Whether it’s a club, a fraternity, a sorority, athletics, or volunteering, there are so many ways to engage in our campus community. Extracurricular activities allow students to build their resumes, make meaningful connections, serve in leadership positions, and step out of their comfort zone. Hazing transforms what should have been a positive experience into a dangerous and detrimental situation. MSU is passionate about nurturing a safe and welcoming living and learning environment. The Office of Student Conduct proactively combats hazing by cultivating and facilitating educational programs, designing impactful social media posts, and collaborating with our campus partners including Fraternity Sorority Life, and the Office of Student Engagement.

What is Hazing?

Hazing is defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in a group or Student Organization. This can include verbal abuse, isolation, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, forced consumption of any liquid or food, requiring members to carry certain items, complete chores or tasks given by other members, and asking new members to perform unnecessary tasks not given to other existing members. These behaviors are not permitted at Missouri State University regardless of participation in or consent to the activity.

What should you know?

Hazing is more common than you may think; 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and student organizations experience hazing (Allan and Madden, 2008). Despite the prevalence, students may not recognize when this is occurring. In a study of high schoolers, 48% of students reported participating in hazing behaviors, but only 14% identified this behavior as hazing (Hoover & Pollard, 2000). Hazing is often viewed as ‘tradition’ or ‘harmless fun’ by those involved, but research shows that for 71% of students, hazing resulted in physical, social, or emotional harm (Hoover & Pollard, 2000). Low level hazing or subtle hazing must be addressed as it can quickly escalate. Students who take part in hazing, those who do not report, or do not leave the premises can be charged with facilitating a conduct violation.

What can you do to help?

If you see something, say something. Reporting incidents is essential because it allows us to help those who have been affected and prevent these events from reoccurring. The incident report form is located on the MSU Student Conduct website.

The following resources are available for support:

• Campus Safety at (417) 836-5509
• Counseling Center at (417) 836-5116
• 911 if there is a life-threatening emergency

How to report?

• Contact the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at (888) 668-4293
• File a report on the MSU Ethics Portal
• Complete the incident reporting form on the MSU Student Conduct website
• Contact the Office of Student Conduct at (417) 836-5527

References

Allan, E. J. & Madden, M. (2008). Hazing in View: College Students at Risk. (http://www.hazingstudy.org/publications/hazing_in_view_web.pdf), University of Maine, College of Education and Human Development.

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

Hoover, N. C., & Pollard, N. J. (2000). High School Hazing. Alfred University.