining process is in progress while investigations are underway.  

Remember, while the Hazing Investigation Team works expeditiously, they are not emergency personnel. Call VUPS (615-421-1911) if hazing is actively occurring or there is an emergency of any kind happening in real time.

The University encourages reporting despite any real or perceived concerns of individuals or organizations facing consequences. Hazing can end tragically. All it takes is one person doing the right thing by reporting to create intervention that keeps students safe. Student safety is held first and foremost, and any consequences would be considered secondary.  

The University posts the names of organizations found responsible for hazing on the University’s Hazing Transparency Report.  

If an organization is still recognized and on campus, the University believes the organization is capable of creating safe and quality experiences for students. If an organization or team hazed and is on the Hazing Transparency Report, it indicates they made serious mistakes and they are being rectified. The sanction and action plan included on the Report signals that the University is helping the organization develop and chart a new course that does not involve hazing to join. Joining an organization with a history of hazing should still be treated with caution. Those organizations should have a clear explanation of what they are doing to change any hazing culture that exists and should be able to articulate what joining the organization will look like in the absence of hazing. If anything feels like hazing or hazing is alluded to, it should be reported and escalated immediately.  

An organization that is actively working through their sanctions often has significant action plans they are working through and a status that may limit some of the organization’s activities. Joining an organization currently being sanctioned means being willing to be part of the solution. Joining the organizations means you will be tasked with helping meet any remaining action plan requitements and that you will keep a fervent dedication to not violating policies that jeopardize the status the organization holds.