UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With the week of Sept. 19-23 marking National Hazing Prevention Week, Penn State is reminding all students of their obligation to protect the safety and welfare of their peers by eliminating hazing.
Hazing is illegal and against University policy. Penn State defines hazing as “any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or that willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any registered student organization.”
Student safety is a top priority at Penn State, and the University will investigate every allegation of hazing to the fullest extent possible. Any individual or organization found responsible for hazing is subject to University discipline that may include expulsion from Penn State or termination of University employment.
Individuals and organizations also are subject to criminal prosecution and the forfeiture of property. Under Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, passed in October 2018, hazing in the commonwealth can lead to a felony conviction and a possible prison sentence. The law is named after Timothy Piazza, who tragically died in February 2017 after being hazed at the chapter house of the now permanently banned Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Penn State.
The law establishes a tiered penalty system with stricter punishments for hazing; classifies new types of hazing; holds both individuals and organizations accountable for hazing; and requires secondary schools and institutions of higher education to publish anti-hazing policies. It applies to all organizations, including athletic teams, clubs, service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and similar groups.
The law also provides immunity for individuals in need of medical assistance as a result of hazing or underage alcohol consumption, as well as for those who seek help for others, as long as the caller notifies the proper authorities, believes they are the first caller, provides their name, and stays with the person until authorities arrive. Click here for more information about Pennsylvania's Medical Amnesty Law and Penn State's Responsible Action Protocol.
Students and other community members can take action to prevent hazing by:
- Learning to recognize hazing and reporting incidents.
- Resisting anyone who encourages you to join hazing activities.
- Notifying police and appropriate University staff if you are aware of a potential incident.
Penn State offers anti-hazing training through Prevent.Zone, a two-course virtual learning experience that teaches how to identify, prevent and report hazing. For the 2021-22 academic year, 87% of students who took the training reported afterward that they feel less inclined to take part in hazing, 87% indicated that they are more likely to report hazing if they see it, and 85% said they feel more empowered to prevent hazing on campus. Access to the training is available to anyone with a Penn State login.
To report instances of hazing by an individual or within any University-affiliated or recognized organization or group, contact the Office of Ethics and Compliance, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response or the Penn State Hotline, or submit a report through an anonymous online form. In an emergency, call 911 or contact Penn State Police at 814-863-1111.
National Hazing Prevention Week programming
During National Hazing Prevention Week (Sept. 19-23), the Penn State Panhellenic Council, with support from the Penn State Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, will offer educational activities and events to raise awareness around the issue of hazing. Created by HazingPrevention.org in 2007, National Hazing Prevention Week is an initiative that focuses on educating university communities about hazing and encouraging students and others to take a stand against hazing.
Hazing Prevention Week programming will include:
- Throughout September: Panhellenic Council chapters will receive weekly stories about past incidents of hazing from across the country that can be read and discussed at chapter meetings. The goal of this activity is to educate members on the dangers of hazing and for students to explore additional ways to bond and build relationships without hazing.
- Monday, Sept. 19: Timothy J. Piazza Memorial Foundation Fundraiser. Students will post a bingo board to their social media stories to raise money for the foundation.
- Tuesday, Sept. 20: Wear Purple for Hazing Prevention Awareness. Students — and all community members — are encouraged to wear the color purple to spread awareness of hazing prevention.
- Tuesday, Sept. 20: “These Hands DONUT Haze.” Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council students will distribute anti-hazing resources and ask students to sign the pledge against hazing from noon to 3 p.m. on the first floor of the HUB-Robeson Center.
- Wednesday, Sept. 21: Sisterhood and Brotherhood Wall. Students can stop by from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and add a note to the wall about how to build sisterhood and brotherhood without hazing. The wall will be located on the first floor of the HUB-Robeson Center.
- Thursday, Sept. 22: “Love, Mom and Dad” screening. From 6-7 p.m. in 121 Sparks Building, students can view a recording of “Love, Mom and Dad” presented by the parents of two hazing victims, Timothy Piazza and Max Gruver.
- Friday, Sept. 23: “These Hands Don't Haze” campaign. Students will post photos and stories on social media with the hashtag #thesehandsdonthaze and tag @pennstatephc.
Additional information about hazing prevention programming and resources is available from the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. For more information about National Hazing Prevention Week 2022, visit HazingPrevention.org.