Anti-Hazing Policy

The University of Pennsylvania is a scholarly community and expects all members to respect the rights of others to participate in the academic and social environment of the University. Hazing is inconsistent with the goals and purposes of the University and is explicitly prohibited under University policy, Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, and the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act. This policy aligns with state and federal requirements, including reporting obligations under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act as amended by the Stop Campus Hazing Act.

This policy applies to all University students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) and all student organizations, whether recognized or not, including off-campus and virtual activities. It incorporates obligations under Pennsylvania law and the Stop Campus Hazing Act, including requirements for hazing prevention programs, reporting procedures, and transparency disclosures.

I. Definitions

A. Student Organization: A student organization is defined as any group at an institution of higher education (including but not limited to clubs, societies, associations, athletic teams or groups, fraternities, sororities, pre-professional and academic groups, performing arts groups, or student government) in which two 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.

B. Hazing: For purposes of this Policy, hazing means any intentional, knowing, reckless, or willful act or situation that: 

  1. recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student; 
  2. willfully destroys or removes public or private property; or 
  3. creates or causes a risk—beyond reasonable risks inherent to participation in activities such as athletic training—of physical or psychological injury. 

Hazing is prohibited when conducted for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for ongoing membership in a student organization as defined in Section I.A. Hazing creates an unsafe environment by perpetuating an unhealthy power dynamic and potentially hostile environment. In consideration of what actions or activities may fall under this Policy, the University will consider the context and totality of the circumstances surrounding a reported incident.

For purposes of this Policy, any activity as described herein, upon which initiation, admission, affiliation, or ongoing membership in a student organization as defined in Section I.A is directly or indirectly conditioned, shall be presumed to be “forced” activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.

Hazing specifically includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Physical brutality or endangerment, such as kidnapping; restraining someone’s movement or ability to communicate; or striking someone with or without an object
  • Forced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
  • Extreme mental stress or degradation, including sleep deprivation or forced social exclusion
  • Sexual acts compelled as a condition of membership
  • Threats or acts that place a person in fear of bodily harm
  • Placing a person in a situation of actual or simulated peril or jeopardy
  • Undignified stunts or actions, either private or public, and/or any ordeal that is in any respect indecent or shocking to moral scruples or University values
  • Willful destruction or removal of property
  • Unreasonable financial demands separate from expected dues or other fees that are a condition of ongoing membership for all members
  • Any act that violates federal, state, tribal, or local laws and rules, including the Code of Student Conduct, when required as a condition of participation or affiliation

C. Time and Place Limitations: There are time and place limitations on all organization activities related to initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for membership. For purposes of this section, orientation or new or continued membership activities include anything expected or required of an applicant or potential new member, or ongoing member in an organization. 

  1. There shall be no orientation or potential new member activities between midnight and 8:00 a.m. 
  2. Orientation and potential new member or continued membership activities shall not occupy more than ten hours per week, excluding reasonable varsity-level athletic preparation and competition, study hours, and community service.
  3. Orientation or potential new member or continued membership activities must not disrupt educational and other activities of the University community nor damage University property.  

Potential new member activities are also subject to the following:

1. The length of any initiation period is limited to six weeks.

a. For OFSL groups, more information is available on the website of Penn’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

b. With very limited exceptions approved in advance, the University expects that no potential new member or continued membership activities occur during University-recognized breaks.

2. Raids, treasure hunts and scavenger hunts are expressly prohibited. 

3. No potential new member shall be required to engage in unreasonable travel inconsistent with University expectations.

II. Enforcement

The Center for Community Standards and Accountability (CSA) is responsible for investigating all allegations of hazing and other forms of student misconduct. Disciplinary processes are set by the Charter of the University of Pennsylvania Student Disciplinary System. Penalties for engaging in hazing activities include University sanctions against individuals and organizations and possible criminal proceedings. Some actions may also be in violation of other University policies and may result in additional sanctions. All students, whether or not they are affiliated with an organization, are governed by the Code of Student Conduct.

A. Individuals: Violations of the Anti-Hazing Policy are subject to sanctions described in the Charter of the University of Pennsylvania Student Disciplinary System, which allows sanctions up to and including expulsion. 

B. Organizations: As defined above, all student organizations are subject to sanctions up to and including loss of University recognition and privileges.

C. Criminal and Civil Liability: In addition to the sanctions identified above, a student or organization that engages in hazing or other prohibited activities may be subject to civil and/or criminal liability. In addition to the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, students and organizations are also subject to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

D. Hazing Transparency Report: Twice a year, the University will post on a publicly accessible website a Hazing Transparency Report listing all substantiated incidents of hazing. The report will be updated at least twice annually and include, but is not limited to: 

  • Name of the student organization as defined in Section I.A 
  • Dates and details of the violation(s)
  • Sanctions imposed on the organization and/or individuals

In compliance with FERPA and other applicable privacy laws, the report will not include the names of individual students, or any other personally identifiable information protected under FERPA.

Consistent with the University’s obligations under the Clery Act, some of this information shall also be included in the Annual Security Report that is publicly available online.

E. Reporting Incidents of Hazing: There are multiple ways that you can make the University aware of hazing concerns and request support. There is collaboration among the many schools, centers, and resource offices at Penn to ensure that all complaints of hazing are routed appropriately. 

You may call the UPenn Division of Public Safety 24/7 at (215) 573-3333 to report concerns of hazing, and you may also make a report via the Public Safety website.

Incidents may also be referred to Penn’s Center for Community Standards and Accountability via their website or by calling (215) 898-5651 to make a formal complaint related to violations of University policy.

Suspected violations of policy, law or compliance requirements can be reported via the (215) P-Comply hotline, which is Penn’s confidential reporting and help line. Reports can also be made via the (215) P-Comply website. All the reporting options above can receive anonymous reports if desired.

III. Hazing Prevention and Education

In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, the University will implement campus-wide, research-informed hazing prevention and awareness programs. These programs will include primary prevention strategies, bystander intervention training, and educational resources for students and organizations. Programming related to anti-hazing training is offered throughout the year in many different formats. Trainings include but are not limited to a mandatory Public Safety presentation and video for all incoming undergraduate students, mandatory sessions for all recognized undergraduate student groups, school-specific programming for graduate students, and many other training courses throughout the year. Training is offered as scheduled and is also available to groups upon request by contacting the Office of Student Affairs.

Updated July 14, 2026; Almanac, July 14, 2026