Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. For more information, please see the link to California State University's Anti-Hazing Policy.
If you suspect or have experienced hazing at Chico State, it's essential to report it. Here’s a list of departments and resources that can assist you in reporting hazing:
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR)
1. Myth: Hazing is Just a Tradition and Everyone Expects It
Scenario: A freshman athlete joins a college soccer team, believing that participating in hazing rituals is a rite of passage. He thinks everyone goes through it and believes that enduring embarrassing challenges will earn him respect. However, many of his teammates actually dislike hazing and want to end the cycle, feeling it harms team unity.
2. Myth: Hazing Builds Stronger Bonds Among Members
Scenario: In a sorority, upperclassmen tell new initiates that the hazing rituals they will go through will create lifelong friendships. The initiates struggle to fit in, facing humiliation during events, which actually discourages them rather than fostering connections. In reality, the strongest bonds develop through mutual respect and support, not through shared distress.
3. Myth: Hazing is Harmless Fun
Scenario: During band camp, some upperclassmen think it’s all in good fun to make freshmen sing embarrassing songs in public. They disregard the discomfort it causes those freshmen, believing it promotes cohesion. However, those who are targeted often feel excluded and humiliated, and many choose not to continue with the band due to the negative experience.
4. Myth: Only New Members Are Hazed
Scenario:At a fraternity, it’s believed that only pledges are subjected to hazing rituals. However, during a party, older members are pressured to reinitiate old traditions, leading to new members witnessing seniors being humiliated as well. This creates a toxic atmosphere where hazing is seen as a continued cycle, causing distrust within the fraternity.
5. Myth: Hazing is Accepted by All Organizations
Scenario: A student eager to join the university’s crew team believes that hazing is a standard practice across all athletic teams. She assumes that being able to endure intimidation and initiation rites is necessary to prove her dedication. However, she later discovers that many institutions have strict anti-hazing policies, and the crew team prioritizes inclusivity and support instead of harmful traditions.
Chico State's Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act-defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person at the University Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555. It is also available on the web at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report(opens in new window)(opens in new window).
At Chico State, we believe every Wildcat has the power to prevent harm. Bystander Intervention means recognizing a potentially dangerous situation—like hazing, alcohol poisoning, or harassment—and choosing to act in a way that could positively influence the outcome.
How You Can Intervene
You are never alone. Your actions can protect someone's life-and you will be supported for doing the right thing.
The AB524 Transparency Act Reports serves as a vital resource in our ongoing efforts to combat hazing and promote a culture of respect and accountability within our campus community. This report provides essential insights into the practices, policies, and statistics related to hazing incidents within recognized and unrecognized student organizations.
Student health, safety, and well-being are top priorities for Chico State. This "Good Samaritan Protocol (PDF) (PDF)" represents the University's commitment to addressing all students' well-being by reducing intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual assault, incidents of hazing, and the overconsumption and/or misuse of alcohol and/or controlled substances.
