Hazing

Massachusetts law expressly prohibits any form of hazing in connection with initiation into a student organization. The law applies both to officially recognized and unrecognized groups and to practices conducted on and off campus. The term hazing, as used in this law, is defined as “any conduct or method of initiation…which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person” (Massachusetts General Laws, c. 269, sec. 17). Hazing is a crime punishable by fine or imprisonment.  The Administrative Board considers all reports of hazing in the normal course of its oversight, taking disciplinary action in appropriate cases and reporting confirmed incidents to appropriate law enforcement officials.  In addition, failure to report hazing is illegal  (Massachusetts General Laws, c. 269, sec. 18). A full copy of the Massachusetts laws relating to hazing is available in the Office of Student Policy and Governance, 51 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138.