The University of Chicago prohibits hazing. Hazing is a crime in Illinois and is prohibited under federal law.
Under state law, a person commits the crime of hazing when they knowingly require a student or other person at the University to perform any act, on or off University property, for the purpose of induction, admission, or membership into any group, team, organization, or society associated with or connected to the University if the act is not sanctioned or authorized by the University and results in harm to any person or could reasonably be foreseen to result in such harm. A person’s willingness to participate in an act of hazing does not justify or excuse the act, or fall outside of this policy.
Under the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024), institutions like the University of Chicago that participate in Title IV federal funding programs, are required to prohibit hazing, and to collect and report data on hazing incidents annually. This law defines hazing 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 the other person or persons to participate, that: (a) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and (b) 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 by:
- 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; or
- 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.
- Hazing also includes knowingly pressuring or coercing any person to participate in activities that are inconsistent with the University’s community standards or policies.
For purposes of this policy, student organization or group means any set of people in which two or more of its members are enrolled at the University as students, regardless of whether the group or organization is established or recognized by the University. Student organizations or groups include but are not limited to clubs, societies, associations, athletic team, club sports teams, fraternities, sororities, bands, student government, and recognized student organizations.
Any student or group that commits hazing will be subject to the germane Student Disciplinary System. A staff member, postdoctoral researcher, academic appointee, or anyone with a visiting academic appointment who commits hazing will be subject to discipline using the applicable disciplinary processes. In addition, because hazing is a crime, the State’s Attorney may bring criminal charges against any person responsible for hazing.
Any person with knowledge of hazing is expected to communicate the matter promptly with the area Dean of Students, the Office of the Dean of Students in the University, the Office of the Provost, the University of Chicago Police Department, or University Human Resources. Reports also may be made using the University’s Hazing Reporting Form.