Monmouth University Hazing Policy

1. Purpose

Monmouth University is committed to the health, safety, and wellbeing of every student. Hazing is contrary to the University’s mission and will not be tolerated. This policy protects students by defining prohibited conduct, establishing reporting and investigation procedures, supporting prevention and training, and ensuring compliance with New Jersey law (including the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law) and the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act.

Students should be aware that hazing violates campus regulations and state law. Students and/or organizations involved in such acts will be charged under the Code of Conduct as appropriate. The following information has been prepared by the Dean of Students Office. The information is designed to assist members of the University community in understanding University and state positions on hazing activities. The information is intended to be educational and should not be viewed as all-inclusive in its content and definitions. Specific questions should be referred to the Dean of Students Office at 732-263-5218.

 Monmouth University recognizes that student groups and associations including, but not limited to, clubs and organizations, fraternities and sororities, and intercollegiate or club sport teams are an integral part of the University. They contribute to the academic and social experience of the students and the Monmouth community. This relationship carries with it certain rights of the University to protect and preserve an appropriate environment in which all students and student associations may operate. As such, all students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible members of the University community and to respect their fellow citizens. Any departure from these standards as defined in the Student Handbook, the national fraternity/sorority documents, and state regulations may subject any individual(s) or group(s) to disciplinary action. 

2. Scope

This policy applies to all students, recognized and unrecognized student organizations (including fraternities/sororities, athletic teams, clubs, academic societies), faculty, staff, volunteers, and third parties acting on behalf of the University, whether activities occur on or off campus and whether during the academic year or breaks.

3. Definitions

Hazing – Any action or situation, on or off campus, expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, coerces, or risks emotional or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.

New Jersey’s Anti- Hazing Law states:

A person, student or fraternal organization, or institution of higher education, and another person acting in concert with the person, organization, or institution, shall be immune from prosecution under this section if the person, or an employee, officer, or other agent acting on behalf of the organization or institution, as the case may be:

  1. called 9-1-1, or otherwise contacted campus security, police, or emergency services, and reported that a person was in need of medical assistance due to an act of hazing as described in this section;
  2. the caller provided the caller’s name and, if applicable, the name of the person acting in concert with the caller to the 9-1-1 operator or other recipient of the emergency contact;
  3. the caller was the first to make the 9-1-1 report or other emergency report; and
  4. he caller and, if applicable, the person acting in concert with the caller remained on the scene with the person in need of medical assistance until assistance arrived and cooperated with the emergency services on the scene.

The following offices are available to you as a resource to report allegations of hazing:

  • Dean of Students Office 732-263-5218 
  • The University Police 732-571-4444

Examples of Hazing

Depending upon circumstances, these activities have at one time or another been construed as hazing by the courts and/or institutions of higher education. Such actions are often required or implied as conditions of inclusion or exclusion from a group, formal or informal. Thus, hazing may be perpetrated by individual(s), individual against group, or group against individual.  

  1. Requiring calisthenics such as sit-ups, push-ups, running, or any form of physically abusive exercise. 
  2. Forcing, requiring, or endorsing consumption of alcoholic beverages or any  
    other drug. 
  3. Requiring the ingestion of an undesirable, unwanted substance (e.g., spoiled food, drink concoctions, etc.). 
  4. Requiring the carrying of items, such as rocks, bricks, or pumpkins. 
  5. Scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, road trips, kidnappings, drop-offs, or any other such activities. 
  6. Morally degrading or humiliating games and activities such as requiring members to sing in public or act like animals. 
  7. Assigning or endorsing pranks such as borrowing or stealing items, painting property and objects, or harassing other individuals or groups. 
  8. Deprivation of sleep. 
  9. Blindfolding or hand-tying. 
  10. Verbal harassment including yelling and screaming. 
  11. Requiring any personal servitude such as running errands. 
  12. Line-ups, kangaroo courts, or any interrogations not consistent with legitimate testing for information about history, purpose, or direction. 
  13. Requiring new members to wear publicly, apparel that is conspicuous and/or not normally in good taste.  
  14. Requiring new members to be branded. 
  15. Requiring new members to answer phones or doors with chants, riddles, songs, or rhymes. 
  16. Deceptions and/or threats contrived to convince the new member he or she won’t be able to join the organization. 
  17. Conducting activities that do not allow adequate time for study or sleep. 
  18. Requiring new members to enter the house or building through a side door or entrance not normally used to enter. 
  19. Requiring new members to yell when entering or leaving the house or building. 
  20. Work projects without the participation of the full membership. 
  21. Any action which would be perceived as inflicting physical abuse/harm to an individual, for example, paddling or throwing things at new members. 
  22. Forced consumption of alcohol or other substances.
  23. Physical abuse.
  24. Sexual humiliation
  25. Paddling
  26. Any conduct risking bodily injury, emotional distress, or death

Please note: This list by no means covers all activities and actions that can be considered hazing. Should you have questions or desire clarification of any of these items, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 732-263-5218. 

4. Prohibited Conduct

All hazing is prohibited. Prohibited conduct includes: forced or coerced consumption of alcohol or drugs; physical brutality; sleep deprivation; sexual exploitation or humiliation; coerced illegal acts; and any activity that endangers safety or wellbeing.

5. Reporting Obligations & How to Report

Students and community members may report hazing incidents to the Dean of Students Office or University Police. University employees designated as mandatory reporters must report incidents consistent with law and training.

6. University Investigation Process

The University will promptly evaluate reported incidents, impose interim measures if necessary, and conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. Respondents will have an opportunity to respond, and sanctions will be imposed if violations are found. The University may coordinate with law enforcement while maintaining student safety.

7. Sanctions

Sanctions may include: warning, probation, required education, counseling referrals, restitution, restrictions, suspension or expulsion for individuals, and suspension or derecognition for organizations.

8. Compliance with New Jersey and Federal Law

Monmouth University complies with the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law and the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, including public reporting, recordkeeping, and prevention education requirements.

9. Prevention, Education, and Training

The University requires annual hazing prevention education for students and employees.

10. Good Samaritan

Individuals who report hazing emergencies in good faith and seek medical assistance will not face disciplinary action for minor policy violations, consistent with state law.

New Jersey’s Anti- Hazing Law states:

A person, student or fraternal organization, or institution of higher education, and another person acting in concert with the person, organization, or institution, shall be immune from prosecution under this section if the person, or an employee, officer, or other agent acting on behalf of the organization or institution, as the case may be:

  1. called 9-1-1, or otherwise contacted campus security, police, or emergency services, and reported that a person was in need of medical assistance due to an act of hazing as described in this section;
  2. the caller provided the caller’s name and, if applicable, the name of the person acting in concert with the caller to the 9-1-1 operator or other recipient of the emergency contact;
  3. the caller was the first to make the 9-1-1 report or other emergency report; and
  4. he caller and, if applicable, the person acting in concert with the caller remained on the scene with the person in need of medical assistance until assistance arrived and cooperated with the emergency services on the scene.

The following offices are available to you as a resource to report allegations of hazing:

  • Dean of Students Office 732-263-5218 
  • The University Police 732-571-4444

11. Confidentiality & Victim Support

The University will provide victim-centered support services, maintain confidentiality consistent with FERPA and Clery, and share information only on a need-to-know basis.

12. Recordkeeping, Reporting & Public Disclosure

The University maintains records of hazing incidents and makes public disclosures consistent with the Piazza law and the Stop Campus Hazing Act.

13. Additional Education and Resources on hazing prevention