Preventing Hazing at Harvard

Is My Team/Organization Hazing?

Sometimes it may seem unclear whether an activity could constitute hazing. Below is an anonymous screening tool to help you evaluate whether an activity in which your organization engages—be it for recruitment, new member processes, or officer election/transitions—might be a form of hazing. Select “Yes” or “No” below each question.

1. Does the activity have the potential to cause any kind of humiliation to participants?
     Yes No
   
   
2. Could the activity cause extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation (e.g. not allowing individuals to sleep for at least six consecutive hours) or extended isolation?
     Yes No
   
   
3. Does the activity involve any kind of physical duress (e.g. forced calisthenics or exposure to extreme weather conditions without proper attire)?
     Yes No
   
   
4. Could the activity endanger the health or safety of your organization’s or team’s members or to any other person?
     Yes No
   
   
5. Would you have any reservations about describing the activity to your House Master or Allston-Burr Resident Dean?
     Yes No
   
   
6. Are new members coerced or pressured into consuming alcohol or any other food, drug or other substance?
     Yes No
   
   
7. Would you be concerned if the activity were to appear on the front page of The Crimson or your home-town newspaper?
     Yes No
   
   
8. If you previously were asked to participate in a similar activity, did you have any reservations?
   Yes No
    
9. Are you asking others to do something that is illegal?
   Yes No

  

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Reference:

Rahill, B. and Allan, E. (2005). Myths & facts about hazing. Retrieved from http://www.stophazing.org.

Sponsored by Alcohol and Other Drug Services | Office of Student Activities | Office of Residential Life

 
Disclaimer: You may see the phrase “new members of an organization” used often when describing hazing activities. However, hazing can and does happen to ANYONE, including recruits, current members, and new officers of an organization or team.