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Hazing in any form contradicts our values and community standards, and we are dedicated to providing students with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to recognize, prevent, and respond to it. On this page, students can explore important information about hazing, including common myths and facts, how to identify if hazing is occurring, and what to do if a fellow student may be experiencing it. Whether you're joining a club, team, or organization, it's important to understand the difference between positive team-building and harmful behavior, and to know that resources and support are always available.

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Myths and Facts

Myth: “We told the first years that they didn’t have to [streak, drink, shoplift, etc.] if they didn’t want to, so it’s not hazing.”

• Fact »

  There is no “consent” defense to hazing. When someone is strongly motivated to join a group, peer pressure to participate in group activities is often heightened and power differentials between members (especially prospective and continuing members) can be exacerbated.

Myth: “If we just threaten to haze them, but don’t actually do anything, that’s not a violation.”

• Fact »

  Students have been sanctioned for threatening others with hazing, even when no other behaviors meeting the definition of hazing have followed. Threats can intimidate, manipulate, and/or cause anxiety or fear in others, meaning that threats in the context of joining or maintaining membership in a group, can constitute hazing.

Myth: “We’re just having the new members run errands for us. Since no one’s getting hurt, it’s not hazing.”

• Fact »

  Requiring others to complete tasks or errands in order to attain or maintain membership in an organization can be hazing. These behaviors emphasize a power imbalance between new members and other members of the group. This kind of personal servitude can feel humiliating or degrading for some people.

Myth: If someone agrees to participate in an activity, it can’t be considered hazing.

• Fact »

  In states that have laws against hazing, consent of the victim can’t be used as a defense. This is because even if someone agrees to participate in a potentially hazardous action, it may not be true consent because of peer pressure, intentional or unintentional threats, and the withholding of information about what will occur.

Myth: New members want to be hazed.

• Fact »

  Occasionally there are new members who say they want to be hazed. But generally most do not want to be humiliated, intimidated, or physically abused. “Wanting” to be hazed usually means desiring an intense, challenging experience. It is not necessary to haze new members in order to challenge them.

Myth: Hazing is the only method for holding new members accountable.

• Fact »

  While holding new members accountable may be important, there are effective ways to do so without hazing. Effective parents, teachers, and bosses all know ways to hold others accountable without humiliating, degrading or physically hurting them. These skills can be learned.

Myth: Hazing continues because everyone in the group supports it.

• Fact »

  Many group members may not approve of hazing but go along with the activity because they mistakenly believe everyone else agrees with it. This “reign of error” helps to perpetuate hazing. The strongest supporters of hazing are often the most vocal and dominant members.

Myth: Enduring hazing is a sign of strength.

• Fact »

  While it does take a certain strength to make it through hazing, many people submit to it because they desire acceptance by others, are afraid to resist, or feel a need to prove to themselves or others that they are worthy or tough enough (e.g., “a real man”). These motives reflect conformity, fear and insecurity, which are not qualities typically associated with strength. In contrast, standing up to a group of abusive peers or breaking free from hazing takes courage. That’s real strength.

Myth: Hazing only exists in fraternities and sororities.

• Fact »

  Hazing incidents have occurred across the country in athletic teams, military units, performing arts groups, religious groups, and other types of clubs and organizations. Hazing occurs in high schools as well as on college campuses.

Myth: Since alumni and current members were hazed it is only fair that the new members go through it too.

• Fact »

  “Tradition” does not justify subjecting new members to abuse. Traditions are created by groups, and groups hold the power to change or eliminate them. It only takes one year to break a hazing tradition. Remember that the founding members of organizations were not hazed.

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Healthy Alternatives to Hazing

Seton Hall encourages meaningful, inclusive ways for student organizations to build bonds and create lasting memories—without hazing. Here are positive, community-building activities your group can explore instead:

• Attend Seton Hall sporting events together—cheer on the Pirates.
• Plan a road trip to your fraternity or sorority's inter/national headquarters or visit a chapter at another campus.
• Organize a project to improve your meeting space, campus area or a local community park.
• Raise funds for a shared goal, like renovating or purchasing items for your chapter house or meeting space.
• Host a family weekend — invite parents, siblings, or loved ones to experience your Seton Hall life.
• Join Intramural Sports to promote fun and friendly competition.
• Complete a hands-on service project to support local children, the elderly, or underserved communities.
• Attend campus plays, lectures, and concerts as a group to explore shared interests.
• Host a Career Night with alumni to build connections and mentorship.
• Invite alumni to participate in Homecoming or other student life traditions.
• Plan a group night out — go ice skating or explore a local activity off-campus.
• Lead an educational session about your organization’s or Seton Hall’s history.
• Enjoy movie nights, themed dinners, or team-building meals on or off campus.
• Organize beautification projects to give back to your campus or community.
• Facilitate a leadership workshop to develop valuable skills within your group.
• Take part in or create a mentoring program with underclassmen or peers across organizations.