Hazing

Recognizing Hazing

Preventing hazing and being a positive bystander begin with understanding and identifying behaviors that could be considered hazing. 

It can be difficult to recognize hazing when it’s happening to you or someone you know. Reflecting on the questions below can provide more insights into whether or not the incident in question is a hazing incident, especially if the incident occurs as part of an initiation into, admission into, or requirement for continued membership in a student organization:

  • Does this activity require secrecy? Why?
  • Would you feel comfortable telling family and/or other friends about the activity? Would you feel comfortable if they were watching the activity?
  • Does the activity encourage new members to grow into valuable members of the organization or does it cause harm?
  • Can you clearly explain how the activity is positively contributing to the group dynamic?
  • Does this activity violate federal, state, or local laws or Dartmouth College policies or Standards of Conduct?
  • Is this activity causing, or does it have the potential to cause, emotional, physical, or mental distress to those involved?

If you suspect someone you know is involved in a hazing incident, keep an eye out for behaviors and signs such as:

  • An unusual level of fatigue or symptoms of depression, including withdrawal from relationships outside of the organization, sudden mood swings, or lack of hygiene;
  • An attitude of defense when others express concerns about potential hazing; or
  • Referring to activities as rituals, traditions, or initiations when talking about requirements for joining or maintaining membership in an organization.

For more information, check out the following StopHazing resources:

 

The Spectrum of Hazing ™ 

Created by StopHazing, the Spectrum of Hazing™ highlights the various types of behaviors that can be labeled as hazing in the appropriate context. It breaks hazing down into three categories: Intimidation, Harassment, and Violence. Additionally, it focuses on two principles: Recognition and Frequency, showing that:

  1. More violent hazing behaviors, like physical and sexual assault and forced alcohol consumption, are commonly identified as hazing behaviors but don’t happen as often as less violent forms of hazing, and
  2. Less violent forms of hazing, such as isolation and the use of demeaning names, happen frequently but are often not recognized as hazing behaviors.

All hazing behaviors have the potential to cause harm and negatively impact group dynamics. By learning to identify low-recognition, high-frequency types of hazing, we can work together to create a safe and respectful campus environment for all. 

The Spectrum of Hazing showing types of hazing as intimidation, harassment, and violence and how intimidation is more frequent but less recognized as hazing behavior and how violence is less frequent but more recognized as hazing behavior

Allan, E. J. & Kerschner, D. (2020). The Spectrum of Hazing™, StopHazing Consulting. spectrumhttps://stophazing.org/resources/

Preventing Hazing

All Dartmouth community members have a role to play in hazing prevention. Oftentimes, hazing occurs simply because “that’s the way it’s always been”. We have the ability to change that narrative and prevent incidents that could cause harm to our community.

Here are some key ways that community members can help prevent hazing at Dartmouth:

  • Be an active bystander. There are a number of ways to speak up and be a positive bystander, whether you do something directly, bring others in to help, or use an ingenious alternative to distract or disrupt a situation. The Student Wellness Center’s Sexual Violence Prevention Project has more information on effective bystander intervention strategies.

  • Get involved. Getting involved in hazing prevention efforts is an excellent way to be a positive student leader and role model for the Dartmouth community. Options for involvement include joining the Dartmouth Hazing Prevention Coalition (D-HPC) forming in Fall 2025, completing the Leadership Dilemmas and Value-Based Decision Making Workshop, and advocating for change among peers. For more information on these opportunities, reach out to student.wellness.center@dartmouth.edu. 

    Additionally, the Sexual Violence Prevention Project (SVPP) training equips students with the skills and resources to effectively respond to hazing, support individuals who have been harmed, and foster a sense of belonging in group environments.

  • Lead by example. Modeling positive group behaviors helps prevent hazing while also strengthening group dynamics by ensuring everyone feels valued. For more information on creating positive group connections, check out this Alternatives to Promote Group Bonding resource created by Cornell University.
  • Support those who have experienced harm. Together we can heal and create a stronger campus community.

How Dartmouth Prevents Hazing

In line with our Principles of Community and core institutional value of fostering “lasting bonds among faculty, staff, and students, which encourage a culture of integrity, self-reliance, and collegiality and instill a sense of responsibility for each other and for the broader world”, Dartmouth is committed to the prevention of hazing through the following strategies:

Hazing Prevention Consortium (HPC)

Led by StopHazing, the Hazing Prevention Consortium (HPC) is a multi-year, research-to-practice initiative aimed at developing evidence-based hazing prevention practices across college campuses in the United States and beyond. Dartmouth was a member of the second HPC cohort (HPC-2), which was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from 2017 to 2020. Dartmouth will officially become a member of the seventh cohort (HPC-7) from 2025 to 2028 as a follow-up to the previous engagement.

Dartmouth Hazing Prevention Coalition (D-HPC)

Dartmouth will be establishing a cross-campus coalition of students and employees focused on building capacity, action, and sustainability around hazing prevention beginning in Fall 2025. 

Alcohol Management Program

The Alcohol Management Program (AMP) provides guidance for events where alcohol is served. Its success depends on cooperation between students, faculty, administration, and alumni to uphold the spirit of personal responsibility and respect for self and others that is embodied in these procedures.

Sexual Violence Prevention Project (SVPP)

The Sexual Violence Prevention Project (SVPP) aims to change culture and reduce violence through a four-year prevention and education experience that builds skills to:

  1. develop positive relationships and positive sexual behavior;
  2. use personal power to foster equity and belonging;
  3. intervene as an active bystander to prevent harm; and
  4. use resources, if needed, and support those impacted by harm. 

The knowledge and skills developed through the SVPP can also be applied to preventing hazing and other high-risk or harmful behaviors.

Student Organization Hazing Prevention

Dartmouth is committed to helping students prevent and address hazing in their organizations. The following are examples of our efforts:

  • Offering the Leadership Dilemmas and Value-Based Decision Making Workshop.
  • Requiring completion of the StandUp to HazingTM online training as a prerequisite for undergraduate student participation in a Greek Organization or Student Society.