Federal Definition (Stop Campus Hazing Act):
- “The term 'hazing', .....means any 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--(I) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and (II) 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....”
California Definition (AB 2193):
- “Hazing means a method of initiation or preinitiation into a student organization or student body that is likely to cause serious bodily injury to a former, current, or prospective pupil of a school. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or school-sanctioned events.”
UC Merced Hazing Policy Definition (from PACAOS)
The hazing definition in PACAOS 102.12 was updated June 23, 2025 and adopted by UC Merced.
- Participation in hazing or any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, activity, or method committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons, including current, former, or prospective students, regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that is committed in the course of a preinitiation, an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, an official or unofficial student organization or other student group that
- (i) 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 personal degradation or disgrace, and/or
- (ii) the person knew or should have known was likely to cause serious bodily injury.
