Hazing Definition 
Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether physical, mental, emotional, or psychological, that subjects another person—regardless of willingness—to anything that may abuse, degrade, humiliate, or endanger them, and is done as a condition of initiation, admission, affiliation, or continued membership in a group or organization, including but not limited to student organizations, athletic teams, club sports teams, fraternities, sororities, bands, or student government. Such acts cause or create a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered during participation in the institution of higher education and RPI. 

Examples of hazing may include, but are not limited to: 

• Forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, or other substances such as food or liquids. 
• Physical restraint, beatings, paddling, whipping, striking, electronic shocking, or placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body 
• Sleep deprivation or creation of excessive fatigue. 
• Required calisthenics. 
• Forced kidnapping, exposure to the elements, or confinement in a small space. 
• Forced, coerced, or induced sexual simulations or sexual acts. 
• Activities that place another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through verbal abuse or threats. 
• Activities causing unreasonable mental stress. 
• Required, induced or coerced acts that are degrading or that cause public embarrassment or humiliation. 
• Required, induced, or coerced participation in illegal activities.  
• Mandatory work sessions that interfere with scholastic activities. 
• Activities which are not normally performed by the active membership or not consistent with organizational, local, State, or Federal law, ritual, or policy.

• Any form of hazing conducted by individuals or groups affiliated with the Institute.
• Any form of hazing conducted by any group in which two or more members are students enrolled in RPI, regardless of whether the group or organization is established with or recognized by RPI.
• Planning, promoting, facilitating, or knowingly allowing hazing to occur.
• Failing to report known or suspected incidents of hazing. 

This policy applies to behavior occurring both on- and off-campus and at any time during a student’s enrollment. RPI will promptly investigate all allegations of hazing and will take appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action as necessary. Consent is not a defense to hazing under this policy.

Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including: 

• Probation, suspension, or expulsion for individuals
• Suspension or revocation of recognition for organizations
• Referral to law enforcement

RPI prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports hazing or participates in an investigation. Acts of retaliation will be treated as separate and serious violations of Institute policy.

New York State Education Law Article 129-A required higher education institutions to adopt rules to prohibit, among other things, any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization.  

NYS law also prohibits hazing, specifically as follows: 

New York State Penal Law: 

§ 120.16 Hazing in the first degree
A person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when, in the course of another person's initiation into or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including, but not limited to, making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such injury. 

Hazing in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor. 

 § 120.17 Hazing in the second degree
A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course  of another person's initiation or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including, but not limited to, making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person.

Hazing in the second degree is a violation. 

Prevention and education planning efforts shall involve engagement with relevant campus stakeholders; identification of campus-specific issues and contributing factors related to hazing; development and implementation of targeted strategies to address those issues; evaluation of the effectiveness of such strategies; and modification of efforts as necessary to ensure continued improvement and compliance.

RPI will offer ongoing training for: 

• Student leaders
• Advisors
• Athletic staff and coaches
• Faculty and staff
• Fraternity and Sorority Life
• Student Living and Learning staff

All incoming students and new members of student organizations will receive mandatory research-informed hazing prevention education that includes:  

• The definition of hazing
• Risks, warning signs, and consequences of hazing
• How to prevent, identify, and report hazing

The training will highlight primary prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before it occurs and will address topics the topics of bystander intervention, ethical leadership, and the promotion of strategies for building group cohesion without hazing.

Any student, faculty, staff, or community member may report hazing anonymously or directly via: 

• RPI Hazing Reporting Hotline at 518-276-4293
• Online Hazing Reporting Form
• Dean of Students Office, Academy Hall, 4th Floor, Suite 4629; P: 518-276-6266
• Public Safety, 15th Street, P: 518-276-6611 (emergency); 518-276-6656 (non-emergency)

Reports of incidents of hazing will be investigated in accordance with the process set forth in the Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities on the student judicial system. 

Allegations of hazing will be investigated pursuant to the procedures established in the Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities, as governed by the student judicial system. 

Criminal investigations may also be conducted upon a report of hazing depending on the circumstances presented. 

To comply with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, RPI shall maintain a publicly accessible hazing incident log. The log includes the following items when available: 

• the date(s) on which the incident was alleged to have occurred;
• the organization name(s);
• the nature of the incident;
• the date on which the investigation into the incident was initiated;
• the date on which the investigation ended;
• a general description of the violation that resulted in a finding of responsibility, including whether the violation involved the misuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs;
• the investigative findings of the Institute;
• the date on which the Institution provided notice to the student organization that the incident resulted in a hazing violation;
• any sanctions imposed on the student organization by the Institution, as applicable. 

The log shall exclude any personally identifiable information and shall be updated no less than twice annually. All records will be maintained for a minimum period of seven years in accordance with institutional recordkeeping practices. 

RPI shall include all reported incidents of hazing, hazing-related statistics, and educational initiatives in its Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Report), in accordance with applicable federal requirements. 

[TBA, Fall 2025] 

Check out the following websites for additional information 

Hazingprevention.org
HazingPrevention.org is a student-facing resource offering broad outreach and leadership programming. 

StopHazing.org
StopHazing.org is research-driven and provides tools and insights grounded in data to inform policy and institutional change.  

InsideHazing.com
InsideHazing.com provides psychological perspectives on hazing behaviors. It unpacks hazing’s connection to mental health and trauma.  

CleryCenter.Org/hazing
The Clery Center provides guidance for complying with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and other legislation. The focus is on integrating hazing within broader campus safety planning.  

And don’t forget. You can always visit the comprehensive list of RPI resources.