Hazing Prevention

Millersville University's policy can be found at  Millersville University Governance & Policies Anti-Hazing.

Hazing, as defined in the University Anti-Hazing Policy, means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individual 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 or 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 a 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. 

In addition to violating this policy and the University’s Student Code of Conduct, hazing is a criminal offense under Pennsylvania’s Crimes Code and is graded from a summary offense up to a third-degree felony depending on the severity of the misconduct. See 18 of Pa.C.S. §§2802-2803. 

 

Not sure if it's hazing? Ask yourself these two questions;

1. Is the activity directly tied to an outcome that we would all agree is noble/positive and relevant to the group?
2. Is the activity dangerous, degrading, excessive, or illegal?

• Tradition: Builds community, celebrates group identity, and allows members to participate without fear, pressure, or risk of harm. 
• Hazing: Requires, expects, or pressures someone to participate in behavior that causes physical, emotional, psychological, or social harm as a condition of joining, remaining in, or being accepted by a group.

A Simple Test

Ask yourself: 

• Would participants feel comfortable saying "no" without consequences?
• Is this activity safe and respectful?
• Would we be comfortable posting photos of the activity online?
• Would parents, university officials, or coaches approve of it?
• Is participation unrelated to earning membership or status?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, the activity may be hazing rather than a tradition.

The University supports and enforces the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024 and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, Act 80 of 2018. Failure to notify the University of an incident of hazing may be a violation of this policy. Any individual experiencing or witnessing behavior suspected of hazing is encouraged to report the behavior through one or more of the methods below;

Hazing/Organizational Misconduct Report Form

Campus Life: SMC 118, 717-871-7056, campuslife@millersville.edu

Student Conduct & Community Standards: SMC 107, 717-871-5841, Student.Conduct@millersville.edu 

• Jackie Aliotta, Director of Campus Life
• Lori Austin, Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards 
• NJ Brown, Assistant Director of Campus Life - Fraternity and Sorority Life/Student Engagement 
• Larry Earnesty, Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics 
• Allison Hill, Assistant Director of Campus Life - Student Orgs and Leadership 
• Alison Sehl, Assistant Director of Student Affairs  
• Ron Wiafe, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs 
• Allison Yarrow, Director of Campus Recreation 

During the past academic year, prevention efforts have taken place to educate the campus on anti-hazing. Below is a list of these efforts. 

Athletics:

• Within the Department of Athletics, a web-based software, ARMS, is utilized to assign an educational document unique to each student-athlete annually. This document lists the state law/university policy and requires the student-athlete to review and sign off that they understand and agree. This action is required prior to a student-athlete being cleared for practice and/or competition.
• According to NCAA rules and regulations, Millersville University is required annually to conduct a compliance seminar with all student-athletes before they are cleared to begin participation. During this meeting, a specific topic addressed is hazing; athletic administration and coaches educate student-athletes on the expectations of anti-hazing prevention and reporting obligations. Annually, approximately 500 student-athletes sign off on these documents. Additionally, the Department of Athletics has access to these signed forms.
• Coaches speak with students-athletes, particularly new students, annually about hazing as well as through recruiting trips. 

Campus Life - General:

• In the fall 2025 semester, Campus Life sponsored programming during National Hazing Prevention Week from September 22nd- September 26th. On September 22, 2025, 194 students attended the Hazing Prevention Fair to learn more about hazing resources and how to prevent it. Participating areas included: Fraternity & Sorority Life, Campus Recreation, Student Conduct, Club Sports Council, and Student Organizations & Leadership. Those who participated signed the banner and received free cookie dough from Scoop-O-Dough. On September 23, 2025, 6 students participated in a hazing prevention trivia. On September 24, 2024, 12 students attended a guest speaker, Dr. Michael Ayalon from Greek University, who spoke on Membership Accountability. Students were able to join online webinars hosted by the Hazing Prevention Network to learn more ways to combat hazing.  
• On June 16, 2026 the Department of Campus Life, the Division of Student Affairs, and Student Conduct & Community Standards hosted a Hazing Investigation Training here at Millersville University. This was a full-day training designed to equip faculty and staff with the knowledge and skills to effectively investigate hazing allegations. Topics included hazing policy, investigation protocols, interviewing strategies, the psychology of hazing, and the development of appropriate sanctions and outcomes. There were 19 faculty and staff members in attendance from all across the University.

Campus Life - Student Organizations:

• Hazing Prevention information and the Anti-Hazing Policy were added to the Student Organization Guidebook in August 2019 and continue to be included in the guidebook. 
• Each semester, the assistant director of Student Organizations and Leadership or a Campus Life representative meet with the president and new member educator of student organizations that have new member programs and are not part of Fraternity & Sorority Life. Phi Sigma Pi falls into this category. The University’s Anti-Hazing Policy is reviewed. In addition, the Campus Life representative reads the student organizations’ New Member Calendar and reviews every event taking place during the New Member Program. Every single member of these organizations signs compliance forms, stating that they have read and agreed to the Anti-Hazing Policy. These files are on record in Campus Life.  
• Every academic year, for all student organizations to remain active, the president and one other executive board member of every organization must complete the online Hazing Prevention 101 course hosted by Prevent Zone. This required training was mentioned at the President’s Leadership Retreat.  
• The Student Organizations & Leadership area of Campus Life hosted Lead the Ville, a 5-part leadership series this fall 2025 semester. One of the leadership topics covered was ethical leadership. We chose ethical leadership as a topic so that it’s an additional hazing prevention intervention. 

Campus Life - Fraternity and Sorority Life: 

• All prospective new members of Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL), before they are eligible to join FSL, must sign the Anti-Hazing Acknowledgement Form and participate in the Hazing Prevention 101 training. The Anti-Hazing Policy and resources on hazing prevention are also listed and available in the prospective new member documentation that each prospective new member must sign before joining FSL. 
• The University Anti-Hazing Policy is also read during informational or interest meetings by the director of Campus Life and/or assistant director of FSL. 
• FSL members must participate in the Hazing Prevention 101 and the FSL hazing module through Prevent Zone annually. Presidents and vice presidents are also required to complete the training as part of the Activate Your Org process. 
• All Anti-Hazing Acknowledgement Forms are on record with Campus Life.  
• All new member education processes must be reviewed and approved with the Assistant Director of FSL prior to chapters being eligible to host new member education.  
• At the New Member Orientation and Presidents’ Retreat held annually, the Anti-Hazing Policy and available hazing resources are reviewed.  
• As of August 2021, all chapters must have the Anti-Hazing Policy read by the Office of Campus Life or delegate at any informational or interest meeting.  
• As of Fall 2024, all new members must attend a mandatory meeting. If they cannot attend, they are required to participate in a D2L module. The meeting covers risk management, FSL expectations, marketing, and FSL policies. The policies portion include the MU Anti-Hazing Policy, recognition procedures, and the hazing prevention bi-annual report. This semester, the two meetings were held on Tuesday, April 28th, and Wednesday, April 29th at 5 p.m. A total of 45 students attended and 29 will participate in the virtual module during the summer break. 

Student Conduct & Community Standards: 

• The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards conducts annual training with Resident Assistants (RAs). During this training, the student code of conduct and behavioral expectations of students are reviewed.  The Resident Assistants are also trained on how to address violations of the SCC.
• Student Conduct participated in the Anti-Hazing Tabling event during Hazing Prevention week to educate students on the conduct process during a hazing investigation.  

University human resources:

• Pennsylvanica's State System of Higher Education believes in the importance of creating a safe and healthy environment for employees and everyone who is part of our campus community. To this end, PASSHE partnered with Vector Solutions to provide training modules which educate employees on topics vital to achieveing our goal.
  • Hazing Awareness and Prevention: The goals of this course are to help employees understand what hazing is, explain why hazing occurs and educate best ways to identify and address hazing incidents. This course will also cover the definition of hazing, health and legal risks, and your responsibility.
    • All faculty, staff, and students are required to complete this module within 90 days of hire and every three years thereafter.

TBD

Can hazing occur without physical harm?

Yes. Hazing does not have to involve physical harm to be considered hazing. Activities that cause emotional, psychological, or social harm, or that pressure, humiliate, intimidate, or degrade an individual, may constitute hazing even if no one is physically injured. 

Who can be held responsible for hazing incidents?

Individuals, and student organizations may be held accountable for hazing incidents. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may extend to those who participate in, encourage, permit, or fail to take appropriate action to prevent hazing. 

Can I report hazing anonymously?

Yes, the online Hazing and Organizational Misconduct Report Form can be submitted anonymously. 

We understand that you may not want the organization, or your student to know who the report came from. However, we are limited in what we can do and what we can investigate if we are unable to follow up with the reporting party. 

What happens after a report is submitted?

Hazing reports are reviewed by appropriate university offices to determine next steps. Depending on the nature of the report, interim actions, referrals, or investigations may be initiated. Reports are then addressed through the applicable university processes, including the Student Code of Conduct, and may be referred to law enforcement when warranted.

Please note, that varying parameters and reporting requirements will result in different statistics with hazing crimes counted in the Clery, Annual Security Report; compared to responsible findings listed to comply with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Transparency Report; and reported incidents listed to comply with the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, Biannual Hazing Report.