The Office of Campus Life strictly prohibits hazing of any kind in any student organization at The College of New Jersey. Students at TCNJ are held accountable for both violations of state law and college policy as it is related to hazing.
New Jersey Statutes: 2C: 40-3
A. A person is guilty of hazing, a disorderly person offense, 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.
B. A person is guilty of aggravated hazing, a crime of the fourth degree, if he commits an act prohibited in subsection a. which results in serious bodily injury to another person.
2C: 40-4
Nothwithstanding any other provision of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to a prosecution under this act.
2C: 40-5
Conduct constituting an offense under this act may, at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney, be prosecuted under any other applicable provision of Title 2C of the New Jersey State Statutes; and
Other behaviors or activities in addition to those prohibited under N.J.S.A. 2C:40 et seq. defined as hazing by a college or university with respect to its students.
College Regulations
The College of New Jersey defines hazing as “any action taken, created, or situated which intentionally or recklessly subjects any person to the risk of bodily harm, mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule; or causing or encouraging any person to commit an act that would be a violation of law or college regulations; for the purpose of initiating, promoting, fostering, or confirming any form of affiliation with a student group or organization.”
Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to:
* forced consumption of alcohol or other drugs;
* required ingestion of any substance;
* dietary restrictions of any kind;
* sleep deprivation;
* creation of excessive fatigue;
* paddling, whipping, beating, or physical abuse of any kind;
* forced tattooing or branding;
* calisthenics or any type of physically abusive exercise; exposure to the elements;
* compulsory servitude;
* work projects without the participation of the full membership;
* scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, road trips, kidnapping, drop-offs, or any other such activities;
* assigned or endorsed pranks such as borrowing or stealing
items, painting property or objects, or harassing other individuals or groups;
* morally degrading or humiliating games or activities;
* verbal harassment including yelling and screaming;
* line-ups, kangaroo courts, or any interrogation not consistent with the legitimate testing for information about the purposes and history of the organization;
* any activity which interferes with one’s ability to study or complete one’s course of study;
* the wearing of apparel in public which is conspicuous or not normally in good taste;
* participation in sexual rituals or assaults;
* mentally abusive or demeaning behavior;
* deceptions and/or threats contrived to convince a new member that he/she will not be permitted to join;
* requiring the use of a side door entrance not normally used to enter a building; requiring the answering of phones or doors with songs, chants, riddles; requiring yelling or screaming upon entering or leaving a facility;
* requiring new members to “greet” initiated members;
* activities that promote or encourage the violation of state law or college policy;
* collective behavior such as marching; requiring members to escort each other on campus; dressing alike, etc.; and
* requiring the carrying of items such as bricks, pumpkins, pledge books, lunch boxes, items for members, etc.
The organization or any individual involved in hazing commits a violation of college policy by:
1. engaging in hazing
2. soliciting, encouraging, aiding, or directing another engaged in hazing
3. intentionally or knowingly permitting hazing to occur
4. having first-hand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred and failing to report said knowledge in writing to the director of campus life.
New Jersey Statutes: 2C: 40-3
A. A person is guilty of hazing, a disorderly person offense, 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.
B. A person is guilty of aggravated hazing, a crime of the fourth degree, if he commits an act prohibited in subsection a. which results in serious bodily injury to another person.
2C: 40-4
Nothwithstanding any other provision of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to a prosecution under this act.
2C: 40-5
Conduct constituting an offense under this act may, at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney, be prosecuted under any other applicable provision of Title 2C of the New Jersey State Statutes; and
Other behaviors or activities in addition to those prohibited under N.J.S.A. 2C:40 et seq. defined as hazing by a college or university with respect to its students.
College Regulations
The College of New Jersey defines hazing as “any action taken, created, or situated which intentionally or recklessly subjects any person to the risk of bodily harm, mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule; or causing or encouraging any person to commit an act that would be a violation of law or college regulations; for the purpose of initiating, promoting, fostering, or confirming any form of affiliation with a student group or organization.”
Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to:
* forced consumption of alcohol or other drugs;
* required ingestion of any substance;
* dietary restrictions of any kind;
* sleep deprivation;
* creation of excessive fatigue;
* paddling, whipping, beating, or physical abuse of any kind;
* forced tattooing or branding;
* calisthenics or any type of physically abusive exercise; exposure to the elements;
* compulsory servitude;
* work projects without the participation of the full membership;
* scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, road trips, kidnapping, drop-offs, or any other such activities;
* assigned or endorsed pranks such as borrowing or stealing
items, painting property or objects, or harassing other individuals or groups;
* morally degrading or humiliating games or activities;
* verbal harassment including yelling and screaming;
* line-ups, kangaroo courts, or any interrogation not consistent with the legitimate testing for information about the purposes and history of the organization;
* any activity which interferes with one’s ability to study or complete one’s course of study;
* the wearing of apparel in public which is conspicuous or not normally in good taste;
* participation in sexual rituals or assaults;
* mentally abusive or demeaning behavior;
* deceptions and/or threats contrived to convince a new member that he/she will not be permitted to join;
* requiring the use of a side door entrance not normally used to enter a building; requiring the answering of phones or doors with songs, chants, riddles; requiring yelling or screaming upon entering or leaving a facility;
* requiring new members to “greet” initiated members;
* activities that promote or encourage the violation of state law or college policy;
* collective behavior such as marching; requiring members to escort each other on campus; dressing alike, etc.; and
* requiring the carrying of items such as bricks, pumpkins, pledge books, lunch boxes, items for members, etc.
The organization or any individual involved in hazing commits a violation of college policy by:
1. engaging in hazing
2. soliciting, encouraging, aiding, or directing another engaged in hazing
3. intentionally or knowingly permitting hazing to occur
4. having first-hand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred and failing to report said knowledge in writing to the director of campus life.