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.
If you’re not sure whether it’s appropriate to report, review the information provided on this page.
When Reporting an Incident
- Indicate who was involved, what happened and when and where hazing occurred.
- Supply as much detail as possible.
- Provide your name, phone number and e-mail address.
- Provide the contact information of any witnesses.
- You may file an anonymous report. However, please note, that anonymous reports may limit the University’s ability to take informed steps to stop reported conduct and prevent it from recurring.
Unsure if you or someone you know experienced hazing? Learn more about hazing on the Hazing Defined page.
How to Report Hazing
Hazing by Students:
Individuals should report concerns of hazing by students or student organizations to Student Conduct and Integrity by using the online reporting form. This form can be submitted by students, UC Davis staff or faculty, parents or concerned community members.
Hazing by Non-Students:
Individuals should report concerns of hazing by UC Davis staff, faculty, or other employees; unpaid interns; and third parties to their manager, to any supervisor, or to Employee and Labor Relations (ELR). The ELR online incident reporting form can be accessed on the Abusive Conduct in the Workplace website. Scroll down the webpage to the “Reporting Abusive Conduct or Retaliation” section.
University Response
The University has several different processes for investigating and resolving allegations of hazing. The process used depends upon whether the allegations are made against a student organization (e.g., a specific fraternity or sports team) or a specific individual or individuals (e.g., the President of a student organization; the trainer or coach for an Athletics team).
Hazing allegations against student organizations are typically resolved and investigated by Student Conduct and Integrity. Under certain circumstances, additional University or external offices may also be involved. The procedures for resolving and investigating allegations of hazing, including potential sanctions, against student organizations can be found in the Interim UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline.
Hazing allegations against individuals are investigated and resolved based on the relationship of the Respondent(s) to the University (i.e., student, staff or faculty). The section below summarizes which office is primarily responsible for the investigation and resolution as well as the governing policy that contains a summary of the investigation and resolution process.
Respondent Affiliation, Responsible Office and Governing Policy
- Staff
Responsible Office: Employee and Labor Relations
Governing Policy: UC Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
- Faculty and Academic Appointees
Responsible Office: Academic Affairs
Governing Policy: UC Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students and Professional School Students from the Betty Irene School of Nursing, School of Law, Graduate School of Management and School of Education (not acting in the course of employment)
Responsible Office: Student Conduct and Integrity
Governing Policy: Interim UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline
- Professional School Students from the School of Veterinary Medicine or School of Medicine (not acting in the course of employment)
Responsible Office: School of Veterinary Medicine or School of Medicine
Governing Policies:
- Interim UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline
- School of Veterinary Medicine Policy for Student Academic and Social Misconduct
- Graduate and Professional Students (acting in the course of employment)
Responsible Office: Office of Graduate Studies
Governing Policy: UC Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Potential Sanctions
- Potential sanctions assigned to student organizations found to have engaged in hazing include:
- • Formal Warning
• Disciplinary Probation
• Social Restriction
• Loss of privileges and exclusion from activities
• Restitution
• Class/workshop attendance
• Other disciplinary sanctions, such as new member education, risk management plans, officer transition, check in meetings, reservation restrictions or requirements
• Revocation of Registration - Potential sanctions assigned to individual students, including graduate and professional students, found to have engaged in hazing include:
- • Alternative Resolution
• Advisory Notice
• Educational conversation
• Warning
• Disciplinary Probation, with or without conditions
• Loss of Privileges/Exclusion from Activities
• Restitution
• Suspension
• Dismissal
• Exclusion from areas of campus or university functions
• Restrictions of University employment and return of University identification and property
• Revocation of awarding of degree
• Monetary fines
• Community service
• Holds on requests for transcripts, diplomas, or other student records
• Assignment of costs, labor, duties, educational projects or other responsibilities that are appropriate to the violation or relevant to the student’s role on campus or living area
• Deferred separation
• Housing probation
• Supplemental education - In addition to the list directly above, students enrolled in the School of Medicine may also be assigned any or all of the following further actions:
- • Work with the School of Medicine Honor and Professionalism Council or external resources to promote self-awareness and professional growth.
• Reporting of the incident to the Vice/Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education for inclusion in the involved student’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation.
• Referral to the Committee on Student Promotions for the development of a remediation plan.
• A grade of "Incomplete" or "Y", if the conduct occurs in the context of an academic course. - Potential sanctions assigned to staff members, including graduate students acting in the course of employment, found to have engaged in hazing include:
- • Written reprimand in personnel file
• Reduction in salary
• Temporary or permanent demotion
• Unpaid suspension
• Denial or curtailment of emeritus status
• Dismissal from the employ of the University
• Mandated education
• Change in work location
• Restrictions from all or portions of campus
• Restrictions to scope of work - Potential sanctions against Faculty and other academic appointees found to have engaged in hazing include:
- • Written warning
• Written censure
• Suspension without pay
• Reduction in salary
• Demotion
• Dismissal from employment
• Denial of emeritus status