Hazing and associated harms are a national concern and the University is committed to maintaining an educational environment that promotes the health and safety of its students. In addition to risks of physical harm, hazing often involves humiliation, shame, and negative impacts on mental health. Hazing can happen to anyone, can occur in any organization with a hierarchy, and violates Virginia law and University policy, regardless of whether a person gave consent to the activity. UVA hazing prevention, education and intervention initiatives are evidence-informed, comprehensive, and coordinated across the University. The culture of student self-governance ensures that students are significantly engaged in the decision-making process.

This document provides details of our public health approach to hazing and is based on Cornell University’s Hazing Prevention Model that includes eight key areas: 

Leadership Initiatives & Culture Change Strategies

Visible leadership statements: Clear messages from senior university officials, including President Ryan, and student leaders focus on the dangers of hazing and reporting strategies.

Hoos Against Hazing website: The site, coordinated by Student Affairs, is the central source for hazing education and prevention, links to hazing policies and procedures, reporting options, and hazing misconduct reports.

Hoos Against Hazing Council (HAHC): HAHC works to identify and advocate for ways to engage the UVA community in evidence-informed hazing prevention, intervention and response.  The council meets twice per semester, with smaller working groups meeting every other week to identify issues, create initiatives, and advocate for change.

National Hazing Prevention Collaborative: The University of Virginia participated in the inaugural National Collaborative for Hazing Prevention and Research from 2013 – 2016 led by Dr. Elizabeth Allan, Director of Stop Hazing.

Policy Initiatives

These policies are regularly reviewed (at least every three years) and updated in accordance with Commonwealth of Virginia law and best practices.

Policy on Prohibition of Hazing: Hazing is a crime in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is prohibited in accordance with UVA policy and the University’s Standards of Conduct. The University does not condone hazing in any form. In addition to students, the policy applies to employees with involvement in student organizations or groups, including those acting in an official capacity as an advisor or coach. The University prohibits retaliation directed against a person for making a good faith complaint under the policy or who testifies, assists, or participates in an investigation or adjudication process.

Support for Reporting Allegations of Hazing and Retaliation: To encourage reporting and participation in the investigation process, the University will not pursue disciplinary action against complainants, respondents, or witnesses for disclosure of minor policy violations where such disclosures are made in connection with a good faith report or investigation of hazing or retaliation. This does not apply to more serious allegations such as physical abuse of another or illicit drug or alcohol distribution that contributed to the commission of a policy violation.

Educational Initiatives

Hoos Against Hazing: In compliance with Virginia’s “Adam’s Law,” enacted July 1, 2022, all potential members of student organizations with a new member process are required to attend a one-hour, in-person program on hazing prevention, reporting, and response, including the role of alcohol. The mandatory program is part of new student orientation and is offered to upperclass students throughout the year. Current members of student organizations and their advisors also received this training.   

There’s No Honor in Hazing Campaign: This media campaign features quotes from University faculty, coaches, administrators, and students on the incompatibility of hazing with a community of trust. The campaign employs Instagram, posters on UTS buses, and electronic message boards.

Fraternal Organization Agreement requirements: Every fraternity and sorority chapter is required to have at least one hour of hazing prevention education each year with at least 70% attendance.

Gordie Club: This student organization hosts events and activities to educate peers on the risks of hazing and works to ensure students know the signs of alcohol overdose and how to respond.

HAZE: The Gordie Center’s HAZE documentary shares the story of Gordie Bailey's 2004 hazing-related alcohol overdose death at the University of Colorado. HAZE presentations are followed by a discussion focused on prevention and intervention.

Peer Leader Training: Resident Assistants and Orientation Leaders are trained in hazing education issues, including identifying signs of hazing and an alcohol emergency, intervention techniques, and reporting requirements.

Stall Seat Journal: Social norms marketing posters are updated monthly in the bathrooms of first-year residence halls and other University buildings. Information on hazing and reporting options is included at higher-risk times of the year.

University Judiciary Committee (UJC) Mock Trial: UJC offers an annual hazing mock trial to increase trust and awareness of how hazing cases are handled by the student-run committee.

Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) Presidents Roundtable: IFC presidents engage in an annual discussion of the risks of hazing and hazardous alcohol consumption during bid day, big/little night, and initiation, and strategies to reduce risk.

UVA Police: Officers in the Crime Prevention Unit speak with student groups upon request.

Gordie Center Prevention Toolkit: Over 30 videos, Instagram campaigns, posters, and print materials on hazing prevention, bystander intervention, and response are available for free download to students and family members.

Mass communication: Via mass email to all students, the Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer sends periodic messages to students about safety, including information about hazing and alcohol misuse. Messages are reinforced over social media and in the weekly Connections newsletter. 

Healthy Group-Building Activities

Engaging New Members: The Hoos Against Hazing website offers resources tailored for fraternities and sororities, athletic teams, and other student organizations on the process of creating healthy new member programs through a five-step process, including links to University resources.

Gordie Center Videos: The UVA Gordie Center partnered with students to create short videos on how to create meaningful new member programs specific to athletic teams and other organizations.

Student Engagement: This office offers leadership development programs and online resources.

RecSports’ Slaughter climbing center: Groups can schedule a climbing training class or their outdoor challenge course, where mental and physical team-builders are conducted by a trained facilitator. These activities develop team building, leadership, and conflict management.

Clear Reporting Options

The University provides multiple avenues for students, parents, faculty, staff, and community members to report hazing. If you see or hear something that concerns you, please report that concern or incident to support the health, safety, and well-being of students

Just Report It: Just Report It is the university’s online system for reporting discrimination, bias, hazing, and other safety issues. The system requires University affiliation to access the system through Netbadge.

CASS on Call: Call (434) 924-7133 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). After hours contact the University Police Department at (434) 924-7166 and ask them to refer you to CASS on Call.

Hazing Hotline: Anyone may anonymously report situations involving suspected hazing by calling 434-243-HAZE (4293).

Reporting Procedures: A flowchart explaining the University hazing investigation process, including potential sanctions for groups found responsible for hazing is posted to the Hoos Against Hazing website. 

Consistent Enforcement and Firm Consequences

The University carefully reviews all reports of hazing behavior to determine appropriate next steps. In cases where there is evidence of a potential ongoing threat to health or safety, the University may take interim protective measures including suspension of a student organization. Reports of hazing are reviewed by the Hazing Evaluation Panel (HEP) which determines if a report 1) is actionable, 2) presents a risk to health or safety, 3) requires additional reporting (e.g., Commonwealth’s Attorney, Title IX), and 4) requires a response. Responses may include an extended initial inquiry, investigation, expedited investigation, or no action (in situations where a report is not actionable).  

Policy, Accountability, and Critical Events (PACE): This Student Affairs unit coordinates and supports student accountability processes, policy and compliance, and critical incident/event response, including conducting hazing investigations.

University Judiciary Committee (UJC): This student-run committee adjudicates alleged violations of the student Standards of Conduct, including those involving hazing. The committee sanctions students and organizations relevant to the policy violation.

Support for Those Who Are Hazed

The University offers a variety of support options for students who have experienced hazing including online educational resources.

Care and Support Services The Care and Student Support team provides 24-hour on-call crisis response services to University students who are in need of support or referrals.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Clinicians are available to counsel students on hazing and other concerns.

Student Health and Wellness Medical Services: Clinicians treat students with hazing-related injuries and refer to resources. The Medical Services Care Manager reviews all after-hours records and Emergency Department visit summaries related to medical issues, notifies the provider of records, and reaches out to the student with follow-up options as indicated.

Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center Counseling: The Women’s Center offers free and flexible counseling, as well as digital resources, to help undergraduate students of all genders address any problems that they may be facing.

HELP Line: 434-295-TALK is a free, confidential 24/7 hotline run and staffed by UVA students. Anonymous volunteers provide callers a confidential, empathetic, and non-judgmental listener. Note: the HELP Line only operates during the academic year (September - May).

Transparency Regarding Violations

UVA Hazing Misconduct Reporting: Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 23.1-822 (“Adam's Law”), the University provides a report of past hazing misconduct involving student organizations. The information includes the name of the student organization, the dates (if known) of the hazing behavior, the date such behavior was reported to the University, the dates of investigation and when the organization was found responsible, and a description of the findings. The University updates this information at least ten calendar days prior to the start of each fall and spring semester, and typically within 14 days of a finding of responsibility for hazing behavior.