University Policy Manual

Hazing Policy

Policy Category Issuing Authority Responsibility Publication Date Next Review Date
Risk Management & Security Enterprise Risk Management Division of Student Affairs
Human Resources		 7/10/2025 7/10/2028

 

Policy Statement & Background:

This policy aligns with SUNY’s Student Conduct Institute (SCI) model policy on hazing. 

 

Policy:

Hazing is abusive, degrading, psychologically damaging, and may be life-threatening. It is unacceptable in all forms and has no place in the Stony Brook University community. Student groups, organizations, and athletic teams are important contributors to a vibrant and positive campus life and are expected to act in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and to treat others with respect. Hazing by individuals and student organizations is prohibited in any form both on campus and off campus.

 

Procedures

 

  • Reporting

 

Reporting hazing is everyone’s responsibility and can save a life.  A hazing incident may be reported to Stony Brook University by anyone: a person who was directly affected by the activity, a person who was involved in the incident; staff, parents, friends, or community members; or anyone who is generally concerned about a student or group. If you have witnessed or have knowledge of a possible hazing incident, please report the incident immediately. The University has a hazing amnesty policy as we recognize students may be reluctant to report hazing activity due to a fear of potential consequences for their own conduct.

 

Stony Brook will investigate all reports diligently and thoroughly in accordance with Code of Student Responsibility.  Individuals found responsible for committing, soliciting, encouraging, directing, aiding, or recklessly permitting hazing to occur will be subject to disciplinary sanction that could include suspension or expulsion.

 

Any person may report hazing by:
    • Emergencies and concerns for health and safety should always be reported immediately to law enforcement.  Contact University Police at 333 from campus phones or (631) 632-3333 from non-campus phones. Contact local police by calling 9-1-1.   
    • File an Incident Reportat our Hazing Prevention website.
      • This form is not monitored outside of normal business hours or on university holidays. If anyone is experiencing harm or is in imminent danger, please contact the police.   
    • Report to staff at the following offices: 
      • University Police Department, 333 from campus phones or (631) 632-3333 from non-campus phones.
      • The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, email: communitystandards@stonybrook.edu or call (631) 632-6705.
      • The Office of Student Life, email: StudentLife@stonybrook.edu or call (631) 632-9912. 
    • If preferred, you may report to staff without providing personally identifying information. Please contact the respective office/staff member and state you wish to schedule a meeting either in person, over the phone, or via Zoom without providing your name. 
    • Follow Stony Brook’s Good Samaritan Policy.

 

 

  • Privacy and Confidentiality while Reporting  

When reporting, your privacy will be maintained to the greatest extent possible to encourage members of the community to come forward without fear of reprisal. You may be contacted by investigators from the appropriate department. Our ability to investigate hazing incidents depends on the accuracy and specificity of the information you provide. You are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible so that appropriate action can be taken to address the behavior. Any reports containing Title IX violations are required to be reported to the appropriate offices, including reporter information. 

 

You have the option to report anonymously but it is not encouraged. Anonymous reports make it difficult to complete a full investigation and subsequently bring charges against an organization due to our inability to follow up, confirm or verify the information presented.

 

When reporting, please be prepared to provide the following information as best as you can and provide as much detail as possible:

 

    • Your contact information (name, phone number, and email address
    • Name of the organization/s you are reporting
    • When and where it occurred and who was involved
    • Names and contact information of other people that were present or can corroborate the information you are providing (if available)
    • Any documentation or photographs you may have.

 

Students who wish to speak confidentially about an incident may contact the following resources:

 

    • Employees of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
    • Employees of Student Health Service
    • Employees of Center for Prevention and Outreach (CPO)
    • Employees of Interfaith Center

 

Please note that not all confidential employees will be confidential resources in all circumstances.  You may ask someone if they are a responsible reporter or are confidential within the given context if you are unsure prior to disclosing any information.

 

  • Amnesty Related to Hazing Reports

The University recognizes that students may be reluctant to report hazing activity due to a fear of potential consequences for their conduct. Therefore, a student who acts in good faith to report activity that may fall within the definition of hazing and who cooperates fully as a witness in the investigation and student conduct process may not be subject to student conduct outcomes related to their participation in hazing behavior, as determined by the University in its sole discretion. If amnesty is granted for self-reported behaviors, if evidence is presented that the student has continued to engage in hazing behaviors or has knowledge of hazing activity that was not reported, they may be held accountable for past behavior. Students who choose to report and request amnesty for their conduct under this policy should know that amnesty does not apply to any criminal or civil action that may be taken by law enforcement or other agencies, including the University Police. 

Investigation Process

 After a report is received, Stony Brook will quickly review the submission and determine the next appropriate actions. If a report is criminal in nature, University Police and/or local law enforcement will be contacted. Stony Brook will also conduct its own investigation to prevent a recurrence of the alleged hazing and to determine if there are potential violations of the Code of Student Responsibility and/or any other applicable processes, depending upon the nature of the complaint.

 

Retaliation

Retaliation against an employee, student or any witness who participates in any University investigation is prohibited. Retaliation is also prohibited against any individual who files a sexual misconduct complaint or participates in a complaint investigation in any manner. Any substantiated act of retaliation may result in sanctions or other student conduct action as covered by the Code of Student Responsibility or University policy and/or the conduct procedures pursuant to the applicable collective bargaining agreements and applicable policies and procedures.

 

Definitions:

Hazing: Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that:

 

  • Is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
  • Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury. The following are non-exhaustive examples of conduct that causes or creates such a risk:
    • Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
    • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
    • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
    • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
    • Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
    • Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of applicable local, [insert applicable state name] State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
    • Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

 

Student Organization: An organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which one or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution. 

 

Actions by affiliated contributors (including but not limited to: alumni, national organization representatives, affiliates from other schools, coaches, choreographers, etc.) will be considered in determining the University's response and accountability to the organization’s status as appropriate.

 

Contact:

Additional information about this policy is available here:

Office of Student Life

Student Union, Suite 205

Stony Brook, NY 11794

Phone: 631-632-9912

studentlife@stonybrook.edu

 

Relevant Standards, Codes, Rules, Regulations, Statutes and Policies:

  • NY Penal Law § 120.17 Hazing in the second degree.
    • A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course of another person's initiation or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including, but not limited to, making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person. Hazing in the second degree is a violation.