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02.400 Policy Hazing Prevention Reporting

UNCW prohibits any form of hazing, on or off campus, and will respond swiftly to reports of hazing received from any source. When hazing complaints are received, the University will determine whether to proceed with campus disciplinary action, forward a report to appropriate law enforcement officials for prosecution as a criminal matter, or both. Individuals who voluntarily or involuntarily inflict or participate in hazing behaviors are subject to such action.

Authority:

Chancellor

History

Established September 2025

Source of Authority:

20 U.S.C. § 1092(f) (also known as the Clery Act) and Stop Campus Hazing Act

Related Links:

Responsible Office:

Division of Student Affairs/Office of Human Resources/Office of Title IX and Clery Compliance/Athletics

Policy Details:

  1. INTRODUCTION

    UNCW prohibits any form of hazing, on or off campus, and will respond swiftly to reports of hazing received from any source. When hazing complaints are received, the University will determine whether to proceed with campus disciplinary action, forward a report to appropriate law enforcement officials for prosecution as a criminal matter, or both. Individuals who voluntarily or involuntarily inflict or participate in hazing behaviors are subject to such action.

  2. DEFINITIONS

    1. Hazing

      Hazing at UNCW is strictly prohibited and is defined as:

      Any intentional or unintentional, voluntary or involuntary, reckless action, occurring on or off campus, by an individual student, group, organization, or other persons associated with an organization, whether officially recognized by the university or not, in connection to recruitment, initiation, rite of passage, membership, or maintenance of membership, in any group or organization, including but not limited to, a fraternal organization, sport club, group, registered or unregistered organization, or athletic team, that subjects any other member of the university community to activity which creates an atmosphere for potential or actual humiliation, degradation, verbal, emotional or physical distress, abuse or injury, or compromises the academic mission and/or reputation of the university.

      Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to:

      • Blindfolding activities that serve no constructive purpose, including parading in public areas or transporting

      • Burning, branding, or tattooing any part of the body

      • Confinement

      • Exposure to uncomfortable elements

      • Forced consumption of alcohol or any other substance, legal or illegal

      • Forced servitude, including but not limited to serving as a designated driver

      • Kidnapping (taking individuals to an undisclosed location)

      • Sleep Deprivation

      • Tests of Endurance

      • Verbal Abuse

  3. REPORTING

    1. Mandatory Reporters

      The following are considered mandatory reporters of hazing:

      1. Campus Security Authorities (CSA) as defined through Clery regulations and defined through UNCW Policy 05.505 Crime Reporting, Timely Warning and Emergency Response Procedures. Failure to report alleged hazing could result in disciplinary action up to or including dismissal from the university.

    2. Responsibilities of Non-Mandatory Reporters

      While employees or students who are not designated as Campus Security Authorities (CSA), or independently classified as Confidential Employees, are not mandated reporters under this policy, they are strongly encouraged to report any known or suspected acts of hazing they are made aware of. Confidential employees who are jointly designated as Campus Security Authorities shall report any known or suspected acts of hazing anonymously.

    3. How to Report

      UNCW encourages the reporting of incidents of hazing and takes every such report seriously. Hazing can be reported to the university through several methods, which can be found on the UNCW Stop Campus Hazing website.

      1. Anonymously

        1. Submit a Hazing Incident Reporting Form

        2. Call the University Police Department at 910-962-8477(TIPS)

        3. Send an anonymous email from the Police Department web page at www.uncw.edu/police

        4. RealResponse Application – Student-Athlete reporting system

      2. Phone/Email Reporting

        1. Call the Hazing Hotline at 910-962-7329

        2. Email Hazing@uncw.edu

      3. In person to the following offices:

        1. Human Resources – Administrative Annex, Suite 1046

        2. Office of the Dean of Students – DePaolo Hall, Suite 1092

        3. University Police Department – 5126 Lionfish Drive

  4. Retaliation

    No person may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual because the individual made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an inquiry or investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this policy. Complaints alleging retaliation may be filed with the Office of the Dean of Students or the Office of Human Resources.

  5. Medical Amnesty

    1. Sometimes individuals are hesitant to report to university officials because they fear that they or others may be charged with policy violations (such as underage drinking). To enable the highest safety standards and health care responses for our students, it is essential that students feel safe to report incidents to university officials, especially when they or others may be in medical distress. The university does not want the fear of repercussions for reporting to be a barrier to seeking help. To mitigate barriers to requesting medical aid that may be caused by consumption or use of alcohol and/or other drugs, medical amnesty shall apply to:

      • Students who request medical aid for themselves;

      • Students who request medical aid for another student(s);

      • Students for whom medical aid is rendered; and/or

      • Students and/or organizations who are victims and/or witnesses of a crime (including, but not limited to, hazing, sexual misconduct, interpersonal violence, assault, theft, or vandalism) and may have simultaneously violated university policy regarding the possession, consumption, or use of alcohol and/or other drugs.

    2. Medical amnesty does not apply to:

      1. Students who are first reported by or treated by university officials or emergency personnel;

      2. Law enforcement agencies within their jurisdictions enforcing federal, state, or local laws (however, state laws related to medical amnesty may apply); or

      3. Students who are engaging in behaviors other than possession, consumption or use of alcohol and/or other drugs (including, but not limited to, driving under the influence, manufacturing/distribution/delivery of drugs, possessing with intent to sell/manufacture/distribute/deliver drugs, sexual misconduct, relationship violence, or stalking.)

    3. The Dean of Students has sole discretion related to the initiation of medical amnesty. To receive relief under medical amnesty, the student or organization must agree to a recommended plan of action, which may include a referral to Health Promotion for alcohol/drug education, and/or referrals to other campus/community resources, educational programming, and/or parental notification. A student or organization that fails to meet the expectations of the recommended plan of action will no longer be eligible for relief under medical amnesty and may be referred to the student conduct process. The Office of the Dean of Students will maintain a record of the accepted action plan for eight (8) years in accordance with the UNC General Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. The record is internal to the university and will not be disclosed as part of any prior conduct records, except as required by law.

    4. There are provisions in North Carolina General Statutes that provide amnesty for individuals seeking medical assistance for others experiencing drug- or alcohol-related overdoses. This includes North Carolina General Statute § 18B-302.2, which relates to alcohol, and North Carolina General Statute § 90-96.2, which relates to drugs.

  6. INQUIRY AND INVESTIGATION OF HAZING ALLEGATIONS

    1. Allegations of hazing will result in inquiries and/or investigations by the Office of the Dean of Students in coordination with the Office of Human Resources, if applicable.

      1. Allegations of hazing perpetrated by an individual warranting an investigation shall follow the investigative procedures outlined in the Code of Student LifeSection II-2-B. Possible sanctions can range from disciplinary probation to expulsion.

        1. Allegations of hazing that involve acts of sexual misconduct and interpersonal violence shall follow the investigative procedures outlined in 02.210 Title IX Grievance Policy, 04.130 Student Gender-Based Sexual Misconduct Policy, or 02.205 Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy.

      2. Allegations of hazing perpetrated by a student organization warranting an investigation shall follow the investigative procedures outlined in the Code of Student LifeSection IV-9. Possible sanctions can range from disciplinary probation to suspension for the organization, in addition to charges against individual actors.

      3. Allegations of hazing perpetrated by an employee warranting an investigation shall follow the investigative procedures outlined in 02.205 Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy. Violations of UNCW Policy on Hazing Prevention and Reportingby an employee may result in disciplinary action up to and including separation in accordance with applicable university policies and procedures.

  7. TRANSPARENCY REPORT

    The university will publish a “Campus Hazing Transparency Report” to disclose all reported incidents of hazing for which a finding of responsibility was issued against an established or registered student organization (RSO). The report will be published, at least biannually, on the university website, www.uncw.edu/hazing. This report shall identify the name of the RSO, date and brief description of the incident, timeline of the investigation and adjudication, sanction, and the date the RSO was informed of the outcome. Each new incident shall remain on the web page for at least five years after the date of the finding.

  8. APPLICABLE STATE LAWS

    1. Pursuant to North Carolina law:

      1. It is unlawful for any student in attendance at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing, or to aid or abet any other student in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class A1 misdemeanor.

      2. It is unlawful for any school personnel, including, but not limited to, a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer, or coach at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing or to aid or abet any person in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class I felony.

      3. For the purposes of this section, hazing is defined as subjecting a student to physical or serious psychological injury as part of an initiation, or as a prerequisite to membership, into any organized school group, including any society, athletic team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group. (Harrison’s Law – North Carolina General Statute §14-35)

    2. If a matter is reported to law enforcement, the individual involved may be subject to criminal investigation and potential legal action in accordance with applicable laws.

  9. PRIMARY PREVENTION AND EDUCATION STRATEGIES

    The university provides research-informed campus-wide prevention programs to all students, faculty, and staff. A list of current prevention programs shall be maintained on the Stop Campus Hazing website (www.uncw.edu/hazing). All individuals designated as Campus Security Authorities shall receive annual reporting and prevention training, including hazing.