Anti-Hazing and Prevention Education Policy

Policy Statement  

Hazing is a pervasive public health issue for colleges and universities that exploits our innate desire for meaningful connection and belonging. The effects of hazing cause serious and irreparable harm to students, their families, and the university community. Recognizing the severity of this problem, Congress enacted the Stop Campus Hazing Act1 (herein referred to as the SCHA) on December 23, 2024, introducing robust measures to end hazing and promote campus safety. By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and student well-being, the legislation aims to eradicate this harmful practice and create safer environments at both institutional and national levels. 

Student organizations who identify, recruit and orient prospective members have a duty and an ongoing obligation to do so without compromising their safety or dignity, and in a fashion that advances the mission of the organization and the University.  Activities contrary to the intended purpose of the organization used to seemingly select out less committed newcomers, cause physical or emotional harm or to temporarily control the behavior of potential new members may be considered hazing.

This policy defines expectations for the university community, establishes mechanisms for determining when expectations have been violated, and further establishes requirements for hazing reporting and educational opportunities to interrupt hazing or prevent such conduct from occurring. 

This policy is effective June 23, 2025. The provisions contained therein complement and supplement the Student Code of Conduct and relevant policies articulated in the Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities Handbook (herein referred to as the SRRR), but is not an exhaustive listing of applicable policies, procedures, laws, and requirements.

Scope and Applicability  

This policy applies to all students currently enrolled at the University of New Hampshire and recognized student organizations on all UNH campuses. This policy also applies to any group wherein a number of students have formally associated with one another, but the association does not meet the requirements of registration to be identified as a recognized student organization. Examples of student groups include, but are not limited to: varsity athletic teams, intramural sports, ROTC or other military organizations, honor societies, music or theater ensembles, and university bands (e.g., concert, marching, and athletic bands).  

Potential policy violations involving individuals whose sole and primary relationship at UNH is employee, individuals pursuing educational opportunities for personal enrichment or to enhance their professional skills and knowledge but have not been admitted or conferred as ‘student’ as defined in the Code of Conduct, and non-affiliated third parties, including volunteer coaches or advisors acting in an official and professional capacity, will be referred to the responsible university office and/or law enforcement agency.

The University discourages students from attending events and associating with unrecognized groups that inappropriately operate or portray themselves as affiliates of legitimate organizations that they are not members of and are not recognized by UNH. Because these organizations are not affiliated with the University, they may not be committed to the institution’s high standards governing student behavior and organizational activities. 

Prohibited Conduct 

Hazing encompasses a range of practices and can take many forms. While some behaviors constitute hazing regardless of the context (e.g., violence, forced consumption, unlawful conduct), others depend on the circumstances. For example, athletic teams may require extensive physical fitness training, yet we do not commonly label such efforts as hazing because we intuitively understand that sports require athletes to have endurance and strength to prevent injury. However, it becomes less explicable (and likely hazing) if the same requirement existed in social fraternities, service organizations, or student governance bodies.

In the context of individuals and their relationship to an organization, executive officers, leaders, and members may be considered mutually involved in, or responsible for, an undesirable or harmful outcome because of their casual contribution, inaction or silence, or intentional participation. This involvement can be direct, such as actively participating in wrongdoing or misconduct, or indirect, such as passively accepting or enabling a negative situation.

Hazing can occur on or off campus, in person or in virtual settings. The individual subjected to hazing does not need to regard or identify the act as hazing.

Hazing – Any method, action taken, or situation created (1) for the implicit or explicit purpose of recruitment, initiation, admission, affiliation with, rite of passage, or condition of continued membership in, a group or organization; and (2) that can be reasonably perceived to produce physical or mental distress, injury, embarrassment, or ridicule, regardless of the individual’s willingness or consent to participate in the activity.

Complicity – Actively encouraging or assisting another student to engage in prohibited conduct, failing to advise another to cease behavior that constitutes prohibited conduct and leaving immediately thereafter, or failing to report violations to a university official or law enforcement officer.

Such actions or situations may include but are not limited to, acts of servitude or menial tasks; undue financial expenditures; wearing of apparel which is conspicuous or not in good taste; engaging in public stunts; degrading or humiliating games and activities; consumption of unpalatable substances, or palatable substances to excess; engaging in relevant group activities in a manner that a reasonable person would consider excessive or dangerous; or, activities inconsistent with the academic mission, organizational ritual or policy.

Federal and New Hampshire State Laws 

In addition to this policy, Federal and New Hampshire State laws make it a crime for an organization and its members to participate in hazing or for failing to report suspected hazing activities.  The University does not normally wait for the conclusion of criminal investigations or proceedings to conduct its own investigation and may take interim action to protect the university community and its members concurrently with criminal prosecution.

Under the effectuating regulations of the Stop Campus Hazing Act and for the purpose of reporting statistics, ‘Hazing’ and ‘Student Organization’ are terms used in the Stop Campus Hazing Act2 and defined in relevant parts as the following:

Hazing – Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act performed during initiation, affiliation, or membership in a student organization that poses a risk greater than the reasonable risk encountered during participation. This includes physical harm (e.g., beating, harmful substances), psychological harm (e.g., sleep deprivation, extreme activities), forced consumption of substances, sexual acts, or any act violating laws. The definition emphasizes accountability, regardless of consent.  

Student Organization – An organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

Under New Hampshire State law3, the term ‘student hazing’ is defined as:

Student Hazing – Any act directed toward a student, or any coercion or intimidation of a student to act or to participate in or submit to any act, when: 

  1. Such act is likely or would be perceived by a reasonable person as likely to cause physical or psychological injury to any person; and
  2. Such an act is a condition of initiation into, admission into, continued membership in, or association with any organization. 

Duty to Report

When situations arise that may violate this policy or another institutional regulation, the University encourages members and officers of the organization to self-report.

The community also plays an important role in ensuring the safety and security of its members. If you have witnessed, been subject to, or have information about concerning or illegal conduct that may be adversely affecting the university community, the University encourages everyone to take the necessary steps and report it to a university official or local law enforcement agency. Any crime in progress or other emergency should be reported by dialing 911 or contact UNH Police Department without delay.  

Raising a concern in good faith is a service to the University and does not jeopardize one’s behavioral standing or student status. Deliberate interference and retaliatory conduct are strictly prohibited, and students may be subject to disciplinary action even when the underlying allegations have not been proven. It is the act of making a good faith report, not the outcome, which warrants such protection. 

Time Limitation on Reporting

Consistent with the Code of Conduct, the time limit to report is twelve (12) months from the date of the alleged incident. Individuals are encouraged to report as soon as they become aware of the situation in an effort to maximize the University’s ability to respond promptly and effectively. Prompt reporting also allows the University to obtain the most reliable information, contact relevant witnesses (if any), and provide reasonable support for affected students. Prompt reporting also allows the University’s Clery Team to assess and determine if a timely warning should be sent to the campus community in the event of a serious or ongoing threat or confirm and send emergency notification in the event of an immediate threat.

In all cases, a decision will be made on existing facts to determine if an investigation and conduct proceedings are necessary to comply with the law and to serve the university community. If individual students are identified as primary bad actors who engaged in hazing in concert with the organization but are no longer a student at the time the information was reported, either because the student graduated or left the University permanently, the University is unable to pursue resolution. The Office of Community Standards will assess whether any remedial steps can be taken to address any prohibited conduct or its effects on the university community.

Options for Reporting

UNH provides a variety of options, so that each person may choose a path for response best suited to the particular situation. When making a choice about how to get help, it is also important to understand how each resource will handle this information after it has been reported. A comprehensive list of confidential, non-confidential, and anonymous reporting resources is enumerated in this policy and available with the following university offices:

Resource Phone Number
Memorial Union Building & Student Activities (603) 862-4600
Office of Off-Campus Engagement & Fraternity and Sorority Life (603) 862-1002
Campus Recreation (603) 862-2031
Air & Space Force ROTC (603) 862-1480
Army ROTC (603) 862-1078
Athletics (603) 862-4051

Anonymous Reporting

UNH’s ability to investigate reports and enforce its policy depends on the accuracy and specificity of the information provided. It should be noted that when a significant amount of time has passed, the University may be limited in its ability to respond or unable to take any action, especially when details are vague and ambiguous. 

To anonymously report suspected hazing, call (603) 862-3686 and leave a detailed message through UNH’s Hazing Hotline. 

Non-Confidential Reporting

Report concerning group behavior to the Office of Community Standards through the online reporting system found here: www.unh.edu/conduct/report. The information submitted will be reviewed by Community Standards investigative staff, and appropriate action will be taken as warranted.

Good Faith Reporters and Limited Amnesty 

The University understands that the perceived fear of disciplinary action for alcohol and drug use may act as a barrier to students seeking emergency assistance. To the extent possible, the University may provide limited amnesty to students who consumed alcohol or drugs in violation of policy, when they make a good faith report that reveals organizational culpability for hazing, if under any other circumstance, the behavior would constitute a violation under the Code of Conduct.

Amnesty, as described under the Amnesty through Responsible Action Protocol, does not forgive or cover criminal, civil, or other legal consequences for violations of federal, state, or local laws or ordinances, nor does this provision apply when the violation is directly related to the facilitation of the offense. Nothing in this policy prevents an organization from being subject to its governing body’s by-laws and procedures as appropriate.

Oversight and Enforcement

The Office of Community Standards will work collaboratively with the University Recognizing Agent or the inter/national organizational governing body to inform active members, officers and organization advisors of their responsibilities during an investigation, help student organizations under investigation understand and follow the procedures outlined in this policy, and communicate as needed with appropriate stakeholders throughout the process. 

Preliminary Review and Initiation of Formal Investigation

Initiation of a formal investigation is dependent upon an analysis of severity and reliability of information discovered prior to or during the interview process.  

Delineation of individual versus organizational misconduct is based on a number of factors, including: 

  • One or more officers or authorized representatives acting within the scope of their capacities commit the violation. 
  • One or more members commit the violation after the action that constitutes the violation was approved by a vote of the organization or was part of a committee assignment of the organization.
  • The violation was committed at an activity funded by the organization. 
  • The violation occurs during or as a result of an event sponsored by the organization. 
  • One or more members of an organization or its officers permit, encourage, aid or assist in committing a violation. 
  • Members with knowledge or information about a violation fail to report to the appropriate university authority or law enforcement agency. 

Whether conducted independently or jointly, investigations of organizational misconduct seek a reasonably expedient conclusion and follow the procedures outlined in Article IV of the Code of Conduct.

Hazing Prevention Programs

In accordance with state and federal law, the University affirms its commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus environment by implementing comprehensive, research-informed hazing prevention and awareness programs. UNH integrates both peer-reviewed scholarship and the practical knowledge of campus professionals into its prevention strategies.

These strategies are informed by ongoing dialogue with students, task group experiences, and program planning efforts. They are evaluated and adapted to meet the diverse needs of our campus community. Through education, training, policy dissemination, and community engagement, UNH aims to prevent hazing and promote a culture of accountability and communal care.

Institutional Prevention Strategies

In addition to department-specific programs, the University implements several campus-wide strategies to support hazing prevention and education. These strategies are designed to ensure that all members of the university community are informed of their rights, responsibilities, and the institution’s expectations regarding hazing and related misconduct.

UNH disseminates the Code of Conduct and the Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities (SRRR) Handbook to all students and employees on a regular cadence. This includes information on hazing policies, definitions, and reporting procedures. The SRRR is distributed through multiple channels, including during the tuition deposit process and via direct email communications. Students are required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of these policies as part of their onboarding to the University. Key policy information is also shared with the entire community annually through the University Police Department’s publication of the Annual Security Report.

Furthermore, the University provides timely notice to the campus community when new hazing-related policies or laws are introduced. This ensures that students, staff, and faculty remain informed of evolving legal and institutional standards. These efforts are supported by a coordinated approach across departments, including the Dean of Students' Office and the Office of Community Standards.

1

H.R.5646 – 118th Congress (2023-2024): Stop Campus Hazing Act.

2

Complete definitions of ‘hazing’ and ‘student organization’ and examples under the Stop Campus Hazing Act are found here. 

3

Student Hazing terms and reporting obligations are described under N.H. State Law RSA §631:7.