Hazing is a serious infraction of university regulations. The potential for hazing typically arises as part of a student's introduction to or initiation in an organization (fraternity, sorority, athletic team, or other group) in which there is often a perceived or real power differential between members of the organization and those newly joining it.
Hazing is defined by the University of Denver and the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities as: Any act, even if committed with the consent or acquiescence of all parties, which endangers the psychological or physical health or safety of a person, or by which a person is encouraged to engage in conduct that a reasonable person would consider to be humiliating, when the act is explicitly or implicitly a condition of admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any group.
Actively or passively encouraging these acts is also prohibited. Additionally, some Student Organizations are affiliated with state, regional, national, or international organizations who have developed position statements or regulations concerning hazing and other forms of misconduct. The University of Denver will adjudicate any known violations of hazing and will report alleged violations to that organization's governing body or affiliated organizations.
Student Rights & Responsibilities action taken against Student Organizations shall be separate from action taken against individual members. Individual students involved in the Student Rights & Responsibilities for a Student Organization may be subject to the individual Student Rights & Responsibilities according to their involvement in a case.
Any individual or group found responsible for hazing will be subject to outcomes outlined in the University of Denver Honor Code. Students should also be aware that hazing is a class 3 misdemeanor under Colorado state law.
Examples of Hazing include but are not limited to:
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wearing apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste, and/or inappropriate for the time of year
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standing for a length of time
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activities that would not normally construe hazing but because of time, place, or manner make them inappropriate
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sleep deprivation or interruption of consecutive sleep hours
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expected or forced consumption of food, drink (including alcohol), or other substance
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acts of humiliation or degradation (including streaking or wearing degrading or humiliating apparel)
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restrictions on eating or bathing
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acts that disrupt academic instruction or learning of others
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interruption or interference of academic commitments
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compromising (sexual) situations