Resources & Reporting
Fraternity & Sorority Life engages in accountability measures to ensure that fraternities and sororities, and their members, are upholding campus and council policies.
If there is an immediate risk to health or safety, please call 911 or University Police at 562-985-4101. For after-hours or urgent support resources, please contact the YWCA-GLA 24-hour crisis hotline at 877.Y.HELPS.U / 877.943.5778
The Campus Assessment, Response and Evaluation for Students Team (CARES) identifies, discusses, investigates, evaluates and monitors student behavior which poses a concern, potential threat or actual threat to self or others. The purpose of CARES Team is to provide a centralized structure for the campus community for early intervention of at-risk students through collaboration with campus departments, faculty and staff. Students exhibiting behaviors that are of concern in relation to their personal, physical and emotional well-being should be referred to the CARES Team along with students who are intimidating, disruptive, aggressive, or violent. The CARES Team will review all information available on the student’s behavior and background to determine an action plan and monitor the student on a case-by-case basis. The team meets regularly and on an ad hoc basis.
Title IX Resources
Site to report an incident
Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development
The Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development investigates campus-related complaints and charges against students involving violations of campus regulations. Student Conduct and Ethical Development also assists students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members in locating, interpreting and applying campus policies and regulations and laws applicable to students.
Concerning Member
I'm concerned about a member or friend in crisis: Check the RED FOLDER for resources and next steps.
Hazing
Hazing or conspiracy to haze (Hazing is defined as any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current or prospective student of any school, community college, college, or University or other educational institution in this state (California Penal Code, Section 245.6). In addition, it includes any act likely to cause physical harm, personal degradation, or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any former, current, or prospective students of any school, community college, college, University or other educational institution. The term “hazing” does not include customary athletic events or school-sanctioned events. Neither the expressed or implied consent of a victim of hazing nor the lack of active participation in a particular hazing incident is a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not a neutral act and is also a violation of this section.)
California Penal Code on Hazing
1. California Penal Code Reads
245.6. (a) It shall be unlawful to engage in hazing, as defined in this section.
Hazing Defined:
California State University (CSU) is committed to maintaining an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity, mutual respect, and fosters healthier and safer environments for living and learning. Hazing is contrary to our institution's values and will not be tolerated.
The CSU Student Code of Conduct, found at Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 41301 (b)(8) and California Penal Code section 245.6 defines “hazing” as “any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause physical harm, personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm, to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university or other educational institution” as well as “any act likely to cause physical harm, personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm, to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university or other educational institution. “Hazing” does not include customary and ordinary athletic events or school sanctioned events.”
Any method or act of initiation or preinitiation into (or the maintenance of status within) a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by the CSU, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury or mental harm to any former, current, or prospective student of the CSU is prohibited and constitutes a violation of this policy. Hazing includes not just conduct or actions likely to cause physical harm or pose a risk to the health and safety of an individual(s) but also conduct likely to cause personal degradation that could result in physical or mental harm. Hazing includes any action taken or situation created, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.
Section 41301(b)(8) makes clear that “neither the express or implied consent of a victim of hazing, nor the lack of active participation in a particular hazing incident is a defense. The express or implied consent of a victim of hazing does not excuse or constitute a defense. Hazing violates this policy regardless of a person’s consent or willingness to participate and even if the person voluntarily submits to being hazed.
Section 41301(b)(8) also makes clear that apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not a neutral act and is also a violation of this section.” Passive participation in hazing (such as attending a hazing incident or being a spectator) violates this policy. The tacit or explicit endorsement, approval or validation of hazing violates this policy. In addition, an individual who is in a position to be able to take reasonable action to stop or prevent hazing but fails to do so violates this policy.
Participation in hazing, actively or passively, will result in both individual student and student organizational disciplinary action, including possible expulsion from the California State University system and a permanent loss of recognition for the student organization. Disciplinary action will also be initiated against organizational officers who permit hazing to occur. Organizational officers are expected and required to be aware of any potential hazing and to prevent any such conduct from occurring.
Student organizations and their organizational officers are responsible for controlling the actions of their alumni, inactive members, and any other individuals participating in their member activities.
All student organization officers will be required to complete an online hazing prevention training annually.
Matt's Law:
SEC. 5. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Matt's Law" in memory of Matthew William Carrington, who died on February 2, 2005, as a result of hazing.
SEC. 6. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.
Hazing Information
What is Hazing?
Hazing is defined by the Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group (FIPG).
No chapter, colony, student or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing activities. Hazing activities are defined as "Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state law."
If you have to ask if it is hazing, it is. If in doubt, call your advisor or national office.
To whom does hazing apply?
Our greatest contact and familiarity with hazing comes from the active-pledge or new member relationship. If hazing is occurring, usually an active member is harassing a pledge or new member. Hazing, however, is not limited to activities harassing pledges. It is also possible for a pledge/new member to haze an active; an active to haze another active; or a pledge/new member to haze another pledge/new member even if one is willingly requesting this harassment.
What kinds of hazing are there?
The following are examples of hazing by category. It is impossible to list all hazing activities, so this list is not intended to be all inclusive.
A. Psychological Hazing
Psychological hazing is any action that is against accepted sorority and fraternity standards of conduct, behavior and good taste that is mental in nature and which ridicules, humiliates or embarrasses, or which confuses, frustrates or causes undue stress.
Examples:
- Never doing anything with the pledge(s)
- Calling people "pledgie" or "maggot" or any other demeaning name
- Silence periods
- Any forms of demerits
- Requiring to call members Mr. or Miss
- Scavenger hunts or road trips
- Phone or house duty if only assigned to pledges
- Requiring pledges to carry items around at all times
- Scaring or misleading pledges about initiation activities
- Deprivation of privileges
- Line ups or hot seats
- Verbal harassments
- Lack of study or sleep time
- Assigned pranking activities
- Signature books
B. Physical Hazing
Physical hazing is anything that causes mental anguish or physical discomfort to the person.
Examples:
- Requiring pledges or members to wear ridiculous costumes or clothing
- Nudity of any sort
- Requiring pledges or members to enter through the back door or separate entrance
- Requiring a person to perform personal service such as carrying books or running errands
- Paddling
- Cold rooms or exposure to cold and heat
- Beating sessions
- Pushing and shoving
- Exercises and calisthenics
- Forced eating and drinking
- Bright lights
