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Longwood University is committed to the belief that abusive behavior, harassment and assault does not build character, does not build leadership skills, and does not foster group loyalty or unity. Hazing is an abuse of power and relationships, and its purpose is to demean others.

Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created intentionally, whether on or off Longwood property, by either fraternity/sorority organizations, student clubs/organizations, athletic teams, individual students or student groups, to produce mental or physical discomfort, endangerment of life, embarrassment, harassment, intimidation, or ridicule. Willingness to engage in any hazing activity does not render the Anti-Hazing Policy unenforceable

All members of student clubs, organizations, and athletic teams must indicate each year that they have read the Anti-Hazing Policy.

The Anti-Hazing Policy includes information on designing new member activities, campus resources, and what to do if one is a victim of hazing. The full policy can be read in the Student Handbook, or here.

The Anti-Hazing policy requires that all student organizations inform current and new members of the policy each year. The materials below are designed to help organizations meet the requirement, and can be copied and distributed to all members.

Remember:

•A lawsuit can ruin your group and financially devastate you and your family.
•A reputation for hazing can negatively impact members' future employment or graduate school applications.
•There are effective ways to achieve the group's pro-social goals without hazing.
•Learning ways to build group cohesiveness without hazing will develop skills that can be used after graduation.
•You will be more likely to generate committed alumni support without hazing.
•Without hazing, you won't have anything to hide or regret and will leave a positive legacy for future generations of members.

Cornell University

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Hazing warning signs.

· Does this activity promote leadership, sport, or academic skills?

· Does this activity promote and conform to the ideals and values of your sport, organization or fraternity/sorority?

· Will this activity increase feelings of friendship between new and returning members?

· Would you tell prospective members what they will go through?

· Would you be willing to allow parents to witness this activity? A judge? Your Coach/Advisor? The University President?

· Would you be willing to defend this activity in court?

· Does the activity meet both the spirit and letter of the standards prohibiting hazing?

If you answer "no" to any of these questions, you are probably hazing!

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Resources for Students

Information on the Anti-Hazing Policy

If you are being hazed..

What you can do..

Campus Resources

Information on the Anti-Hazing Policy:

Downloadable copy of the policy (requires Adobe Reader)

Downloadable copy of a brochure (requires Adobe Reader)

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If you are being hazed:

Remember:

•Anger, confusion, betrayal, fear, resentment, embarrassment, humiliation, hopelessness, helplessness, anxiety and depression are all normal reactions to being hazed. Some individuals have become suicidal.
•Physical consequences can include exhaustion, headaches, hangovers, illnesses, injuries, and scars.
•It's common to believe that things won't get worse, though they often do.
•You may want the hazing to stop, but don't want to get the group in trouble.
•You may want to leave, but fear the consequences or feel like you've invested too much already to walk away.
•Self-blame can occur and is fueled by hazers who tell new members that they will let others down if they leave or tell anyone what is going on.

Cornell University

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What you can do...

•Stay connected with friends outside of the group. Groups that haze often try to isolate their new members from others
•Talk with others about what you are going through. You do not have to keep it a secret. Demanding secrecy is a common practice designed to protect people who are abusing others.
•Seek guidance from your parents/guardian or other family member.
•Refuse to participate. Others before you have done so.
•Join together with other new members to refuse to be hazed. There is power in numbers because groups depend on getting new members to join. Hazers don't want new members to realize how much power they have, so they work hard to keep them subjugated.
•Leave the group. This is hard to do, but is always an option. Walking away from hazing takes strength. Don't believe it if anyone who tries to tell you that it is sign of weakness or that you weren't tough enough to hack it. Quitting when you are being hazed takes character.
•Talk to a Counselor to help you sort out what to do.
•Report the hazing, confidentially if you prefer—to any Athletic or Student Affairs Staff Member

•

Cornell University

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Campus Resources

University Police

Student Health and Wellness

Counseling Center

Residence and Commuter Life

Athletics

Fraternity and Sorority Life

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

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