Hazing: Issues, Policies, and Resources

I. Introduction: Hazing at Princeton ...... 2 II. Princeton’s Hazing Policy ...... 4 III. Resources for Students ...... 6 Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing ...... 7 Is It Hazing? ...... 8 Common Unacceptable Practices ...... 10 Evaluating Your New Member Activities ...... 11 Have Fun, Be Safe ...... 13 Moving Forward ...... 16 Is my friend being hazed? ...... 17 Myths and Facts About Hazing ...... 18

I. Introduction: Hazing at Princeton

Hazing is a critical issue at Princeton, as at all residential colleges and universities nationwide.

In recent years, tragedies stemming from hazing activities at many of our peer schools have made headlines.1 Hazing has been connected with other dangerous and anti-social activities. Social science research suggests that hazing is enabled by the same social power dynamics that lead to and promote sexual misconduct and high-risk consumption of alcohol, and that requiring, encouraging, or intimidating new or prospective members to drink or perform sexual acts are two of the most frequent hazing activities among college students.2 And yet, students at many universities attest that hazing often goes unrecognized as such.

Outreach by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students suggests that hazing at Princeton may be influenced by the following perceptions and misperceptions that are unique to our culture:

Competition. Princeton has a variety of student organizations that require audition or recruitment processes. Because there are so many talented individuals on campus, often spots for performance, athletic, or social groups are limited. This high stakes sense of competition may lead to an atmosphere where more intense recruitment or initiation practices occur, often crossing the line into hazing.

“Tradition.” Because the University itself and many of its student organizations have a long history, students may tend to justify certain initiation activities as “tradition.” This misguided emphasis can put new or prospective members of these groups at a higher risk of hazing.

Pressure to “consent.” In their social/residential lives as well as their academic experiences, many Princeton students aspire to maintain an appearance of effortless perfection. Despite the fact that “consent” is not a defense to hazing, some students will acquiesce in activities that are potentially daring, embarrassing, or uncomfortable rather than risk their reputation by objecting. Some students may also be unwilling to be perceived as victims, arguing “I went along with it willingly” or “I wanted to do it” in order to maintain an illusion of control over the situation.

1 E.g.: Michael Winerip, “When a Hazing Goes Very Wrong,” The New York Times, April 12, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/education/edlife/a-hazing-at-cornell.html retrieved February 1, 2016; Richard Perez-Pena, “Dartmouth Cites Student Misconduct in its Ban on Liquor,” The New York Times, January 29, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/30/us/in-response-to-student-misconduct-dartmouth-to-ban-hard- liquor-at-parties.html retrieved February 1, 2016. 2 Elizabeth Allen and Mary Madden, Hazing in View: College Students at Risk. Rep. N.p.: Stop Hazing Organization, 2008. Print.

Pressure to “measure up.” Misperceptions about “tradition” and the concern with effortless perfection may give rise to unhelpful fictional comparisons between a current Princeton student and older students or alumni/ae. Students report hearing their peers justify participation in hazing by saying: “If ____ could handle it, I can handle it too,” or “If ____ did it, it can’t be that bad.”

Timing. Certain times of the year on the Princeton calendar correspond with students’ acceptance to clubs, teams, or other organizations. September, February, and April are characterized by high social pressure and students may see an uptick in hazing activities at these times of the year.

Lack of awareness. Despite all of the above, Princeton students may mistakenly believe that because hazing has such a strong association nationwide with Greek life, hazing is not an issue at Princeton, which does not recognize Greek organizations or permit freshmen to affiliate with them. Likewise, because hazing is sometimes associated with athletic teams, students may not understand that hazing can occur in any type of student organization. Students who experience hazing here may use different terminology to explain these activities, or may excuse or explain away experiences that don’t fit neatly into how they conceptualize hazing. For the same reasons, even well-intentioned leaders of teams, clubs, and student organizations may be unaware that their new member program or “initiations” activities are unacceptable.

Summary: Hazing is a serious problem among all college students, and takes on certain distinctive characteristics at Princeton. Active communication and education about this issue, in a way that addresses challenges unique to Princeton, are needed in order to prevent hazing.

II. Princeton’s Hazing Policy

Rights, Rules, Responsibilities 2.2.7 states:

2. A broad range of behaviors that may place another person in danger of bodily injury or behavior that demonstrates indifference or disregard for another person's dignity or well-being may be classified as hazing. Examples include but are not limited to the following:

(a) forced or required ingestion of alcohol, food, drugs, or any undesirable substance. (b) participation in sexual rituals or assaults. (c) mentally abusive or demeaning behavior. (d) acts that could result in physical, mental, or emotional deprivation or harm. (e) physical abuse, e.g., whipping, paddling, beating, tattooing, branding, and exposure to the elements.

What are the consequences of hazing?

A range of penalties including disciplinary probation and campus service may follow, and students have been suspended for hazing under this policy. The Faculty-Student Committee on Discipline and the Residential College Disciplinary Board adjudicate and mete out penalties for acts of hazing.

Here are some common misconceptions about the University’s hazing policy:

Myth: We told the freshmen that they didn’t have to [streak, drink, shoplift, etc.] if they didn’t want to, so it’s not hazing. Fact: There is no “consent” defense to hazing.

Myth: If we just threaten to haze them, but don’t actually do anything, that’s not a violation. Fact: The Committee on Discipline has sanctioned students for threatening others with hazing, even when no other behaviors meeting the definition of hazing have followed.

Myth: Only the people organizing a hazing activity can be punished for it, not the people participating. Fact: It is a violation to “engage in” hazing, as well as to “encourage others to engage in” hazing.

III. Resources for Students

Developed by a Princeton undergraduate, this section includes three resources for students who are committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming, inclusive environment for their peers, free of hazing.

Do Your Part: A Resource for Student Groups Against Hazing

This guide is a resource for student leaders who are wondering how hazing policy could impact their club, team, or organization. It includes an evaluation of current practices, 65 creative alternatives to hazing, and considerations when creating a new/prospective member itinerary.

Is My Friend Being Hazed?

This document describes common signs indicating that a student may be experiencing hazing.

Myths and Facts About Hazing

This document debunks common misconceptions about hazing. This is a resource both for students and coaches/administrators who want to know how to understand and address hazing.

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing

Princeton is committed to protecting the wellbeing and safety of those who wish to join a student organization, team, or club. Hazing is a real problem that may cause long-term physical and psychological effects. This guide is meant as a resource to help you understand Princeton’s prohibition on hazing in the context of your student organization.

According to Rights, Rules, Responsibilities:

1. Any student shall have the right to be free of all activities which might constitute hazing, while attempting to become a member of a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, student organization, eating club, or other campus organization. Organizations, their members, and their prospective members are prohibited from engaging in or encouraging others to engage in activities that are defined as hazing. 2. A broad range of behaviors that may place another person in danger of bodily injury or behavior that demonstrates indifference or disregard for another person's dignity or well-being may be classified as hazing. As a student leader in your organization, it is your responsibility to think critically about Princeton’s hazing policy as it applies to your current and future initiation or recruitment practices. You are encouraged to familiarize yourself with, and make use of, the resources in this guide.

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing Is It Hazing? Is your team or group engaging in new member activities that are acceptable and allowable under Princeton policy, and the law?

Consider these questions:

• Is the activity meant to be a secret, or kept from outsiders?

If the answer is yes…secrecy often surrounds hazing.

• Is there an expectation or pressure that every new member must perform or participate?

If the answer is yes…even if a member consents to the activity, it may still be hazing. This is especially true if there is a pressure to prove that you are worthy to join the group by participating, or an unspoken understanding that if you don’t participate, you won’t get in or be accepted.

• Would I feel comfortable telling my parents, my coach, or the president of the university about this activity?

If the answer is no…why is this the case?

• Is the activity referred to as “tradition?”

If the answer is yes…sometimes, but not always, a common excuse for hazing is that the practice is “tradition” or integral to the club or organization’s culture. Rethink: what values are you really promoting with this activity? What values do you want to promote on your team/club?

• Are specific individuals singled out?

If the answer is yes…hazing often involves making individuals feel uncomfortable through criticism or ridicule in the name of “testing” or “character-building.”

• Would you feel comfortable explaining this activity to a future employer?

If the answer is no…why not?

• Will this activity promote friendships and break the ice between old and new members?

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing If the answer is no…hazing often places older members in a place of dominance and new or prospective members in a place of submission. This can lead to a power dynamic that more easily creates an environment of harm.

• Does the activity meet the standards outlined in Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities?

If the answer is no…stop doing it. The Committee on Discipline has suspended students for organizing and/or participating in hazing activities.

• Would older members of the group refuse to participate in this activity?

If the answer is no…this is often a sign of hazing.

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing Common Unacceptable Practices All of the following activities violate Princeton’s policy against hazing, and may be crimes in the State of New Jersey. If your organization practices any of these activities, rethink the risk that you’re taking. Is it really worth it?

The following are taken from the Stop Hazing organization (www.stophazing.org):

• Forced or coerced consumption of alcohol • Being yelled at or cursed at by other members of the team or group • Sleep deprivation • Ingestion of vile substances • Branding • Simulate or imitate sex acts • Associate with certain people and not others • Forced or coerced shaving of heads or other body parts • Personal servitude (making someone do your chores) • Inflict violence on someone • Be whipped, kicked, or beaten • Perform sex acts • Public nudity • Make prank phone calls or harass others • Wear embarrassing clothing • Deprive self of regular hygiene practices (e.g., brushing teeth, bathing/showering) • Destroy or steal property • Cheat or help others cheat on an exam • “Drop-offs” or “dumps” in unfamiliar locations • Lock-ups or being confined to small spaces • Physical restraints

Other prohibited activities emphasized at Princeton:

• Requirements that new members must change their schedule in a way that keeps them from functioning according to their normal schedule academically, socially, etc. (For example: A prospective member must sleep in an older member’s dorm for three weeks on end. ) • “Spotlighting:” the practice of subjecting prospective new members to isolation under a spotlight where they are asked embarrassing and highly personal questions, or any variation of this practice • Addressing prospective members in demeaning terms • Forcing or pressuring a prospective member to demean another prospective member.

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing Evaluating Your New Member Activities How well do your current initiation or recruitment activities promote the following?

1= not at all, 5 =very well

New and prospective members understand the history and values of our club, team, or organization.

1 2 3 4 5

Our prospective members feel reasonably comfortable talking with older members and are excited about formal membership.

1 2 3 4 5

Our current recruitment activities are a true taste of what it’s like to be in this club, team, or organization for older members.

1 2 3 4 5

Our new member activities do not unduly take away from the members’ participation in academics, sports, or other activities. In fact, new members are encouraged to maintain a healthy balance and lifestyle, even during recruitment.

1 2 3 4 5

Based on our initiation activities, an outsider could say that our older members are genuinely concerned with the fun, safety, and physical and psychological well- being of prospective members.

1 2 3 4 5

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing I would feel comfortable if an administrator such as President Eisgruber sat in on our activities for prospective members.

1 2 3 4 5

Based on this activity…

List two parts of your new member practices that you want to continue:

1) ______

2) ______

Why do you want to continue them?

List two parts of your new member practices that you think you should change or do better:

1) ______

2) ______

Is there anything that has to stop?

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing Have Fun, Be Safe Some of the following ideas are suggestions for bonding as an organization, while some are suggestions for activities with prospective members during a recruitment process.

1. Do a ropes course or another teambuilding activity (campus rec has many, many options) 2. Have prospective members perform skits 3. Have a members camping trip or retreat 4. Have a dinner/movie night 5. Have new members do a ‘lock in’ in which they have to work together to accomplish a scavenger hunt/challenge 6. Play charades or reverse charades with prospective members 7. Visit the climbing wall as a group 8. Have a ping pong or ‘water pong’ tournament 9. Have a costume night and judge who has the best costume 10. Play jeopardy 11. Karaoke 12. Zumba or another dancing activity 13. Rock/paper/scissors tournament 14. Arm wrestling tournament 15. Have prospective members go on a members scavenger hunt (ex: “The senior who can ride a unicycle has the first clue”) 16. Play pool together 17. Group fitness session (make it a competition among volunteers—who wants to compete to see who can do the most push-ups?) 18. Play lawn games (ex: cornhole/bags) or even indoor versions of lawn games, depending on the weather 19. Dedicate part of a day for new members to help repair, clean, or fix up the organization’s equipment, house, room, etc. 20. Do a new member Olympics 21. Assign Bigs and Littles and have Littles shadow Bigs for an evening or weekend. 22. Do a ‘secret buddy’ gift exchange 23. Ask prospective members to tell jokes or stories to get to know them better 24. Have prospective or new members brainstorm ideas for community service projects. 25. Go for a group kayaking trip on the canal 26. Invite an alumnus to talk about the history of the organization 27. For prospective members, do ice breakers such as 10-word stories (if you had to tell your life story in ten words or less, what would it be?), or two truths and a lie (I’m going

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing to tell you three facts about myself—two are truths and one is a lie. Can you guess the lie?) 28. Have prospective members suggest theme nights for social events throughout the year. See who can come up with the best idea. 29. Have new members plan a group barbecue or surprise party for older members. 30. Host a poker night 31. Have prospective members speak about their favorite experience so far with the organization, club, or team 32. Ask prospective members to make up a song or jingle about themselves 33. Have a board game night or a board game competition 34. Have a video game tournament with a popular game 35. Have a candlelight or “pass the torch ceremony” about what the team/group means to each person, or why prospective members want to join 36. Throw a new member picnic 37. “Speed dating:” Arrange two circles: prospective members on the outside and new members on the inside, facing each other. Have a facilitator give a topic of conversation or ask a question. Have each person answer for a minute or two, then move on to a new partner and a new question. 38. Throw a bonfire (following allowable guidelines) 39. Go for a group hike 40. Depending on the weather, have a water balloon or water games event. 41. Have new members plan a social event with another team, organization, or group. 42. Have a lip sync competition among prospective members 43. Go on a new member fishing trip 44. Play paintball or go bowling 45. Have a senior member/ new members dinner or lunch 46. Have an alumni mixer 47. Have new members or prospective members plan a tailgate at an athletic event, especially if older members are on a team 48. Go ice skating as a group 49. Go see a play or performance 50. ‘Lava ball:’ Have a group of new/prospective members stand in one room with a beach ball and designate an amount of time. They can’t allow the ball to touch the ground for that entire time. See which group can do this for the designated amount of time, or just see who can keep the ball in the air for the longest. 51. Have ‘study nights’ throughout the week; reserve space in a library for your group to do academic work together. Have members rotate for providing snacks. 52. Go to a local Princeton-area restaurant together

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing 53. Go to Terhune Orchards 54. Have new members plan a creative fundraiser to help cover the costs of their group/initiation dues, or for an activities fund. 55. Throw a “garden party” in the garden by Forbes. 56. Have career or resume-writing workshops for juniors and seniors 57. Host a cooking class 58. Ask prospective/new members to arrange themselves in a line alphabetically, based on birthday, height, etc. Then, have each person introduce themselves. To step it up a notch, once they complete the task, ask participants to do this blindfolded, if they feel comfortable and up for the challenge. 59. Have new members do trust falls (while older members catch) 60. Have new members cook a meal together, then eat it together with older members. 61. Have a talent competition among prospective members. 62. ‘DJ:’ Have a social event where each prospective and current member plays their favorite song, or a couple favorite songs, to get to know people’s taste in music. If the same song is played twice, make sure the two ‘DJ’s meet. 63. Have a silly string party (make sure you let people know in advance to wear appropriate clothes, and clean up after yourselves) 64. Ask each prospective member to bring an object that represents their culture, history, or story, then mingle and share the significance with an older member. 65. Have prospective members perform relay races with different challenges (leap frog, etc)

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing Moving Forward Be creative. Use your intelligence not only to brainstorm activities that are fun and safe for new or prospective members, but think about the unique culture and aspects of your club, organization, or team.

What makes your organization special? How can you convey that to new or prospective members? How can you make your organization attractive to prospective members?

Be on the same page: Make sure that all the current members of your club or team debrief before a recruitment or initiation process together. Everyone should be aware of the expectations, goals, and even timetables for the process.

What do we really want to know about prospective members? Do our activities accomplish this? What are the characteristics we value in a potential member of our club or team? How can we gear our activities towards identifying or developing these values in prospective or new members?

What are the assets of your group, and how can you use them to your advantage? Does your group or organization have a big meeting space? If you do, use that asset strategically, especially in a recruitment process. For example, use space creatively to make an environment where current members can get to know initiates on multiple levels. Consider using one room for more athletic-based activities or music/dance, using one room for louder activities like “speed dating,” or other games, and using another room for quieter conversation and opportunities to get to know prospective members on a deeper level. Consider bringing in prospective members in groups of 2-4 to talk with them in this quieter space, as older members rotate in and out.

What are the assets of my organization in terms of space, time, or money? How can we budget for team or initiation activities? How can we prioritize our activities based on the most important values of our organization? How can we creatively use the assets that we have and “play to our strengths?”

Remember…There are real consequences for hazing, and ignorance is not an excuse. Make sure you are aware of what is or isn’t acceptable. If that means running potential activities by an administrator to make sure it’s okay, or further clarifying the hazing policy, take that step. It is always better to ask.

Do Your Part: A Guide for Student Groups against Hazing

Is my friend being hazed? There are common signs that indicate someone may be experiencing hazing.

• Is my friend intoxicated more frequently, especially for prolonged periods of time or at odd hours of the day or night? • Is my friend disappearing in unexplained ways throughout the day or week, or perhaps for an unplanned weekend trip? • Is my friend obviously fatigued? • Does my friend have new bruises, marks, cuts, or other injuries appearing all at once or in close succession? • Is my friend dressing in a way that is inappropriate or out of the ordinary? • Does my friend have new tattoos, body piercings, or shavings that match other members of the group or team? • Is my friend hanging out with close friends less often, or constantly making excuses for being busy? • Has my friend lost excitement, interest, or enthusiasm for academics, a sport, or other activities they usually enjoy? • Is my friend missing class in a consistent and unexplained way?

What can I do?

If you believe a friend is being hazed…

Consider approaching them in a non-confrontational way to show your care and concern.

-if they are experiencing distress, consider encouraging them to talk with someone at CPS.

-if the behaviors continue, consider reporting your concerns to your Director of Student Life or another administrator.

Hazing is a problem with long-term consequences. If a roommate, friend, or another student is being hazed, don’t take the risk of doing nothing.

Is My Friend Being Hazed? Myths and Facts About Hazing

Myth #1: Hazing is a problem for fraternities and sororities primarily. Fact: Hazing is a societal problem. Hazing incidents have been frequently documented in the military,athletic teams, marching bands, religious cults, professional schools and other types of clubs and/or,organizations. Reports of hazing activities in high schools are on the rise.

Myth #2: Hazing is no more than foolish pranks that sometimes go awry. Fact: Hazing is an act of power and control over others --- it is victimization. Hazing is premeditated and NOT accidental. Hazing is abusive, degrading and often life-threatening.

Myth #3: As long as there's no malicious intent, a little hazing should be O.K. Fact: Even if there's no malicious "intent", safety may still be a factor in traditional hazing activities that are considered to be "all in good fun." Besides, what purpose do such activities serve in promoting the growth and development of group team members?

Myth #4: Hazing is an effective way to teach respect and develop discipline. Fact: First of all, respect must be EARNED--not taught. Victims of hazing rarely report having respect for those who have hazed them. Just like other forms of victimization, hazing breeds mistrust, apathy and alienation.

Myth #5: If someone agrees to participate in an activity, it can't be considered hazing. Fact: In states that have laws against hazing, consent of the victim can't be used as a defense in a civil suit. This is because even if someone agrees to participate in a potentially hazardous action it may not be true consent when considering the peer pressure and desire to belong to the group.

Myth #6: It's difficult to determine whether or not a certain activity is hazing--it's such a gray area sometimes. Fact: It's not difficult to decide if an activity is hazing if you use common sense. Is this activity showing concern for the well-being for all members of the group? Besides, when in doubt, you can always ask an administrator.

Myths and Facts About Hazing Myth # 7: Princeton doesn’t happen at Princeton. Fact: Yes, hazing does happen at Princeton, and can happen in any student organization too.

Excuses you may hear about hazing….

If “it’s tradition…” then be the group that CHANGES the tradition for the better.

“People will get much worse in the real world anyway...” When is the last time an adult you know and respect went to work and was forced to imitate sex acts, eat gross foods, or be degraded? Hazing is never “preparation” for the real world. There are much better ways to prepare for post-graduation life than forced participation in uncomfortable activities.

“We’re not forcing anyone to join our club/group/team. If they don’t want to go through this, they don’t have to sign up/try out/join…” This excuse ignores the many social factors that may make someone want to join a group. Think about it: if you want to be in a social group with your friends, does that automatically mean you also want to be beaten? Desire to join a group is not consent for whatever the group makes you do or a free pass for older members. Regardless of their choice to try out or join, a student should never be hazed.

These myths and facts are taken from www.stophazing.org, a national Hazing Prevention Website. Myths and facts specific to Princeton have been added.

Myths and Facts About Hazing