Stop Campus Hazing Act
PNW relies on individuals like you to identify and report hazing incidents. As a campus community member, you play an important role in creating a safe environment where students can participate without harm.
Explore this page to learn about your role and responsibilities in stopping campus hazing.
What is the Stop Campus Hazing Act?
The Stop Campus Hazing Act is federal legislation signed into law in December 2024 that improves reporting and prevention on college campuses. The law requires institutions to be more transparent about hazing incidents and implement prevention programs for students, faculty and staff.
Your Responsibilities as a Member of the Campus Community
- Dial 911 in an emergency or if anyone is in imminent danger
- Inform the reporting individual that you are required to report the incident as a confidential statistic, even if the individual does not want to report the incident for police investigation.
- Inform the reporting individual of the option to self-report the hazing to campus police or anonymously.
- Listen to the reporting individual and collect the information necessary for a thorough report.
- Report the hazing incident using the online form as soon as possible after becoming aware of the incident.
- Share support resources and how to seek medical help if necessary.
What is Hazing?
Any act that endangers physical and/or mental health or safety of a student OR any act that causes ridicule or humiliation for purposes of initiation, admission, affiliation or continued membership in a group or organization
Examples of Behaviors
- Misuse of authority by a leadership position.
- Assault by paddling, beating, striking, or hitting.
- Preventing someone from attending class
- Requiring forced physical activity or exercise
- Failing to report known hazing incidents to appropriate officials
Why Hazing is Prohibited
- Individuals are unable to consent to hazing
- Citing “tradition” is not justifiable
- Being pressured by others is not an excuse
- Each person is responsible for their own actions
Annual Security Report
Colleges must include hazing incident statistics in their Annual Security Report.
See PNW’s Annual Security Report
Campus Hazing Transparency Report
New reporting mechanism that summarizes incidents involving student organizations found in violation of hazing standards.
See PNW’s Campus Hazing Transparency Report
Why Do We Report Incidents of Hazing?
Reports of hazing are compiled in the daily crime log as well as Annual Security Reports for current and prospective students, staff and faculty to monitor the safety of PNW. Additionally, when an incident poses an ongoing threat to the campus community, Purdue will issue a Timely Warning so that others can be aware and act accordingly.
Stop Hazing Act Geography
Stop Hazing Act reportable crimes must be reported if they occurred in the following locations:
Hazing incidents that occur on campus, including student residential buildings such as dorms, must be reported.
Hazing incidents that occur on public property, including thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks and parking facilities within the campus or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus must be reported.
Any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution; or any building or property owned or controlled by an institution that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution’s educational purposes is frequently used by students and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution.