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Policies & Key Terms

Policies & Key Terms

Indiana University is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus environment—one where all students can participate in student life without fear of harm or coercion. Hazing is a serious issue that undermines this commitment. It is not only a violation of university policy but also a violation of state and federal law.

This section provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and legal frameworks that address hazing at IU and beyond. It includes:

IU policies that govern student conduct and campus safety;
State laws in Indiana that criminalize hazing and establish legal protections for those who report it;
Federal laws, including the newly enacted Stop Campus Hazing Act, that mandate transparency and prevention efforts nationwide;
Additional legal considerations, such as Title IX, the ADA, and Title VI, which may apply depending on the nature of the hazing;
Key terms to build shared understanding of what hazing is and how it manifests.

Whether you're a student, faculty member, staff leader, or visitor to campus, this information is designed to help you recognize, prevent, and respond to hazing in all its forms.

IU Policies

Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (STU-00)

The Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (STU-00) outlines the core expectations Indiana University holds for all students and student organizations across its campuses. It affirms students’ fundamental rights in the academic and campus community, while also articulating their responsibilities in upholding the values of honesty, respect, and accountability. This Code serves as a guide for student behavior, academic integrity, and personal conduct—both on and off campus—and is designed to foster a safe, inclusive, and intellectually vibrant university environment for all members of the IU community.

Student Organizations Policy (STU-01)

The IU Student Organizations Policy (STU-01) outlines how student organizations are recognized, supported, and governed at Indiana University. The policy distinguishes between University Student Organizations (USOs) and Self-Governed Student Organizations (SGSOs), clarifying the responsibilities, privileges, and expectations of each. It reflects Indiana University’s commitment to student self-governance, co-curricular engagement, and the development of leadership, inclusion, and accountability. This policy helps ensure that student organizations operate in alignment with IU’s values and legal obligations, while maintaining the freedom to express diverse ideas and foster vibrant campus communities.

Clery Act Compliance Policy (UA-16)

Indiana University's Clery Act Compliance Policy (UA-16) outlines the university's adherence to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, mandating the reporting and disclosure of specific campus crimes. With the enactment of the Stop Campus Hazing Act in December 2024, hazing incidents are now federally mandated to be reported under the Clery Act.

State Law

Under Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2.5, hazing is defined as forcing or requiring another person—with or without their consent—to perform an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury, as a condition of association with a group or organization.

Legal Penalties

The severity of the offense determines the legal consequences:

Class B Misdemeanor: Knowingly or intentionally performing hazing.
Level 6 Felony: If the hazing results in serious bodily injury.
Level 5 Felony: If the hazing is committed using a deadly weapon.

These classifications reflect the state's serious stance on hazing and its potential harm.

Good Faith Reporting Protections

Indiana law provides protections for individuals who report hazing in good faith. Specifically, those who:

Make a report of hazing in good faith;
Participate in good faith in a judicial proceeding resulting from a report of hazing;
Employ or supervise a reporting or participating person;

are not liable for civil damages or criminal penalties that might otherwise be imposed because of the report or participation.

Transparency Requirements for Colleges and Universities

In addition to criminal penalties, Indiana law mandates that public colleges and universities publish information about adjudicated hazing incidents on their websites. This includes details such as:

The date of the incident;
Findings from the investigation;
Disciplinary actions taken.

This requirement aims to increase transparency and allow students and families to make informed decisions about campus organizations.

Federal Laws

Stop Campus Hazing Act

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) is the first federal legislation aimed at combating hazing in higher education institutions. It amends the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act to enhance transparency, accountability, and prevention efforts related to hazing on college campuses.

Mandatory Reporting of Hazing Incidents

Colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs must include statistics on reported hazing incidents in their Annual Security Reports (ASRs), commonly known as “Clery Reports.” These statistics encompass incidents reported to campus security authorities or local law enforcement.

Campus Hazing Transparency Reports

Institutions are required to publicly publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report. This report must summarize findings concerning any student organization found responsible for hazing violations, including:

The name of the organization
A general description of the violation
Relevant dates (incident, investigation initiation and conclusion, and notification to the organization)

Reports are updated twice annually.

Hazing Prevention Policies and Education

Institutions must implement comprehensive hazing prevention policies. These policies should include:

Procedures for reporting hazing incidents
Processes for investigating such incidents
Information on applicable local, state, or tribal laws
Research-informed, campus-wide prevention and awareness programs targeting students, faculty, and staff

These programs should educate the campus community on the definition of hazing, reporting mechanisms, institutional policies, and prevention strategies.

Federal Definition of Hazing

The SCHA establishes a federal definition of hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed against another person, regardless of their willingness to participate, that:

Occurs in connection with initiation into, affiliation with, or maintenance of membership in a student organization
Causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury beyond what is typically encountered in the course of participation in the institution or organization

Examples include physical abuse, forced consumption of substances, sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, and activities inducing fear of bodily harm.

Other Laws Relevant to Campus Hazing

In addition to the Stop Campus Hazing Act, several federal laws may apply depending on the specific nature of a hazing incident. Hazing is often not an isolated behavior—it can overlap with other forms of misconduct or criminal activity. Institutions are obligated to address such incidents under multiple legal frameworks:

Criminal Activity: If hazing involves crimes such as assault, theft, or alcohol and drug violations, institutions must report these incidents in their Annual Security Report under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.
Sexual or Gender-Based Misconduct: When hazing includes sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination, it must be addressed under Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities.
Discrimination Based on Protected Characteristics: Hazing that targets individuals based on race, national origin (Title VI), disability (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act), or other protected categories may trigger additional legal responsibilities for investigation, support, and resolution.

Colleges and universities are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws when responding to hazing, particularly when the behavior intersects with civil rights protections or constitutes criminal conduct.

Key Terms

The below terms help provide a common language for students, staff, and administrators to recognize, report, and respond to hazing.

Hazing: Hazing is defined as any conduct that subjects another individual to a risk of physical or psychological harm greater than a reasonable risk of group participation, in the course of initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a team, group or organization as a condition of association with a team, group, or organization. Hazing can occur regardless of the individual's consent or lack of consent. This behavior includes, but is not limited to, direct or indirect written, verbal, physical or electronic actions or inactions.

Student Organization: Any group officially recognized by or associated with a college or university, including fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, clubs, honor societies, and performance groups.

Consent (in the context of hazing): Voluntary agreement to participate does not eliminate the possibility that an act is hazing. If the behavior is harmful, coercive, or conducted in a group context with a power imbalance, it may still be considered hazing even if a participant “agreed” to it.

Reckless Conduct: Actions taken without regard to potential consequences that may endanger the health, safety, or well-being of others. In hazing, this might include forced physical activity or consumption of substances.

Initiation: The process or ceremony of becoming a member of a group. Many hazing incidents are framed as “traditions” during initiation periods, but harmful acts under this label may still be unlawful.

Affiliation or Membership Maintenance: Hazing doesn’t just occur during joining; it can also happen after membership is established, such as when returning members are expected to “prove loyalty” through risky or humiliating activities.

Physical Hazing: Acts that cause or have the potential to cause physical harm, such as beating, forced physical exertion, deprivation of sleep or food, exposure to extreme temperatures, or forced consumption of substances.

Psychological or Emotional Hazing: Behaviors intended to intimidate, shame, degrade, or emotionally distress someone, including public humiliation, isolation, verbal abuse, or threats.

Coercion: The use of pressure, intimidation, or threats to make someone do something against their will. In hazing, coercion can be subtle or overt and often relies on peer pressure or fear of exclusion.

Tradition or Custom (in the context of hazing): Rituals or activities passed down in a group, sometimes used to justify harmful or inappropriate behavior. The term “tradition” does not excuse actions that qualify as hazing under law or policy.

Retaliation: Any adverse action taken against someone who reports hazing or participates in an investigation. Retaliation is prohibited by federal law and institutional policy.