Brooklyn College Statement on Hazing
The Fraternal Information and Programming Group (FIPG)* defines hazing as:
"Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort (including, violence, abuse or torment), embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: Use of alcohol (on or off campus), paddling in any form, creation of excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste, engaging in public stunts and buffoonery, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual, or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state law."
New York State's law (N.Y. Penal Law §120.16) defines hazing in the first degree as follows:
"A person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when, in the course of another person's initiation into or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such injury. Hazing in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor."
Zero Tolerance for Hazing
Brooklyn College has a zero tolerance policy for hazing. All Brooklyn College students — including students who are not members of a fraternity or sorority — found to be in violation of Brooklyn College and university rules, regulations and policies will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from Brooklyn College and/or criminal prosecution.
All members of the Brooklyn College community are responsible for ensuring that Brooklyn College remains free from hazing.
Hazing is any action or situation created intentionally or unintentionally, whether on or off the Brooklyn College premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, pain, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule.
Hazing is any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization that causes, or is likely to cause, physical injury or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any student.
Such activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Use of alcohol (on or off campus)
- Cyber bullying
- Paddling in any form
- Mandated uniform (of any type) on specific days or times that is conspicuous, not normally in good taste, and is meant to cause embarrassment.
- Creation of any excessive fatigue
- Any other activities which are inconsistent with Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws and the Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order pursuant to Article 129a of the Education Law.
Failure to Adhere to University Rules and Regulations or to Report Incidents of Hazing
Students found to have violated Article XV of the university's Bylaws and the Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order pursuant to Article 129a of the Education Law shall be subject to disciplinary action by the college. Depending upon the severity of the violation, penalties may result in a suspension or immediate expulsion from the college. Students who have personal knowledge of or information about incidents of hazing have a duty to report the incident to the Brooklyn College Office of Judicial Affairs, 2113 Boylan Hall. Failure to report the incident or information may result in disciplinary action.
Student organizations found to be engaged in hazing activity may have their charters permanently revoked. Disciplinary action by the college or CUNY will not exempt individuals from civil litigation and/or criminal prosecution. Brooklyn College reserves the right to refer known incidents of hazing to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
* The FIPG is the organization that provides liability insurance to fraternities and sororities.
