Hazing & Initiations

Hazing

Yale prohibits all acts of hazing. Hazing includes any action that violates Connecticut hazing law (CT General Statute, Section 53-23a, Hazing). In addition to Connecticut law, Yale’s Policy Against Hazing defines hazing to include:

“initiation or affiliation activities that intentionally or recklessly endanger physical or mental health; that intimidate, denigrate, or humiliate persons pledging or seeking membership, or seeking to retain membership, in a registered or unregistered student organization or on an athletic team; or that intimidate, denigrate, or humiliate third parties who are witness to or subject to such activities. Blindfolding or physically restraining another individual, with or without that person’s consent, falls within the Yale definition of hazing.”

• Hazing is an offense whether it occurs on or off campus.

• The implied or express consent of the person being hazed will not be considered as a defense; nor will the use of alcohol or drugs as a mitigating factor.

• Because hazing is an organizational activity, the organization, its officers, and responsible members will be held accountable for hazing violations.

Student organizations include but are not limited to athletic clubs, varsity teams, fraternities, sororities, musical groups, junior and senior societies, drama groups, comedy groups, political groups, cultural houses, tour guides, student government organizations, and residential colleges.

Reporting

Any person may disclose hazing to the University by contacting the relevant Responsible Official. Contact information for the relevant officials may be found at: Policy Against Hazing Responsible Officials

• The disclosing person does not need to be the harmed person and/or a Complainant.
• All disclosures will be reviewed by the University to identify if the conduct falls within this policy or other related policies.
• An individual may report alleged hazing to the University independently of any off-campus processes, such as reporting to law enforcement or pursuing other non-campus-based civil reporting options. The University reserves the right to bring a charge pursuant to its own procedures even if law enforcement has declined to do so.

Initiations