What is Hazing?
Derived from the SUNY Student Conduct Institute Stop Campus Hazing Act: “Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person of persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate.
At Buffalo State University, we uphold a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of hazing. We are committed to fostering a safe, supportive community through clear policies, proactive education, and accessible reporting resources. All students, staff, and organizations are expected to take an active role in preventing hazing and promoting positive, respectful engagement. Hazing has no place at Buffalo State University.
Buffalo State’s Commitment & Policies
Buffalo State has strong anti-hazing policies and prevention measures in place. Please read below for what steps our office has been taking to combat hazing on our campus.
-
Greek Life Policy Manual
Outlining expectations, reporting, and consequences related to hazing. The full policy manual can be found under the Greek Life Policy Manual tab, and pertinent information regarding hazing and reporting can be found under the How to Report tab.
-
Mandatory Greek Interest Meetings
All potential new members of Greek Organizations are required to attend a Greek Interest Meeting. This meeting covers eligibility and information about hazing (laws, how to report, and definitions).
-
Recruitment & New Member Education Protocols
Ensuring a safe and positive experience for new members. Please navigate to the Recruitment & New Member Education Protocols tab for more detailed information.
-
Greek Achievement Program (GAP)
Supporting organizations in fostering leadership and ethical behavior. Please navigate to the Greek Achievement Program tab for more detailed information.
Prevention & Awareness Programs
We remain dedicated to hazing prevention education through the following programs and development opportunities.
-
National Hazing Prevention Week
Workshops and discussions promoting anti-hazing culture. Please visit the National Hazing Prevention Week tab for more detailed information.
-
Greek Member Development Day
Mandatory for all students a part of a fraternity or a sorority. This training teaches students how to recognize and prevent hazing.
-
New Member Training
Mandatory for all students who are newly initiated into a fraternity or a sorority. This training covers what hazing is, bystander intervention, and how to report hazing.
Taking a Stand Against Hazing
Buffalo State University remains committed to fostering a safe and inclusive campus for all students. We appreciate your support in upholding these policies and ensuring that our campus remains a hazing-free community. For any questions, please reach out to the Student Leadership & Engagement Office at sle@buffalostate.edu.
Federal Hazing Laws
“The trustees or other governing board of every college chartered by the regents or incorporated by special act of the legislature shall adopt rules and regulations for the maintenance of public order on college campuses and other college property used for educational purposes and provide a program for the enforcement thereof. Such rules and regulations shall prohibit, among other things, any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization. Such rules and regulations shall govern the conduct of students, faculty, and other staff as well as visitors and other licensees and invitees on such campuses and property. The penalties for violations of such rules and regulations shall be clearly set forth therein and shall include provisions for the ejection of a violator from such campus and property, in the case of a student or faculty violator, his suspension, expulsion or other appropriate disciplinary action and, in the case of an organization which authorizes such conduct, recision of permission for that organization to operate on campus property. Such penalties shall be in addition to any penalty pursuant to the penal law or any other chapter to which a violator organization may be subject. . .”
A person can be found guilty of hazing in the first degree (Class A Misdemeanor) if, in the course of a person’s “initiation into or affiliation with any organization,” that person “intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk or physical injury to such person or a third person and thereby causes such injury” (Penal Law, paragraph 120.16). A conviction of this offense now carries a potential penalty of a fine up to $1,000, one year in jail, or both. A new offense designated as hazing in the second degree (a violation) incorporates a nearly identical definition except that no actual injury to any person need be proven (Penal Law, paragraph 120.17).
"This act requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs to report hazing incidents. It also renames the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act as the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.
Specifically, the act requires each IHE to disclose hazing incidents that were reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies in its annual security report. The act defines the term hazing to mean 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 (1) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and (2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the IHE or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.
Additionally, each IHE must include in its annual security report (1) a statement of current policies relating to hazing, how to report hazing incidents, the process used to investigate hazing incidents, and information on applicable laws on hazing; and (2) a statement of policy regarding prevention and awareness programs relating to hazing that includes a description of prevention programs.
Further, an IHE must develop a campus hazing transparency report that summarizes findings concerning any student organization found to be in violation of the IHE's standards of conduct relating to hazing. An IHE is not required to develop or update this report unless the IHE has a finding of a hazing violation.
The act does not apply to foreign IHEs."
Federal Hazing Requirements for Higher Education Institutions
Publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report
This must be published twice a year, listing any student organization found responsible for hazing. This will be available and located on the Student Leadership and Engagement website under the Campus Hazing Transparency Report.