In December 2024, President Joe Biden signed into law the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) aimed at combating hazing and enhancing student safety across college campuses. This act requires that all institutions of higher education that participate in federal aid programs report hazing incidents and improve hazing reporting and prevention measures.
Federal and State Hazing Definitions
Federal Hazing Definition
The term ‘hazing,' for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents, is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that —
- is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
- causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury, including —
- whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
- causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
- causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
- causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
- any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
- any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
- any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
A student organization is defined as “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 members are the students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.”
State Hazing Definition
Hazing in the first degree – New York State Penal Law Section 120.16
Penal (PEN) chapter 40, Part 4, Title H, Article 120
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/she 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.
Hazing in the second degree – New York State Penal Law Section 120.17
Penal (PEN) Chapter 40, Part 3, Title H, Article 120
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/she 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 third person.
Hazing in the second degree is a violation.
University Definition of Hazing
The Guide to Pride states that Hofstra University will not condone hazing of any kind. Hazing refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group, conducted for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with a group, or expected of a group member to maintain full status in a group, where the activity is abusive, humiliating, degrading, excessive, or contrary to commonly accepted standards or decency or risks emotional or physical harm. The requirement or expectation to participate in the activity need not be expressly stated. If an individual reasonably believes that they will not be considered a fully participating member of the group or that they will be ostracized for not participating in particular behaviors (for example, alcohol use), then such implied coercion will be considered hazing. For more information, see the Guide to Pride.
Reporting Hazing
It is the responsibility of all members of the Hofstra University community to report hazing. In cases where immediate harm is threatened, reports should be made to the Department of Public Safety at 516-463-6606 or by visiting the Mack Public Safety and Information Center, located on the southeast corner of Hempstead Turnpike and California Avenue, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Reports Against Student Organizations
Any member of the University community may initiate a complaint against a student organization that is believed to have engaged in hazing by filing a report with the Department of Public Safety. You may contact the Dean of Students Office at 516-463-6913 for assistance with filing a complaint. Students may also report these matters through the University’s online reporting hotline at hofstra.edu/ethicspoint.
All reports are thoroughly investigated and adjudicated in accordance with the applicable process and procedures set forth in the Guide to Pride. The Guide to Pride also includes a list of sanctions if an organization is found responsible for a hazing violation.
Federal/State Reporting Requirements
Campus Hazing Transparency Reports
Beginning July 1, 2025, Hofstra University will publish information with respect to hazing incidents where there has been a finding of responsibility against registered or unregistered student groups/organizations. The report will be updated at least twice per year if there are additional findings of responsibility to document.
The report will include:
- The period from when the report was last published and ending on the date it is being republished;
- Each incident involving a student organization for which a finding of responsibility is issued related to a hazing violation, including
- The name of the organization
- Dates of incidents
- Information and description of the violation
The Campus Hazing Transparency Report may include any additional information determined by Hofstra University as necessary or reported as required by State law. The Campus Hazing Transparency Report will not include personally identifiable information.
There were no findings of responsibility for hazing violations between 12/24/2024 and 06/17/2025.
Hofstra University's Annual Security and Fire Safety report can be found here.
University policies related to hazing prevention and education can be found in the Guide to Pride.
Page last updated: 06/17/2025