Definition of Hazing Institutional Policy 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, an Organization; and – causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in higher education or the Organization (e.g., the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team, ROTC, or drama club), of physical or psychological injury including: – 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 local, 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. New Jersey State Law Under NJ Law, a person will be guilty of hazing if their conduct is in connection with initiation of applicants to or members of a student or fraternal Organization and the person knowingly or recklessly: i. Causes, coerces, or otherwise induces another person to commit an act that violates federal or state criminal law; ii. 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; iii. Subjects another person to abuse, mistreatment, harassment, or degradation (a) of a physical nature including, without limitation, whipping, beating, branding, excessive calisthenics, or exposure to the elements, or (b) of a mental or emotional nature including, without limitation, activities 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, or (c) of a sexual nature; or iv. Subjects another person to any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the person. 29 — Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
