5 things faculty and staff should know about recognizing and reporting hazing
Faculty and staff can play an important role in recognizing and preventing hazing. You may notice changes in a student’s behavior, hear about a concerning group activity or have a student come to you because they trust you.
Knowing what to look for and what to do when something seems wrong can help you respond early and connect students with the right resources.
Here are five things to know about recognizing and reporting hazing at CU ǸԹ.
1. Hazing can happen in many campus settings
Hazing can happen in any group where people are joining, participating or seeking a sense of belonging.
This can include:
- Fraternities and sororities
- Student organizations and clubs
- Sport clubs and athletic teams
- Student employment teams
- Academic programs, cohorts, labs and research groups
- Performance groups
- Informal student communities
Hazing includes activities expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliate, degrade, abuse or endanger them, regardless of their willingness to participate.
These activities may be described as traditions, team-building exercises, rites of passage or simply “the way we’ve always done it.” Regardless of what an activity is called, expectations that put someone’s health, safety or well-being at risk should be taken seriously.
2. Know the signs of possible hazing
Hazing isn’t always obvious. Faculty and staff may be among the first people outside of a group to notice that something has changed.
Potential signs of hazing can include:
- Sleep deprivation or unusual fatigue
- Missing class, work, meetings or other commitments
- Excessive or unusual physical demands
- Isolation from friends or other communities
- Secrecy around group activities or traditions
- Fear or anxiety about disappointing the group
- Public humiliation or degrading activities, including wearing costumes
- Coercive traditions or pressure to participate
- Dangerous or risky activities
- Unexplained injuries or changes in well-being
You might also notice a student struggling to keep up academically or professionally because group activities are taking priority over other responsibilities.
One sign doesn’t necessarily mean hazing is occurring. However, you don’t need to determine whether a situation meets the definition of hazing before sharing a concern.
3. Report suspected hazing to SCCR
If you observe, learn about or suspect hazing involving students, report the concern to Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution (SCCR).
You do not need to investigate the situation yourself, gather proof or determine whether a policy violation has occurred before making a report. Share the information you have and allow SCCR to review the concern and determine the appropriate next steps.
This applies whether the potential hazing involves a fraternity or sorority, student organization, sport club, student employment team, academic program or another student group.
If you’re an advisor, coach, faculty member, supervisor or staff member connected to the group, you may also have department-specific people you normally contact when concerns arise. Those conversations can be helpful, but suspected hazing should still be reported to SCCR so the university can appropriately review and respond to the concern.
If there is an emergency or someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For an imminent threat on campus, you can also contact the CU Police Department at 303-492-6666, then submit a report to SCCR.
4. Reporting early can help prevent harm
You don’t have to wait until a situation becomes severe or someone gets hurt to report a concern.
Early reporting gives the university an opportunity to assess risk, follow up with those involved and connect students or organizations with appropriate resources.
After SCCR receives a hazing report, the office reviews the information and determines appropriate next steps. Depending on the situation, this can include:
- Assessing potential safety concerns
- Connecting individuals or organizations with support
- Notifying relevant university partners
- Following up with those involved
- Investigating potential policy violations
- Determining appropriate outcomes
SCCR may also take interim measures during the process when needed to support safety and compliance.
You may not always receive detailed information about what happens after you submit a report. Depending on the circumstances, the university may be required to keep findings or subsequent actions confidential.
The important thing is to share what you know. You don’t need to have all the answers before making a report.
5. You can support a student while also reporting a concern
If a student tells you about something that may be hazing, start by listening.
You can:
- Thank them for coming to you.
- Listen without judgment.
- Ask what they need in the moment.
- Avoid questioning them as though you are investigating what happened.
- Let them know there are resources available to help.
- Explain what steps you plan to take with the information they’ve shared.
- Continue to check in when appropriate.
Students may have complicated feelings about what is happening. They may care deeply about the group or people involved, worry about losing friendships or opportunities, or not think of what they’re experiencing as hazing.
You don’t need to convince a student that something is hazing before taking a concern seriously.