Anti-Hazing Policy & Resources

What is Hazing?

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. For more information, please see the link to California State University's .

 

If you suspect or have experienced hazing at Cal State East Bay, it's essential to report it. Here’s a list of departments and resources that can assist you in reporting hazing:

Myths About Hazing

1. Myth: Hazing is Just a Tradition and Everyone Expects It
   Scenario: A freshman athlete joins a college soccer team, believing that participating in hazing rituals is a rite of passage. He thinks everyone goes through it and believes that enduring embarrassing challenges will earn him respect. However, many of his teammates actually dislike hazing and want to end the cycle, feeling it harms team unity.

2. Myth: Hazing Builds Stronger Bonds Among Members
   Scenario: In a sorority, upperclassmen tell new initiates that the hazing rituals they will go through will create lifelong friendships. The initiates struggle to fit in, facing humiliation during events, which actually discourages them rather than fostering connections. In reality, the strongest bonds develop through mutual respect and support, not through shared distress.

3. Myth: Hazing is Harmless Fun
   Scenario: During band camp, some upperclassmen think it’s all in good fun to make freshmen sing embarrassing songs in public. They disregard the discomfort it causes those freshmen, believing it promotes cohesion. However, those who are targeted often feel excluded and humiliated, and many choose not to continue with the band due to the negative experience.

4. Myth: Only New Members Are Hazed
   Scenario:At a fraternity, it’s believed that only pledges are subjected to hazing rituals. However, during a party, older members are pressured to reinitiate old traditions, leading to new members witnessing seniors being humiliated as well. This creates a toxic atmosphere where hazing is seen as a continued cycle, causing distrust within the fraternity.

5. Myth: Hazing is Accepted by All Organizations
   Scenario: A student eager to join the university’s crew team believes that hazing is a standard practice across all athletic teams. She assumes that being able to endure intimidation and initiation rites is necessary to prove her dedication. However, she later discovers that many institutions have strict anti-hazing policies, and the crew team prioritizes inclusivity and support instead of harmful traditions.