5 things families should know about hazing
College offers students many opportunities to meet people, explore their interests and find communities where they feel like they belong. Whether they join a club, team, fraternity or sorority, academic program or another group, these experiences can become an important part of college life.
Sometimes, though, group expectations and traditions can cross a line into hazing. Families can play an important role by knowing what hazing looks like, noticing potential warning signs or concerning behaviors and creating opportunities for students to talk about their experiences.
Here are five things to know.
1. Hazing can happen in many kinds of groups
Hazing can happen in any group where students are joining, participating or trying to gain status.
This can include:
- Fraternities and sororities
- Student organizations and clubs
- Sport clubs and athletic teams
- Student employment teams
- Academic programs, cohorts, labs and research groups
- Performance groups
- Informal friend groups and student communities
Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers them, regardless of whether they are willing to participate.
Hazing may be described as a tradition, bonding experience, team-building activity or rite of passage. What an activity is called matters less than what students are expected to do and how it affects their health, safety and well-being.
Learn more about hazing prevention and reporting.
2. Hazing isn’t always obvious
Some forms of hazing can be more visible, such as physical violence or forced alcohol consumption. Others can be more subtle.
Hazing can include:
- Sleep deprivation or excessive physical demands
- Forced or pressured alcohol or substance use
- Being denied food, water or other basic needs
- Demeaning or targeted name-calling
- Public humiliation or embarrassing activities
Requiring new members to perform personal errands or services for other members
Forced isolation or exclusion
- Threats, intimidation or interrogation
- Sexual harassment or unwanted sexual contact
- Dangerous or risky activities
- Secrecy or pressure to hide group activities
Sometimes an individual activity may not seem particularly concerning on its own. Pay attention to patterns of pressure, secrecy, unequal treatment or escalating expectations.
Students deserve opportunities to build friendships, traditions and a sense of belonging without having to earn acceptance through humiliation, fear, coercion or harm.
3. Know the signs that something may be wrong
Students may not always identify what they’re experiencing as hazing. They may also be reluctant to talk about it because they care about the group, want to fit in or worry about what could happen if they speak up.
Families may notice changes such as:
- Being unusually tired or experiencing significant changes in sleep
- Missing class, work or other commitments because of group activities
- Becoming more anxious, withdrawn or secretive
- Suddenly having little time for friends, academics or activities outside the group
- Expressing fear or anxiety about disappointing other group members
- Describing traditions or expectations that sound humiliating, coercive, unsafe or harmful
- Having unexplained injuries or changes in physical well-being
- Seeming worried about what will happen if they don't participate in an activity
- Being unusually secretive about what happens during group activities
One change doesn’t necessarily mean your student is experiencing hazing. Instead, consider changes in the context of what you know about your student and pay attention if something doesn’t seem right.
4. Start a conversation and listen
If you’re concerned, ask open-ended questions that give your student room to talk about their experience.
You might ask:
- “How are things going with your group?”
- “What kinds of activities have you been doing together?”
- “You seem exhausted lately. What’s been keeping you so busy?”
- “How do you feel about the group’s traditions?”
- “What happens if someone doesn’t want to participate?”
Listen without judgment and try not to jump immediately into problem-solving. Students may be more willing to share when they know they can talk openly without being blamed, criticized or pressured to make an immediate decision.
If they share something concerning, remind them that they deserve to be safe and supported. You can help them think through their options and connect with campus resources when they're ready.
You also don’t need to determine whether something officially qualifies as hazing before reaching out for guidance.
5. Know where to turn for help
If you become concerned about possible hazing, encourage your student to seek support and report what is happening.
Report suspected hazing
Suspected hazing involving CU Boulder students can be reported to Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution (SCCR). Students, family members and others can share concerns even if they aren’t certain whether an activity meets the definition of hazing.
Reporting concerns early gives the university an opportunity to review the information, assess potential risks, follow up as appropriate and connect students or organizations with resources.
Find support
Your student can also seek confidential support or help navigating their options. Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and counseling for students who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic, disturbing or disruptive event, including hazing.
Student Outreach, Advocacy & Support (SOAS) can help students navigate challenging situations and connect with campus and community resources. Families can also contact SOAS for guidance if they are concerned about their student’s well-being and aren’t sure what support they may need.
You don’t have to have all the answers before reaching out. Sharing a concern can be an important first step in helping your student get support.