Hazing negatively impacts the Dartmouth community and can physically, emotionally, and/or psychologically harm those involved. Hazing is defined by Dartmouth College, New Hampshire law, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646) as any acts committed by one or more individuals against another person(s) as part of an initiation into, affiliation or association with, or continued membership in a student organization when such act (1) causes or creates more than a reasonable risk of a physical or psychological injury or (2) is likely to, or would be perceived by a reasonable person as likely to, cause physical or psychological injury to any person.

Student organizations include fraternities and sororities, athletic teams, club sports teams, student government, and other formally and non-formally recognized student groups as well as subgroups.

Not every intentional act committed in the context with initiation, affiliation, or membership constitutes hazing. Under the Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646), hazing involves conduct that causes or creates risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as signing paperwork, or the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury. Under New Hampshire law, hazing includes any act committed against a person in connection with their membership or participation in a student organization which such act is likely, or would be perceived by a reasonable person as likely to cause physical or psychological injury to any person.

The most common types of hazing can be broken down into four categories: physical hazing, psychological and emotional hazing, coercive hazing, and subtle hazing. While some types of hazing might seem less harmful than others, all forms of hazing undermine Dartmouth’s mission of maintaining an inclusive, safe, and respectful campus environment.