Commitment to Anti-Hazing at CSU

Cleveland State’s Anti-Hazing Policy applies to CSU students, organizations, groups, faculty, staff, and alumni. Any individual that that works with student organizations, groups, or teams such as advisors, coaches, or volunteers are also subject to follow the university anti-hazing policy. Any individual with knowledge of hazing should report the incident, including employees of the university as Responsible Employees. Information on how to report can be found below. 

What is Hazing?  

In compliance with O.C.R. 2903.31, hazing is defined as intentionally or recklessly causing, coercing or forcing a student to do any of the acts described below for the purposes initiating or affiliating a student with an organization or group or in order to maintain or enhance a student’s membership in an organization or group. Hazing is prohibited regardless of whether the conduct occurs on or off campus.  

Actions that can be defined as hazing include: 

• Violations of federal or state law 
• Consuming food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or any substance which subjects student to risk of emotional or physical harm 
• Endure physical brutality (Ex. Whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics, exposure to the elements) 
• Endure brutality of a mental nature (Ex. Actively adversely affecting one’s mental health or individual’s dignity, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, conduct that could result in major embarrassment) 
• Endure brutality of a sexual nature 
• Endure any activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the student 

If you are unsure if an act or activity constitutes as hazing, consider the below indicators of hazing and contact Community Standards at 216-687-2048 or communitystandards@csuohio.edu.  

Key Indicators of Hazing 

• Activity is degrading/demeaning  
• Alcohol and drugs are present  
• Cryptic language used when describing event/activity/interaction 
• Active members are unwilling to participate in the same activity with new memes 
• Active and new members are unwilling to discuss activity with advisors, coaches, family, national headquarters, or prospective members 
• Members justifying actions as “tradition” to convince others that it is acceptable 
• Changes in behavior such as oversleeping, drop in GPA, or inability to focus 

How to Report

As safety is a primary focus at Cleveland state university, it is CSU’s goal to promote a culture of reporting hazing. Reporting hazing ensures information is shared with the appropriate offices that will take appropriate action.  
Hazing can be reported by contacting: 
•    Student Belonging & Success, SC 319 - 216-687-2048, sbs@csuohio.edu  
•    CSU Police Department – 216-687-2020, police@csuohio.edu  
•    Human Resources – 216-687-3636 
•    Online Hazing Report Form (LINK TO )
•    In the event of an emergency or immediate physical danger to a student or others, please contact CSU PD at 216-687-2020 OR dial 911.  

The University prohibits retaliation against any person for reporting or complaining of hazing. CSU’s Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan policy may apply to those who report under this policy or participate in investigations. Additionally, intentionally making a false report of hazing is prohibited and will result in action per the student code of conduct.

Cleveland State is required to maintain a report of all violations of this policy that are reported and result in a charge in violation of this policy. This report will be updated bi-annually on January 1st and August 1st.  

Education & Training

All students who want to join student organizations, student groups, or teams are required to complete CSU’s Hazing Prevention Education program. If you are unsure if you already completed training, please contact your RSO advisor or the Center for Campus Engagement at studentorgs@csuohio.edu or 216-523-7450.  

National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW) falls on the last week of September each year. Check VikesConnect  to see upcoming events related to hazing education and prevention.

Additional Hazing Prevention Resources

• The Gordie Center 
• Hazing Prevention Network 
• Inside Hazing 
• StopHazing 
• Ohio Department of Higher Education