Hazing Education

The Smart Choice

This webpage has been developed to provide essential information concerning hazing awareness and prevention.  This information is made available for students, faculty/staff, parents, alumni, and community partners who all can contribute to hazing prevention efforts.   If you have any questions or concerns relative to hazing, contact the Office of Student Services at 337-475-5609 or email studentservices@mcneese.edu. Various campus resources for students are available on the Student Services resource webpage.

What is hazing?

Hazing is defined as any activity sponsored by or any method of initiation into a group, team, or organization which is likely to cause, or does cause mental or physical discomfort or embarrassment, or places any person into a demeaning or physically dangerous situation.

Who can perform hazing acts?

Hazing can be conducted by any person, but it is normally attributed to acceptance or entrance into a group, organization, or team.  Sometimes hazing is associated with traditions or customs connected to a group, team, or organization. In a college environment, hazing happens across a range of student groups.

Type Of GroupPercentage Of Students Experienced Hazing
Athletics74%
Social Fraternity or Sorority73%
Club Sports64%
Performing Arts56%
Service Fraternity50%
Intramural Team49%
Recreational Club42%
Academic Club28%
Honor Society20%
Other Organizations30%
Hazing in View: College Students at Risk, Allen/Madden (2008) via stophazing.org

Other Notable Student Experience Hazing Statistics

 26% participate in drinking games

17% of students sing or chant in a public situation

12% associate with specific people and not others

12% drink large amounts of alcohol to the point of getting sick or passing out

11% are deprived of sleep

10% are screamed, yelled at, or cursed at by other members

25% of hazing experiences, students believed coaches and/or advisors were aware of the activities

25% of hazing experiences, students reported that alumni were present

48% and 26% of students speak about their hazing experiences with their peers and family, respectively

Hazing in View: College Students at Risk, Allen/Madden (2008) via stophazing.org

What are typical hazing acts I should look out for?

  • Any activity that might bring physical or psychological harm to an individual or animal.
  • Paddling, beating, slapping, branding, burning with a cigarette, or any such activity which is life-threatening to the individual or is intended to hurt or to humiliate physically or mentally or otherwise permitting undergraduate or alumni members to hit any person.
  • All forms of physical activity not part of an organized, voluntary athletic contest, or not specifically directed toward constructive work.
  • Required members to wear any degrading or uncomfortable garments.
  • Depriving members of the opportunity for sufficient sleep (8 hours per day minimum), decent and edible meals, or access to means of maintaining body cleanliness.
  • Activities that interfere in any way with any individual’s academic efforts; e.g.-causing excessive fatigue, loss of sleep, or loss of reasonable study time.
  • Activities that interfere with an individual’s employment or family obligations.
  • Requiring members to consume alcohol and/or drugs to provoke nausea or inebriation.
  • Forcing, coercing, or permitting students to eat or drink foreign or unusual substances such as raw meat, raw eggs, saltwater, onions, etc. which are distasteful or designed to provoke nausea.
  • Having substances such as eggs, paint, honey, etc., thrown at, poured on, or otherwise applied to the body of any person.
  • Morally degrading or humiliating games or any other activities that make an individual the object of amusement, ridicule, or intimidation.
  • Kidnaps, road trips, etc., which are conducted in a manner that endangers the health or safety of any person.
  • Subjecting an individual to cruel and unusual psychological conditions for any reason.
  • Any requirement which compels an individual to participate in any of the above-named types of activities, or in any activity which is illegal, perverse, publicly indecent, contrary to the individual’s genuine morals and/or beliefs, excessive fatigue, public profanity, indecent lewd conduct, or sexual gestures in public.
  • The use of obscenities and vulgarities in dress, language, or action.
  • Any form of verbal harassment, any action or situation which subjugates an individual to a condition where he/she might tend to lose self-respect or suffer injury to personal or religious values.
  • Coercing a member to commit any action, which is in violation of the University’s Code of Student Conduct.

What should I do if I am knowledgeable of hazing?

If you are knowledgeable or even suspect that hazing acts have occurred, or are planned to occur, contact the Office of Student Services at 337-475-5609 or studentservices@mcneese.edu. You can also submit a report to the Inappropriate Conduct and Hazing Reporting Form. You may elect to remain anonymous when submitting your report.

What happens if individuals are guilty of hazing acts or participation?

The University prohibits any form of hazing. Hazing at state colleges and universities is a violation of the law and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment (Louisiana Revised Statute 17:1801.1) as well as by dismissal from the University. Hazing is also a violation of the McNeese Code of Student Conduct Article 3.14. Violations of law will be handled in accordance with the criminal court system.

Does the University offer training for students?

Students who are members of student organizations, by law, are required to receive at least one hour of annual training for hazing awareness and prevention. Students who are members of organizations with higher risks receive supplemental training and development provided by the University and other outside sources.  

Online Resources

Stop Hazing: www.stophazing.org
Hazing Preventionwww.hazingprevention.org