Hazing Awareness, Education and Prevention
Questions? Contact Us.
Office of Campus Safety
Student Center, Room 109
Call 701-483-2407
On-duty Phone 701-290-1068
As part of its commitment in providing a safe and healthy campus environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, Dickinson State University prohibits all forms of hazing.
This website is offered in an effort to create awareness and bring hazing into the open so that it can be addressed. Realizing that unhealthy hazing traditions do not disappear easily, Dickinson State University is committed to providing education that will change cultures that support hazing and supporting students who have concerns.
What is Hazing?
Hazing, as defined in the Stop Campus Hazing Act is 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 is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and 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 whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity; causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity; causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances; causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct; any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and 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.”.
Student organization as defined in the Stop Campus Hazing Act is an organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.
State Law
NDCC Section 12.1-17-10 - Hazing - Penalty
A person is guilty of an offense when, in the course of another person's initiation into or affiliation with any organization, the person willfully engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of physical injury to that other person or a third person. As used in this section, "conduct" means any treatment or forced physical activity that is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of that other person or a third person, or which subjects that other person or third person to extreme mental stress, and may include extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, overexposure to the weather, and forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug, or other substance. The offense is a class A misdemeanor if the actor's conduct causes physical injury, otherwise the offense is a class B misdemeanor.
DSU Hazing Guidelines
Building Healthy Organizations, Teams, and Clubs
Some students who haze think that hazing results in positive outcomes for the group, the individuals who are hazed, and the people who do the hazing. In truth, there is no upside to hazing and hazing can have physical, emotional, and/or mental long-term health consequences, including death. To foster a positive and inclusive environment within your organization, team, or club replace hazing with activities that promote unity, learning, and community engagement. Below are examples of ways to eliminate hazing and make membership a challenging, yet positive experience.
Alternatives to Hazing
- Foster Unity
-
- Have the members of your group/organization work together on a community service project.
- Visit a ropes course to work on group cohesiveness, communication and leadership skills.
- Work together with another group to plan a social or athletic event.
- Develop Problem-Solving Abilities
-
- Have new members discuss weaknesses/challenges that the group has, such as poor recruitment, apathy, and poor scholarship, and develop solutions to solve those problems with current group members.
- Develop Leadership Skills
-
- Encourage participation in school/campus activities outside of the organization.
- Encourage new members to get involved in organizational committees and/or leadership roles.
- Develop a peer mentor program within your group for leadership roles.
- Invite school/community/business leaders into the organization to share their experiences.
- Instill a Sense of Membership
-
- Plan special events or get-togethers for all members to attend a movie, play, or church service.
- Plan a “membership circle” when actives and new members participate in a candlelight service in which each person has a chance to express what membership means to them.
- Promote Scholarship
-
- Take advantage of your school/college/university academic and tutoring services.
- Designate study hours for members of your organization.
- Invite college/university or community experts to discuss test-taking skills, study methods, time management etc.
- Build Awareness of History
-
- Invite an older member to talk about the organization’s early days, its founding, special traditions, and prominent former members.
- Aid Career Goals
-
- Use college resources for seminars on resume writing, job interview skills; various careers.
Source: StopHazing.org
Resources
Dickinson State Resources
National Resources
National Hazing Hotline
(888) 668 – 4293 or (888) NOT-HAZE
You can call this number to anonymously report suspected or recent hazing.
Recommended Websites
Inside Hazing: Understanding Hazardous Hazing
Provides practical information on all aspects of hazing as well as the theoretical perspective of Susan Lipkins, PhD, author of “Preventing Hazing: How Parents, Teachers, and Coaches Can Stop the Violence, Harassment, and Humiliation.”
Unofficial Clearinghouse to Track Hazing Deaths and Incidents
The Hazing Deaths Unofficial Clearinghouse page tracks all hazing deaths and investigates suspected deaths to work toward solutions-based answers to eradicate behaviors associated with tragedies. This site tracks ongoing legislation and scholarly insights into hazing prevention that is intended to have a positive impact on a longstanding social problem in education.
Hazing Prevention Network, formerly known as HazingPrevention.Org, is a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering people to prevent hazing. Our goal is to educate people about the dangers of hazing, advocate for change, and engage the community in strategies to prevent hazing.
StopHazing’s mission is to promote safe and inclusive school, campus, and organizational environments through research, resource sharing, and the development of data-driven strategies for hazing prevention and the promotion of positive and inclusive group climates.
Video Resources
Recognizing & Reporting Hazing
Dickinson State University is a community that cares. Part of that care means being an active bystander and working together to report acts of hazing. Below are options for reporting hazing. Every hazing allegation reported is investigated by University officials and appropriate law enforcement if applicable.
If an individual and/or organization is in immediate danger or is in immediate need of assistance, please use any of the following numbers:
|
Emergency - On or Off Campus |
911 |
|
Dickinson Police Department |
701-456-7759 |
|
DSU Campus Safety |
701-290-1068 |
Office of the Dean of Students 701-502-4359. Dean of Students or designee will initiate an investigation into all reports of hazing involving students, and student organizations.
Office of Human Resources 701-502-4304. The Office of Human Resources will initiate an investigation into all reports of hazing involving employees
See Something Say Something
Did you SEE something that’s just not right on campus or at a university event? Then SAY something to the local authorities to make it right.
Campus Safety is everyone’s responsibility. The Dickinson State University community is encouraged to participate in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's "See Something, Say Something" program (https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something). If you see something that doesn't seem quite right, say something.
Bystander Intervention
Bystander intervention is a prevention strategy that encourages witnesses to take safe action when they see a situation that might lead to sexual violence or abuse. DSU’s Bystander Intervention Program provides education and awareness training designed to encourage intervention.