Hazing Prevention

Hazing is defined as 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. Organization members who perpetrate, plan or witness (without reporting) a hazing incident or organization leaders that have prior knowledge or withhold information of an incident may be subject to individual conduct action. The term “member” includes individuals who participate in organization activities on a limited basis or have not been fully initiated into the organization. The following are examples but not an inclusive list:

Requesting and/or requiring any member, regardless of status within the organization, to (or attempt to):

• perform calisthenics (i.e., pushups, sit-ups) and/or physical exercise
• engage in public stunts or jokes
• participate in morally degrading or humiliating games and/or activities
• paddling in any form
• social probation and/or failure to comply with directions of the university officials and their authorized agents acting in the performance of their duties
• having items thrown (i.e., water, paint, food) at any individuals
• required/forced branding or tattooing
• forced consumption of food or liquids including alcoholic beverages or use of illegal substances
• request or compel attendance at unannounced events and outings
• order personal errands run by members
• participate in pranks or other actions intended to harass any organization member, another organization or any member of the Montclair State University community
• call any members degrading names that may cause embarrassment or ridicule
• restrict or disrupt the sleep of any member at any time (including sleep deprivation)
• not permit adequate time for studies
• expect members to complete any directives from a member
• demean any member
• cause physical or psychological harm to any members
• commit any violation of the Student Code of Conduct, federal, state or local law as they pertain to hazing

Hazing also includes any activities not consistent with student organization procedures, Student Code of Conduct, Office of Greek Life policy, fraternity/sorority rituals or national policies, student athletic policies and/or Montclair State University policies.

All executive officers of organizations and new member/intake educators are completely responsible and liable for educating the organization and new members about the policy and consequences of hazing.

In the State of New Jersey, the Hazing Law states:

1. a. A person is guilty of hazing, if, in connection with initiation of applicants to or members of a student or fraternal organization, whose membership is primarily students or alumni of the organization or an institution of higher education, the person knowingly or recklessly:

(1) causes, coerces, or otherwise induces another person to commit an act that violates federal or State criminal law;

(2) causes, coerces, or otherwise induces another person to consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug or other substance which subjects the person to a risk of emotional or physical harm or is otherwise deleterious to the person’s health;

(3) subjects another person to abuse, mistreatment, harassment, or degradation of a physical nature, including, but not limited to, whipping, beating, branding, excessive calisthenics, or exposure to the elements;

(4) subjects another person to abuse, mistreatment, harassment, or degradation of a mental or emotional nature, including, but not limited to, activity adversely affecting the mental or emotional health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment;

(5) subjects another person to abuse, mistreatment, harassment, or degradation of a sexual nature; or

(6) subjects another person to any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the person.

Hazing shall not include any reasonable and customary athletic, law enforcement, or military training; contests; competitions; or events.

b. Hazing is a crime of the third degree if an actor commits an act prohibited in subsection a. of this section which results in death or serious bodily injury to another person and is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor commits an act prohibited in subsection a. of this section which results in bodily injury to another person. Otherwise, hazing is a disorderly persons offense.

2C:40-5.  Conduct constituting offense may be prosecuted under other provisions of Title 2C
Conduct constituting an offense under this Act may, at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney, be prosecuted under any other applicable provision of  Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.

18A:3-25. Pledge’s Bill of Rights
The Attorney General shall develop a “Pledge’s Bill of Rights” which outlines acceptable and unacceptable behavior and activities in regard to the pledge or rushing activities of college and university fraternities and sororities and other similar campus organizations.  In developing the bill of rights, the Attorney General shall review the existing pledge and anti-hazing policies and procedures of public and independent institutions of higher education within the State and shall, as appropriate, incorporate those policies into the bill of rights.  The Attorney General shall make the “Pledge’s Bill of Rights” available to each institution of higher education within the State.

For the purpose of this Pledge’s Bill of Rights, a pledge is defined as any student of the college/university attempting to become a member of a fraternity or sorority or other similar campus organization.

For the purpose of this Pledge’s Bill of Rights, “hazing” shall mean:
As indicated, pursuant to the New Jersey Statute:

• 2C: 40-3 a. A person is guilty of hazing, a disorderly persons offense, if, in connection with initiation of applicants or members of student or fraternal organizations, he knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates, or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events, which places or may place another person in danger of bodily injury.
• b. A person is guilty of aggravated hazing – a crime of the fourth degree – if he commits an act prohibited in subsection a., which results in serious bodily injury to another person.
• 2C: 40-4 Notwithstanding any other provision of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to a prosecution under this act.
• 2C: 40-5 Conduct constituting an offense under this Act may, at the discretion of the prosecution attorney, be prosecuted under any other applicable provision of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes: and
• Other behaviors or activities in addition to those prohibited under N.J.S.A. 2C: 40 et seq.

To learn more about hazing prevention please visit hazingprevention.org.

To help you make fully informed choices about joining fraternity and sorority organizations at Montclair State University, we provide a report on organizational conduct violations. Think about this information as you evaluate the safety and integrity of the organizations you’re considering joining. Make a plan to be an active bystander in an unsafe situation and know what you can do to stop harmful behavior and get help for yourself and your peers. We care about your safety and well-being and we appreciate your support as we work together to keep our campus and community safe.

On August 24, 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Timothy J. Piazza’s Law. The new law requires public and non-public middle schools and high schools, as well as higher education institutions, to adopt anti-hazing policies and penalties for violations of the policies. The law is named for Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State University student who died as a result of hazing in 2017. View more information about Piazza’s Law.

In an effort to be transparent and hold our organizations to the highest standard as well as be in accordance with the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, Montclair State University will publish a report on findings of Montclair student organization conduct violations by Greek organizations recognized by the institution, including violations of hazing and other charges.

This report includes the name of the organization, the date of violation/charge, the actual charge, a general description of the incident, findings and sanctions placed on the organization, and the date it was resolved. Montclair State University will publish the updated report twice a year on or before January 1 and August 1 and include all information concerning violations that have taken place within five (5 )years time.

Our office hopes this information helps current and prospective students make educated decisions regarding the organizations they choose to affiliate with.

All questions regarding the conduct status of a chapter can be directed to the Office of Greek Life, at greeklife@montclair.edu or by phone at 973-655-7310.

Notice of Organization Violations:

2024-2025: 0 (to date)
2023-2024: 0
2022-2023: 2
2021-2022: 2
2020-2021: 0
2019-2020: 0

Information update to date as of August 1, 2024: Reports for the past five years are currently being updated and will be posted here as available. This report is also not reflective of incidents currently under active investigation. Incidents that have been resolved through a formal process appear on this report after the decision-making phase is concluded.

View the University Hazing Policy

More Information

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Act, Institutions of higher education are required to release certain crime statistics in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act. These statistics include the three most recent years collected upon crimes required to be reported by the Jeanne Clery Act that are applicable to Montclair State University. For additional information not protected by the Family Education Rightsand Privacy Act is available by contacting The Office of Student Conduct- Dean of Students Office at 973-655-6981. Student Code of Conduct.

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