Campus Services

Hazing includes any act, on or off-campus, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, that:

• Endangers the health or safety of a student
• Causes humiliation or mental distress
• Coerces participation in illegal or degrading activities
• Is intended for initiation, admission, affiliation, or continued membership in any group or organization

This is the conduct that is prohibited by this policy

Under Illinois law, hazing is defined as: “Knowingly requiring the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution, if the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution, and the act results in bodily harm to any person.”

Intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that—

1. is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
2. causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including—
   1. whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
   2. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
   3. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
   4. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
   5. any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
   6. any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
   7. 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.

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• Physical or psychological shocks;
• Sleep or food deprivation;
• Expected consumption of food, water, alcohol, or drugs;
• Kidnapping or abandonment;
• Line-ups or berating;
• Morally degrading behavior;
• Any form of personal servitude;
• Expected wearing, publicly or privately, of apparel and/or objects which are not appropriate for the occasion;
• Interference with academic pursuits; or
• Expected participation in activities that are illegal, or violate North Park University policy.

Reporting Hazing

Students and employees are encouraged to report hazing concerns to:

• Campus Safety: 773-244-5600

• Office of the Dean of Students: 773-244-5737

• Confidential Online Report Form

Illinois law requires any individual who has firsthand knowledge of a hazing incident resulting in bodily harm to report it to law enforcement.

Amnesty for Reporting

In accordance with Illinois law and North Park policy, students who report hazing in good faith will not be subject to disciplinary sanctions for other conduct violations (e.g., alcohol use) at the time of the incident, provided they did not participate in the hazing behavior. (Link to Medical Amnesty/Good Samaritan Policy)

Investigating Hazing

An investigation process related to the reported hazing will be completed by the appropriate North Park University office(s) in accordance with their applicable procedures. Based upon the involved parties and the nature of the allegations, these offices may include, but are not limited to, Student Engagement, Athletics, Campus Safety, Human Resources.

The Student Conduct process as described in the Traditional Undergraduate Student Handbook will be used to adjudicate the incident.  If an employee is involved in the incident, the Senior Director of Human Resources will manage concerns involving an employee.

Education and Prevention

North Park University has implemented United Educator’s twenty-minute Recognize and Prevent Hazing training module.  As part of the NPU onboarding experience, new students receive this training through the Student Success Toolkit via Canvas.

In addition, North Park University requires annual hazing prevention training for:

• All registered student organization leaders and members
• All student athletes and coaches
• Club student-athletes and coaches
• Faculty or staff serving as organization advisors
• Residence Life and Housing student leaders and professional staff

This training provides essential information and practical tools to help participants:

• Identify behaviors that may constitute hazing
• Understand how and where to report concerns
• Foster safe, respectful, and inclusive group experiences
• Be aware of the legal and institutional consequences of hazing

Hazing Alternatives

Some student organizations mistakenly believe that hazing helps build group cohesion or achieve important goals with new members. However, when groups identify alternative activities that fulfill the same intended purpose in healthier, more inclusive ways, even those who once saw value in hazing may become more open to change.

Outlined below are common goals often associated with hazing, along with positive, non-hazing alternatives to achieve those same objectives. These goals are adapted from StopHazing.org, and the alternative activities were developed with the North Park student in mind.

Goal: Foster group bonding, unity, or cohesion

• Collaborate on a service project as a team
• Plan and host a social or philanthropic event
• Participate in a team-building challenge, such as a ropes course or escape room

Goal: Cultivate appreciation for group membership and history

• Host a meaningful ceremony where older members reflect on their experiences
• Invite alumni to connect and share stories with new members

Goal: Honor a tradition or rite of passage

• Emphasize inclusive, positive traditions within the group
• Involve older members in open discussions about creating healthier and more meaningful traditions, especially those who experienced hazing in the past

Goal: Encourage discipline and a sense of accomplishment

• Collaborate on a creative project, such as making a group mural, video, or digital scrapbook that represents your organization’s values or history.
• Schedule weekly “quiet hours” for group members to study together in a designated location.
• Host monthly academic workshops on topics like time management, test-taking strategies, or effective study techniques.

• More than half (55%) of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing.
• Nearly half (47%) of students have experienced hazing prior to coming to college.
• Alcohol consumption, humiliation, isolation, sleep-deprivation, and sex acts are hazing practices common across student groups.

Resource: National Study of Student Hazing

Transparency Report

In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and the University’s Anti-Hazing Policy, the Transparency Report provides information about hazing violations by any established or recognized student organization. This report will be updated two times per year, and will include:

• A description of what happened, including if alcohol or drugs were used in an illegal or harmful way.
• What the university found during its investigation.
• Any sanctions the student group received from the university.
• The date when the hazing was said to have happened.
• The date when the university started investigating the incident.
• The date when the university finished the investigation and decided that hazing did occur.
• The date when the university told the student group that they were found responsible for hazing.

2024-2025 Academic Year

There were no findings of hazing behavior during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Annual Security Reports (Clery Act)

Campus safety is an important consideration for any community. To enhance campus safety, North Park University’s Campus Safety, as required by the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, provides an annual report to current and prospective students and employees. The information in this report can help empower members of the campus community. Students and employees can take advantage of campus resources and can make well-based decisions that impact individual as well as community safety.

Link to: Campus Safety and Security Report