Hazing is taken extremely seriously at UC Davis, and there are university policies and processes in place to address hazing incidents when they occur. Campus policy encourages and empowers anyone who has witnessed hazing, been hazed or suspects that someone they know has been hazed to report this to a university official.
We also acknowledge that it can feel stressful to report for many reasons. The university is here to support you. If you’re uncertain about reporting, you can reach out to the Office of the Ombuds to discuss all of the available options confidentially.
To report an incident, use the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA) Public Incident Report form. If you’re not sure whether it’s appropriate to report, review the information provided on this page.
How to Report Hazing
STUDENTS:
- Why should I report?
Hazing is abusive and victimizes people. It also contributes to stigmatizing certain groups and organizations on campus. In order to break the cycle and address the greater issue, someone has to report it. Your report can help future Aggies avoid having to worry about being hazed. - How can I report hazing?
To report an incident, use the OSSJA Public Incident Report form. - What kind of information should I include in my report?
Indicate who was involved, what happened, and when and where it occurred. Supply as much detail as possible. Provide your name, phone number and email address, along with the contact information of any witnesses. - Will the group I am a part of know that I submitted a report?
Generally, your identity will not be shared with the group that you have submitted a report about. Exceptions to this include situations where a student is reporting sexual violence or sexual harassment due to the nature of those offenses and the investigations they require. - Can I report anonymously or do I need to use my name?
When you report anonymously, it means that your identity will be unknown to everyone, including the investigative team. By not providing contact information, that team will not have the ability to follow up with you, which may make an investigation more difficult. If you’re uncertain of the best way for you to report, you can reach out to the Ombuds to discuss all of the available options confidentially. - What can I expect after I report a hazing suspicion or incident?
As long as you did not report anonymously, OSSJA will contact you with an update on whether an investigation will take place or to gather more information. - How can I get more educated on what hazing is?
This website is an excellent place to start. On the Hazing Defined page, you will find detailed information about what constitutes hazing, as well as campus policy and state law pertaining to hazing. - Is any help available to me?
Yes! Review the resources available to you on the Get Support page.
STAFF AND FACULTY:
All members of the campus community can play a role in helping ensure that hazing has no place at UC Davis. A good first step in equipping yourself to help is learning how to recognize the signs of hazing and how to support students who report a hazing incident to you, or who you suspect may be a hazing victim or perpetrator.
Another important way staff and faculty can help prevent hazing is by becoming advocates for positive team building strategies aimed at developing healthy group dynamics. Familiarize yourself with some of the alternative activities that groups can engage in instead of hazing on the We Can Do Better section of this website, and be prepared to review student group members’ plans with them to help identify potentially problematic activities or traditions and help them explore alternatives.
Staff and faculty may report an incident of hazing to the OSSJA by using the Public Incident Report form.
PARENTS:
If you are a parent of a UC Davis student and are concerned that your child is being hazed, talk to them. Make sure they feel supported and are aware of the resources available at UC Davis. You know your student better than anyone and may be able to notice a change in their behavior before anyone else does.
If you would like to address your concerns with a university official, you may fill out the OSSJA form yourself, reach out to us via email at OSSJA@UCDavis.edu, and encourage your student to reach out to us for support by filling out the OSSJA Public Incident Report form.