Pirates Don't Haze

ECU Statement on Hazing

East Carolina University does not support and strongly condemns hazing of any kind. ECU believes in fostering a campus community being built around the core values of integrity, citizenship, and responsibility. Hazing incidents undermine these values and as a campus community, we all have a shared responsibility to stand against and prevent hazing whether you are a student, faculty member, staff, or alumni. Community members are encouraged to utilize our online reporting form to report concerns of hazing incidents. If you witness, experience, or otherwise become aware of what you believe to be a hazing incident, we encourage you to report the incident as soon as possible so that the University may take appropriate action. We also encourage you to remain informed of current trends and to be cognizant of potential signs of hazing, which can help prevent tragic incidents. Together, we as a campus community can build a unified front against hazing and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Pirates.

Understanding National Updates to Campus Hazing Prevention

On Jan. 1, 2025, the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act went into effect for colleges and universities across the country. The Stop Campus Hazing Act details specific actions required by institutions of higher education related to the reporting of alleged hazing and to hazing prevention and awareness programs.

The Stop Campus Hazing Act now adds hazing to the list of reportable incidents in the renamed Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. This new federal law requires universities to include reports of hazing allegations from any student organization on the campus crime and fire log whether they are ultimately substantiated or not. If circumstances warrant, immediate action can be taken by the university and/or the organization’s national organization to cease its activities while an investigation takes place.

Laws and Policies

Hazing is prohibited by the Student Code of Conduct:

2.5. Hazing: Acting in a manner that would subject another student to physical injury or mental or emotional harm as part of an initiation, or as a criterion of initial or continued membership, into any organized University group, including any society, military groups, athletic team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group. Planning or preparing to engage in hazing activity is also a violation of the Code. The expressed or implied consent of participants will not prevent disciplinary action.

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

Pursuant to the Section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)) (“Stop Campus Hazing Act), the Campus Hazing Transparency Report required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act is currently being updated and will include details of any student organization found responsible for violating the University’s hazing policy after January 1, 2025. The University will provide a report of past hazing misconduct involving student organizations. Information about student organizations that are found responsible for a hazing violation will be listed here, including:

  • The name of the student organization;
  • A general description of the violation, including whether it involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs, the findings of the institution, and any sanctions issued;
  • Date of the hazing incident(s);
  • Date the investigation was initiated;
  • Date the investigation ended with a finding that hazing occurred; and
  • Date that notice of the outcome was issued to the student organization.

Reports of hazing that did not result in a finding of responsibility will not be included.

Annual Security Report

Hazing reports are also included in the University’s Annual Security Report (PDF) statistics that can be found here. For additional information on this report, please contact the University’s Clery Coordinator.

How to Report Hazing

ECU recognizes the importance of student involvement in the campus community through student organizations that promote student success both in and outside of the classroom. When individuals and student organizations engage in hazing, student success suffers.

Any community member, including students, faculty, staff, and family members, are encouraged to report concerns about hazing to ECU. Reports may be made directly to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities using the online reporting form or calling 252-328-6824. In cases of immediate concern regarding health and safety or an emergency, contact ECU Police at 252-328-6787 (Non-Emergency Line) or 911. In cases of hazing by University employees, individuals may report incidents of hazing by contacting Employee Relations in the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at 252-328-9848 or employeerelations@ecu.edu.

In all cases, if you believe there is an immediate or ongoing threat to the safety of an individual or the campus community, please contact the ECU Police at 252-328-0062 or by dialing 911.

All reports of hazing involving student organizations will be forwarded to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR) for initial review. If the review yields credible information suggesting that hazing may have occurred, OSRR will initiate a formal investigation in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Student Organization Handbook. Specifically, the Student Organization Conduct Process can be found on pages 8-11 of the Student Organization Handbook. When applicable, OSRR will collaborate with local, regional, and national advisory boards during the investigation process.

The Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity (POSO) will review allegations of hazing involving employees by interviewing the complainant and any witnesses. POSO will also review any evidence provided by any party that may substantiate the allegation of hazing. After collecting information, the alleged person(s) who committed hazing will be interviewed. POSO may need to interview parties more than once to clarify facts related to the allegations. After a review is completed, POSO will take appropriate action under University policy.

Hazing Prevention Efforts and Anti-Hazing Resources

ECU provides significant programming on hazing prevention education to students and student groups regularly through a variety of in-person and online educational efforts. The goal is to prevent hazing by helping students recognize hazing behaviors, understand how and why to report hazing concerns, and developing strategies to avoid hazing in their groups.

  • Online training for all incoming undergraduate and graduate students on hazing recognition and bystander intervention.
  • In-person training for student organization officers, fraternity and sorority officers, club sport and varsity team captains, and other student group leaders. These trainings focus on recognizing hazing behaviors, building strong organizations without hazing, and bystander intervention.
  • Training for faculty and staff members who serve as Campus Security Authorities (CSA’s) under the Clery Act on recognizing and reporting hazing.

Campus Resources

  • The Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities investigates any reports of behaviors that could potentially violate the Code of Student Conduct.
  • The Center for Counseling & Student Development provides confidential counseling and support services for students.
  • The Office of the Dean of Students responds to reports concerning student health and well-being. If you have concerns about a student you may submit a CARES report, and a staff member will follow-up with that student confidentially.
  • The Student Activities & Organizations office is the home for over 350 registered student organizations on campus. If you have questions about the activities of these groups, please contact the staff in SAO.
  • The Fraternity & Sorority Life office works with over 45 chapters of national fraternity and sororities on campus. If you have questions about the activities of these groups, please contact the staff in FSL.
  • Campus Recreation & Wellness oversees our Club Sports teams. If you have questions about the activities of these groups, please contact the staff in CRW.

Hazing Resources

The following are national resources with a variety of hazing-related information. They include current research on hazing prevention, histories of hazing in different settings, strategies to reduce hazing, and tips for students and family members.