Hazing Violations Involving Student Organizations
In accordance with Virginia Code §23.1-822 and the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (Public Law No. 118-173), Christopher Newport University maintains and makes available a Campus Hazing Transparency Report documenting findings of hazing violations involving student organizations over the past five years. This report is updated at least twice annually and at least 10 calendar days before the beginning of each fall and spring semester. It will be made available to the public to promote transparency and accountability in campus life.
University Policy on Hazing Student Handbook
To learn more about campus safety, hazing statistics, and other crime reporting information, please refer to our most recent Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
Any suspected hazing involving a student, student organization, or athletic team must be reported promptly. Reports can be submitted to the Center for Honor Enrichment and Community Standards by completing an incident report or by visiting their office in David Student Union 3127. Additionally, reports may be made to University Police by calling (757) 594-7777.
The university will investigate all reported incidents of hazing and, as required by law, will publish findings involving student organizations in the Campus Hazing Transparency Report.
Training
Potential and new members (PNMs), current members, and advisors of any student organization with an initiation process, new member process, or bigs/littles must complete in person hazing prevention training as required by law. This includes but is not limited to Greek Organizations and Club Sports teams. Anyone interested in joining one of these organizations must complete the PNM Hazing Prevention Training before joining. Incoming freshmen and transfer students complete the training during Welcome Week and Changing Tides. Active members of required organizations must complete the Current Member Hazing Prevention training, and all advisors of required organizations must complete the Advisor Hazing Prevention training. Click the links below to register for training:
- Advisor Training Registration
- Current Member Training Registration
- Potential/New Member Training Registration
Anyone in the community who wishes to learn more about Hazing Prevention can contact the Office of Orientation & Student Involvement at osi@cnu.edu.
Hazing Transparency Report
2024-25 Hazing Report
Date incident occurred: October 22, 2024
Date reported: October 31, 2024
Date investigation initiated and concluded: November 1 – 26, 2024
Description of the incident
New members were degraded by current organization members who initiated activities that provided no legitimate purpose and resulted in new members dropping the organization.
New members were required by current organization members to: requirements to maintain specific hours at the library and gym, to transport current organization members whenever needed, they were required to share their location with organization members, and for those who dropped the organization, they were required to delete messages from their phone.
Charges
- Hazing
Findings of responsibility
- Hazing: Found responsible
Sanctions
- Deferred Suspension to December 15, 2025
- Temporary Ban from recruiting new members until an Anti-Hazing Comprehensive Plan is completed and submitted.
- Anti-Hazing Comprehensive Plan requiring the organization to outline how they will plan to conduct a new member process that is free from hazing and restore faith with the institution that they will engage in appropriate risk-mitigating strategies.
2023-24 Hazing Report
Date incident occurred: January 18, 2023
Date reported: August 16, 2023
Date investigation initiated and concluded: August 17 - September 14, 2023
Description of the incident
New members were degraded by current organization members who initiated activities that provided no legitimate purpose.
Examples of new member behavior required by current members include: meeting at an off-campus location, changing clothes, utilizing "spit bags", kneeling, and consuming "watered-down chili".
New members were subjected to: being sprayed with a green substance, phallic symbols being drawn on their clothes, and eggs thrown at/cracked on them.
Charges
- Hazing
- Abusive conduct
- Disorderly conduct/infringing on the rights of others
- Alcoholic beverage policy
Findings of responsibility
- Hazing: Found responsible
- Abusive conduct: Not responsible
- Disorderly conduct: Found responsible
- Alcoholic beverage policy: Not responsible
Sanctions
- Suspension: September 13, 2023 - May 30, 2025
- Anti-hazing training
- Review of organization programs and traditions
- Risk management plan
2022-23 Hazing Report
Date incident occurred: September 26, 2022
Dates investigation initiated and concluded: September 30 - November 7, 2022
Description of the incident
Expected members get unusual haircuts. Provided alcohol to new and underage members during an off-campus team event.
Charges
- Hazing
- Alcohol policy
- Abusive conduct
Findings of responsibility
- Hazing: Acknowledged responsibility
- Alcoholic beverage policy: Acknowledged responsibility
- Disorderly conduct: Not responsible
- Abusive conduct: Not responsible
Sanctions
- Disciplinary probation: October 13, 2022 - May 5, 2023
- Anti-hazing training
- Required on-going meetings with Director of Club Sports during spring 2023
Date incident occurred: April 4, 2023
Dates investigation initiated and concluded: April 18 - June 23, 2023
Description of the incident
Expected new members to drink alcohol and bodily fluid from boots and run around outside naked.
Charges
- Hazing
- Alcohol policy
- Abusive conduct
Findings of responsibility
- Hazing: Acknowledged responsibility
- Drug policy: Not responsible
- Disorderly conduct: Not responsible
- Abusive conduct: Not responsible
Sanctions
- Suspension: June 30, 2023 - May 6, 2024
- Risk mitigation plan
- On-going training
Date incident occurred: October 7, 2022
Dates investigation initiated and concluded: October 11 - November 7, 2022
Description of the incident
Required new members to clean, consume unknown food substances, and perform errands such as getting food or driving around current members at any time of day or night.
Charges
- Hazing
- Disorderly conduct
Findings of responsibility
- Hazing: Responsible
- Disorderly conduct: Not responsible
Sanctions
- Disciplinary probation: December 6, 2022 - May 6, 2023
- Anti-hazing training
- Review of organization programs and traditions
- Risk management plan
Date incident occurred: February 11, 2023
Dates investigation initiated and concluded: February 27 - March 16, 2023
Description of the incident
Delivered new members, blindfolded, to an undisclosed location and left them.
Charges
- Hazing
- Abusive conduct
- Disorderly conduct
Findings of responsibility
- Hazing: Acknowledged responsibility
- Abusive and disorderly conduct: Not responsible
Sanctions
- Disciplinary probation: March 16, 2023 - May 31, 2024
- Executive council training with national organization
- Organizational risk assessment
- Member education plan
2021-22 Hazing Report
- No reports