Boston University strictly prohibits all forms of Hazing. Hazing is also prohibited by both Massachusetts and federal law. To that end, no community members should not be subject to Hazing in connection with their initiation in, affiliation with, or participation or membership in a group, club, opportunity, or student organization.
This webpage provides hazing information and resources for members of the Boston University community. Specific questions about Hazing and Hazing Prevention should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students.
What is Hazing?
What is Hazing? As a general matter, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act — done alone or with others — against someone taking part in, joining, or retaining membership in a student group, even if they agree to it, that harms or risks a student’s physical or mental health or safety, causes embarrassment, or extreme fatigue or distress, damages property, or violates University policy or the law.
Please refer to the Boston University Hazing Prevention Policy for the detailed definition of Hazing.
Examples of Hazing
Hazing can take many forms. Some examples include:
- Making someone do extreme workouts or physical challenges that cause pain or exhaustion;
- Forcing or pressuring someone to drink alcohol, take drugs, or consume an unknown substance;
- Keeping someone awake for long periods or isolating them from others;
- Exposing someone to extreme weather or unsafe conditions;
- Threatening or scaring someone with words or actions;
- Physically hurting someone — like hitting, slapping, or using an object to shock them;
- Forcing or coercing someone to remove clothing, expose their body, or perform sexual acts;
- Branding, marking, or putting harmful substances on someone’s body;
- Locking someone in a small or confined space;
- Doing anything that causes serious embarrassment, stress, or harm to someone’s body or mind; or
- Required/forced/coerced road trips, quests, scavenger hunts, or “kidnaps.”
Remember: Under Massachusetts and federal law, a person cannot consent to hazing — it’s still hazing even if they say “okay.”
Please refer to the Boston University Hazing Prevention Policy for more examples of Hazing as outlined within the definition of Hazing.
Reporting Hazing
Mandatory Reporting for Hazing
As required by University Policy, community members must report incidents of Hazing to the University using the online Hazing report form administered through the Office of the Dean of Students. Reporting can be anonymous, so reporters do not need to self-identify when reporting Hazing incidents.
Massachusetts law also makes failure to report Hazing a crime punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.
Active and Ongoing Emergency Reporting – Contact BUPD
If the Hazing is life threatening, dangerous, violent, or otherwise poses risk of harm, community members should immediately contact the Boston University Police Department at 617-353-2121 if they are on campus or call 911 or local law enforcement authorities for off campus hazing emergencies.
Even after reporting Emergency Hazing incidents, community members must then report the same incident of Hazing using the confidential online Hazing report form to ensure the Office of the Dean of Students has logged the incident in addition to law enforcement.
More information on community members’ reporting obligations can be found in the Interim Hazing Prevention Policy, II. Reporting Requirements.
Hazing Policies at Boston University
- Interim Hazing Prevention Policy – Responsible Office(s): Office of the Dean of Students | Office of the Senior Vice President Operations | Office of the University Provost
- Hazing Prevention and Reporting (Lifebook) – Responsible Office(s): Office of the Dean of Students
Campus Hazing Transparency Report
Boston University will publish findings of Hazing Violations committed by an established or recognized University Student Organization in a Campus Hazing Transparency Report starting on December 23, 2025, for the period beginning July 1, 2025, and updated bi-annually thereafter. Bi-annual updates will only be made to the report when new Hazing Violations have occurred. The report will be published on this website.
Hazing Laws
- Massachusetts Laws
- Federal Law
National Hazing Prevention Resources
The mission of the University of Virginia’s Gordie Center is to end hazing and substance misuse among college and high school students nationwide. Their website features a toolkit and resources available for use in Hazing prevention.
The Hazing Prevention Network is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering people to prevent hazing with a goal of educating about the dangers of hazing, advocating for change, and engaging the community in strategies to prevent hazing.
- Piazza Center — The Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research is dedicated to transformative change and saving lives. Their research-driven approach targets the underlying factors of hazing while promoting healthier fraternities, sororities, student organizations, and athletic programs to build safer and stronger campus communities.
Hazing Education Resources
- Hazing Awareness and Prevention (Faculty & Staff) (Vector Solutions Course) – Available on the Terrier eDevelopment Learning Management System
- Hazing Awareness and Prevention for Students (Vector Solutions Course) – Available on the Terrier eDevelopment Learning Management System
- RespectEdu for Athletic Staff (Hazing Prevention for Athletic Staff) (Vector Solutions Course) – Available on the Terrier eDevelopment Learning Management System
Related University Websites and Resources
Boston University Police Department Webpage on Hazing
This webpage is a resource page maintained by the Boston University Police Department on Hazing, including information on applicable Hazing laws.
Report Hazing Now Office of the Dean of Students Form
This form MUST be used to report all incidents of Hazing to the University. The Form is administered through the Office of the Dean of Students. See section above on Reporting Hazing for more information on BU community obligations to report hazing.