The University of Michigan is committed to protecting its students, faculty and staff by fostering a culture of inclusion and support in a safe environment. A key element of this commitment is the university’s stand against hazing.

Hazing practices are potentially hazardous to life and limb and may often place their victims at risk of physical and emotional damage. 

In December 2024, with bipartisan support, President Biden signed into law the Stop Campus Hazing Act. The act, among other things, requires institutions of higher learning that participate in federal student aid programs to implement a hazing policy with information on how to make a report of hazing and how hazing will be investigated, as well as to annually disclose statistics regarding hazing incidents reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies.

To ensure compliance with federal law, the university recently updated its hazing policy first enacted in 1982. The policy applies to all U-M campuses and clearly defines what constitutes hazing. It also outlines strict penalties for violations and provides direction on how to report incidents of hazing.

The policy prohibits hazing by all students, student organizations, faculty and staff. Student organizations include, but are not limited to, a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, social, professional, or pre-professional fraternity, sorority, band or student government in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the university, whether the organization is established or recognized by the university.

The policy covers acts of hazing committed as part of a U-M program or activity on campus or on other property owned or controlled by the university. This includes the cities of Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint and anywhere else if the conduct poses an obvious and serious threat of harm.

U-M’s hazing policy emphasizes that safeguarding the Michigan community is a shared duty — and it hinges on robust reporting.

Creating and maintaining a safe campus community that is free from violence is the responsibility of every member of our university,” said Rick Arnold, interim executive director of the Division of Public Safety and Security

In addition, Campus Security Authorities (school officials with significant responsibility for student and campus activities) are required to provide to the Division of Public Safety and Security information about any hazing incidents reported to them on or after Jan. 1, 2025.

Reports can be made through several channels including:

• Anonymous compliance hotline at 866-990-0111
• Online forms
• DPSS

Anyone experiencing an emergency or are in imminent danger of harm should immediately contact 911 or DPSS at 734-763-1131.

By making use of these multiple reporting channels, community members enable the university to act swiftly and decisively whenever concerns arise.

The university will review all reports of hazing under this policy to determine whether an investigation is warranted and any investigation process will ultimately assess whether each reported incident constitutes a policy violation.

Any individuals or student organizations found to be in violation of the policy may be subject to university disciplinary action, including suspension, expulsion, and/or termination of their affiliation with the university. In addition, any hazing activity that violates local, state, tribal or federal law may also result in criminal prosecution.

The university is committed to hazing prevention through proactive education and awareness programs. More information about the programs and resources available can be found on the Dean of Students website.