Students should be aware that hazing violates campus policy, federal and state law. The following information has been posted by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life for educational purposes and to inform prospective members and current members of our policies, state and federal laws as it pertains to hazing.

• Ramapo College of New Jersey Hazing Policy
• New Jersey “Timothy J. Piazza” Hazing Law
• Hazing Prevention Programs
• Campus Hazing Transparency Report

Ramapo College of New Jersey Hazing Policy

Ramapo College defines hazing as:

“Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol during potential new member activities; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the campus; forced wearing of uniformed apparel as a group; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state law.”

Depending upon circumstances, these activities have at one time or another been construed as hazing by the courts and/or institutions of higher education. Such actions are often required or implied as conditions of inclusion or exclusion from a group, formal or informal. Thus, hazing may be perpetrated by an individual(s), group(s), or part(s) of a group. 

Examples of Hazing Activities Prohibited by Ramapo College:

• Requiring any form of exercise or physical activity (such as crunches, push-ups, running, lunges, carrying heavy items, standing for long periods of time)
• Requiring a regimented public demeanor, i.e. marching, military-like demeanor, limiting use of automatic doors, restricting walking patterns, prescribing set walking formations, such as single file, or cutting corners.
• Not permitting individuals to speak for extended periods of time and/or forced exclusion from social contact; prohibition from speaking with College officials, faculty, employers/clients, club membership or leadership or roommates or prohibition from speaking with family/friends even in emergency situations.
• Requiring individuals to walk or march in formation of any kind
• Forced wearing of uniforms or apparel
• Not permitting individuals to speak for extended periods of time and/or forced exclusion from social contact
• Requiring the ingestion of any substance i.e., spoiled food, drink, concoctions, water, hot sauce
• Prolonged exposure to the elements
• Physical assault/harassment i.e., branding, blindfolding or hand-tying, beating
• Requiring dietary intake in any way i.e., food restrictions, limitations, designating diet, healthy or otherwise
• Conducting activities that do not allow adequate time for study or sleep
• Requiring prescribed greetings or recitation as part of pnm activities/pnm program in academic areas
• Deprivation of or interference with the maintenance of a normal schedule of bodily cleanliness
• Expecting certain items to always be in one’s possession that has no significance to the organization (as stated by the governing body) or that is physically burdensome or potentially dangerous i.e., pnm book, rock, bricks, pumpkin, stuffed animal etc.
• Engaging in unauthorized activities which involve compelling an individual or group of individuals to remain at a certain location or transporting anyone anywhere, within or outside the township of Mahwah i.e., road trips, treasure and scavenger hunts, kidnapping, sneaks, drop-offs, etc.
• Forcing new members to perform individual acts or acts as a group which are crude, degrading and meant to embarrass and/or humiliate, i.e., acting like an animal, simulating sexual acts
• Assigning or endorsing pranks such as borrowing or stealing items, painting property and objects of others, or harassing other individuals or groups
• Non-physical harassment including yelling and screaming or calling individuals demeaning names
• Requiring any personal servitude to another individual or group such as running errands, cleaning, making food runs, cooking, performing someone else’s academic work, requiring a new member to be a designated driver even if not involved in the activity.
• Questioning under pressure including using line-ups or drills
• Simulating or requiring activity of a sexual nature, or threatening to do so
• Expecting illegal activity or threatening to require illegal activity
• Psychological games used to intimidate new members, isolating new members and/or abandoning or falsely imprisoning new members 

*Hazing is hazing regardless of consent. Agreeing to any of the aforementioned activities or any other unauthorized activity does not make it acceptable*

Organizations may not employ practices that are contrary to governing body policy. Activities banned by governing bodies are also considered banned by Ramapo College of New Jersey. Where organization and college policies differ, the College policies will prevail.

If an organization is being charged as part of an alleged hazing incident, the charge letter will read as follows, in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct: Hazing, including organizing, engaging in, facilitating, or promoting any conduct which places or may place another person in danger. (The consent of those hazed will not be accepted as a defense.) Hazing and aggravated hazing are also crimes punishable under the provisions of Title 2C of the Statutes of the State of New Jersey. Failure to comply with any of the standards or requirements outlined in the Pledge’s Bill of Rights (developed by the Attorney General of the State of N.J. pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A: 3-24 et. seq.) will be considered a violation of this section of the Code of Conduct. Subsequent changes in hazing laws are automatically included in the Code of Conduct upon their adoption;

Please note: This list by no means covers all activities and actions that can be considered hazing. Should you have questions or desire clarification on any of these items, please contact the Center for Student Involvement, Student Center Room 200, or call 201-684-7593.

How to Report and Investigation Process Overview:

Reporting Hazing:

• Contact Office of Public Safety at 201-684-6666
• Contact Mahwah Police at 201-529-1000 or 911

Investigation Process:

• All allegations of hazing will be investigated by the Public Safety Department. For serious violations of college policies, and where local, state, or federal laws are violated, consultation and referral to local/state/federal law enforcement may be required.
• Investigations will be prompt and comprehensive.
• Investigative reports are sent to the Office of Student Conduct for review and possible next steps.

College Response to Hazing:

Any organization found guilty of hazing will be subject to immediate charter revocation and to college, local, state, and federal charges (individual culpability will also be established whenever possible). When the College suspects hazing is occurring or have reasonable evidence that hazing has occurred, the College will contact national and/or regional officers of the organization(s) involved if applicable as well as consult with the Ramapo College Public Safety, Mahwah Police Department and/or County.

More about Organization Hazing, Conduct, and Disciplinary Status >

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