1. Hazing Prevention and Reporting
Student Engagement
Staff Training, 2017

2. Agenda Northwestern’s Position Hazing Defined
Common Factors and Examples
Education and Resources
State Law
Reporting

3. Northwestern’s Position
It is the responsibility of all students/student organizations to encourage an atmosphere of learning, social responsibility, and respect for human dignity and to provide positive influences and constructive development for members and aspiring members. Students/organizations are expected to use good judgment to determine the abilities of individual students as they relate to organization activities and requirements.
Hazing leads to dysfunction within the organization and is ineffective at creating teamwork, respect, and unity, and it is an unproductive and hazardous custom that is forbidden by the University.
Northwestern.edu/hazing-prevention

4. What is Hazing?
“...any action taken or situation created, intentionally or unintentionally, whether on or off University premises and whether presented as optional or required, to produce: mental, physical, or emotional discomfort; servitude; degradation; embarrassment; harassment; or ridicule for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or admission to, or as a condition for continued membership in a group, team, or other organization, regardless of an individual’s willingness to participate.
Northwestern.edu/hazing-prevention

5. What is Hazing?
Hazing is any action taken or any situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule and risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group or team, whether new or not, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.
HazingPrevention.org

6. Common Factors
Power differential with those in a group and those who want to join, or between senior and junior members of a group
Intentional initiation rite, practice or ‘tradition’ involved
Willingness to participate does not absolve responsibility for either party
HazingPrevention.org

7. Examples of Hazing
Forced activities for new recruits to ‘prove’ their worth
Forced or required consumption of alcohol
Requirement to eat spicy foods, other substances
Requirement to endure hardships such as staying awake, menial tasks, physical labor, running while blindfolded, etc.
Humiliation of new or potential members
Isolation of new or potential members
Beatings, paddling, or other physical acts against new or potential members
Requirements for new or potential members to do things established members are not required to do
Illegal activities such as requirement to steal local items as part of a scavenger hunt
HazingPrevention.org

8. Education and Training
Northwestern’s website
Hazing.Prevention.org

9. State Law Ilga.gov/legislation Illinois State Law
Hazing is illegal in the state of Illinois. Hazing is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, expect in the situation where hazing results in death or great bodily harm; it is then considered a Class 4 felony. 720 ILCS 120/5.
Section 5. Hazing.
A person commits hazing who knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State, for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution if:
(a) the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution;
(b) the act results in bodily harm to any person.
720 ILCS 120/10. Sentence 10
Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, except hazing that results in death or great bodily harm is a Class 4 felony.
Ilga.gov/legislation

10. Reporting In the case of hazing or suspected hazing, report it to:
The Office of Conduct / Dean of Students AND
Your Supervisor;
NUHelp (app or site) OR
The Hazing Prevention site

11. After Hours & Weekends Dean on Call (847) 467-3022 University Police
(847) (non emergency)
9-1-1 (emergency)
Todd Adams (919)
Kelly Schaefer (773)