Hazing Policies & Procedures
Introduction
The Stop Campus Hazing Act was passed on December 23, 2024, amending the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. The goal of the legislation is to increase transparency and accountability regarding hazing incidents that occur at college and universities.
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and personally. Hazing, in any form, is a serious violation of our community standards and is strictly prohibited.
In alignment with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, this policy seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and prevention efforts related to hazing incidents. This federal legislation underscores the importance of public reporting, increased awareness, and institutional responsibility in addressing and preventing hazing. As part of our commitment, UIC will actively educate students, faculty, and staff about the risks and consequences of hazing while ensuring appropriate enforcement measures and support resources are in place for those affected.
Hazing Policies
University Policy on Hazing
In accordance with the Student Disciplinary Policy, Article IV.C. Health and Safety Standards, students are expected to behave in a manner that promotes the health and safety of the university community. Hazing is a violation of this standard and is prohibited. For more information, please click here.
How to Report Hazing
Serious infractions of the Student Disciplinary Policy, including hazing, must be referred to the Dean of Students for a formal review and consideration of formal student conduct proceedings. Any person having knowledge of any activity or conduct which may constitute hazing should report it to the Dean of Students using the Hazing Incident Report at go.uic.edu/HazingIR, use our general incident report go.uic.edu/ConductIR, or report directly to University Police at (312) 355-5555.
Hazing Amnesty
Students who report a hazing complaint in good faith, or victims of hazing who participate in an investigation, will not be charged with other university policy violations that are brought to light in the course of the investigation arising out of, or committed as a direct result of, the hazing incident(s) under investigation (e.g., students forced to consume alcohol as part of a hazing incident will not be charged with violations of the university’s alcohol policy), unless the university determines that the violation was egregious, including, without limitation, an action that places the health or safety of any person at risk, or constitutes sex discrimination. The university reserves the right to follow up with those students related to those issues as appropriate in a non- disciplinary setting.
Process Used to Investigate Hazing
In accordance with Student Disciplinary Policy, Article III.H. Student Organization Complaints, the process used to investigate student organization misconduct, including hazing, is as follows:
- Upon receiving a report of alleged student organization misconduct, including hazing, the Dean of Students may assign the case to an investigator.
- The investigator will, at minimum:
- Make contact (if possible) with the individual(s) bringing forward the allegation(s);
- Make contact with the individual(s) alleged to have perpetrated the violations. If the conduct is organizational in nature, the investigator will contact the advisor and president of the organization under investigation;
- Conduct interviews with all parties, including victims, student(s) alleged in violating the Standards of Conduct, and any witnesses. Any person believed to have information relevant to an investigation may be contacted for an interview. The investigator may recommend interim measures (as described in Student Disciplinary Policy, Article III – Section F) to the Dean of Students at any point during the investigation;
- Investigatory Meeting:
- The investigator may require students, or a select group of students (e.g., all new members of an organization) to participate in an investigatory meeting at a pre- determined time and location. For purposes of scheduling, only the student(s) academic class schedule will only be taken into account.
- Investigation Rules:
- All electronic devices must be turned off and collected upon arrival at the designated meeting/interview location.
- A staff member will remain in the waiting room for the duration of any meeting/interview during which more than one persons have been asked to attend;
- Students invited to participate in the interview process shall meet individually with the Investigator. After the student meets with the investigator, they will be dismissed and not permitted to re-enter the waiting room if other parties involved in the matter are present in that space.
- Any individual(s) refusing to cooperate with the investigation process may be referred for disciplinary action through the conduct process for Failure to Comply with University Directives.
- The investigator will also gather other relevant information or evidence, including, but not limited to documents, photographs, communications between the parties, medical records (subject to the consent of the applicable person), and other electronic records as appropriate.
- The University strives to work in partnership with the national or international offices of a student organization. To that end, the University may notify the national office of alleged organizational misconduct at any point in the process. Additionally, the University recognizes the right of a national or international office to initiate its own proceedings regarding alleged organizational misconduct separate and apart from the University’s proceedings. To the degree, the University believes it is appropriate, the University may honor any sanctions imposed by the national or international office of a student organization as additions to any sanctions the University imposes.
- Conclusion of Investigation:
- Investigations are normally concluded, including submission of the investigative report, within 30 days. If additional time is needed, all parties will be notified of the reason for delay and a projected timeline for completion.
- The investigator will provide a written investigative report, which includes a synopsis of all relevant information, to the Dean of Students. Investigative reports will not include names or identifying information; however, it will provide pseudonyms for all participants.
- Upon receipt of this report, the Dean of Students will determine if alleged violations of the Standards of Conduct are warranted. If alleged violations are warranted, the Dean of Students Office will charge the individual student(s), the involved student organization(s), and/or the President or other responsible officers of the involved student organization(s) or any other complicit bystanders in accordance with the Standards of Conduct of the Student Disciplinary Policy.
- Adjudication of said charges shall be conducted pursuant to the Student Disciplinary Policy.
Hazing involving Sexual Misconduct
Any alleged violation of the Hazing policy that intersects with the Sexual Misconduct policy will be referred to and investigated under the Comprehensive Policy and Procedures for Sexual Misconduct Grievance Process.
Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Definition
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the term “hazing”, for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents in the UIC Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, means:
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that—
- is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
- causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including– whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity; causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity; causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances; causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct; any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
State of Illinois Definition
(720 ILCS 5/12C-50) Sec. 12C-50. Hazing.
- A person commits hazing when he or she knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State, for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution, if:
- the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution; and
- the act results in bodily harm to any person.
(a-1) It is not a defense to a prosecution under subsection (a) that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing.
- Sentence. Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, except that hazing that results in death or great bodily harm is a Class 4 felony.
(Source: P.A. 103-765, eff. 1-1-25.)