Hazing Data
Hazing Data
Rowan University Campus Hazing Transparency Report
Rowan University has a long-standing commitment to end hazing as well as the practices and traditions which result in the embarrassment, injury, and/or death of students. In that spirit, Rowan University is dedicated to implementing activities, events, proactive training sessions, programs, and accountability in an effort to prevent and eliminate hazing.
STOP CAMPUS HAZING ACT (2024):
This law requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding to create a campus-wide hazing prevention program, publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report for publicly reporting hazing incidents, and report hazing incidents in their Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Annual Security Report (ASR). In accordance, Rowan University:
- Develops, implements, and evaluates research-based hazing awareness and prevention programs.
- Publishes and updates a campus hazing tranparency report.
- Publishes hazing statistics in the Annual Security and Fire Report (ASR) as of 2026.
NJ S84 - "Timothy J. Piazza's Law" (2023):
This law requires institutions of higher education to publicly post violations associated with hazing. As a result, it enhances the accountability associated with hazing in an effort to end the practice and prevent injuries, distress, and deaths of students who wish to be members of “organizations”.
Summary:A person commits the disorderly persons offense of hazing if, in connection with initiation of applicants to or members of a student or fraternal organization, he knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates, or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events, which places or may place another person in danger of bodily injury. Any such hazing act is upgraded to aggravated hazing, a crime of the fourth degree, if serious bodily injury results. This bill increases disorderly persons hazing to a crime of the fourth degree and aggravated hazing to a crime of the third degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Additionally, the bill clarifies that prohibited hazing conduct includes, but is not limited to, causing, coercing, or forcing the consumption of alcohol or drugs. "Timothy J. Piazza's Law", upgrades hazing; clarifies that prohibited conduct includes causing, coercing, or forcing consumption of alcohol or drugs.
Comparing the Campus Hazing Transparency Report and the Annual Security and Fire Report (ASR):
In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Rowan University provides two distinct reports that serve different but complementary purposes in promoting campus safety and transparency:
1. Campus Hazing Transparency Report
- Purpose: To publicly disclose all reported incidents of hazing involving student organizations.
- Content: Includes detailed descriptions of hazing allegations, findings from investigations, sanctions imposed, and resolution dates.
- Scope: Focuses exclusively on hazing-related conduct, regardless of whether the behavior occurred on or off campus, and whether or not it was sanctioned by the organization.
- Audience: Intended for students, families, and the public to understand the university’s response to hazing and to promote accountability and prevention.
- Location: Available through the Vice Chancellor of Student Life/Dean of Students' Office and Webpage.
2. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
- Purpose: A comprehensive overview of campus crime statistics, fire safety data, and institutional policies related to safety and emergency response.
- Content: Includes statistics on crimes such as sexual assault, robbery, and hate crimes; fire incidents in residential facilities; and policies on drug/alcohol use, emergency procedures, and campus security.
- Scope: Covers all Clery-reportable crimes and fire incidents occurring on campus, in campus-owned buildings, and on public property adjacent to campus.
- Audience: Designed for prospective and current students, employees, and the general public to make informed decisions about campus safety.
- Location: Published annually on the Rowan University Police Department Webpage.
Rowan University Hazing Policy:
Hazing: Engaging in a manner that a reasonable person would conclude endangers the mental or physical health or safety or which may demean, disgrace, or degrade any person, regardless of location, intent, or consent of participant(s). Although hazing is generally related to a person’s initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any group or organization, it is not necessary that a person’s initiation or continued membership is contingent upon participation in the activity, or that the activity was sanctioned or approved by the organization, for a charge of hazing to be upheld. The actions of active, associate, new, and/or prospective members of an organization may be considered hazing. Includes, but is not limited to,
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- Unreasonable interference with a student's academic performance
- Forced or coerced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or any other substance
- Forced or coerced wearing of apparel which is conspicuous and/or inappropriate
- Forced or coerced exclusion from social contact
- Branding
- Creation of unnecessary fatigue
- Deprivation of food
- Beating, whipping, or paddling in any form
- Line-ups and berating
- Physical and/or psychological shocks
- Personal servitude
- Kidnapping or abandonment
- Unreasonable exposure to the weather
- Any activity subjecting a person to embarrassment, degradation, or humiliation
- Expectation of participation in activities that are unlawful, lewd or in violation of University policy.
How to Report Concerns:
We appreciate that reporting an allegation of hazing can be difficult for some. However, if you are aware of hazing, please submit a report. If you prefer to make a report in person, you may contact the Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students. Doing so will enhance the student experience at Rowan and could save the life of one of your peers.
We also understand that individuals who report concerns may have a fear of “getting in trouble”. Our primary goal is to prevent students from embarrassment, injury, and/or death. Both NJ S84 and the Rowan University Student Code of Conduct have “Good Samaritan” clauses which prioritize medical emergencies over individual prosecution and/or referral to Community Standards.
Hazing Report Data:
* Note, beginning Fall of 2025, in compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024), the data that is reported will be more comprehensive than prior to Fall 2025. As a result, the linked information will have a slightly different appearance when comparing data on a year-to-year basis.
