Hazing is no longer viewed as an innocent rite of passage. Cornell University views hazing as a serious public health problem that causes physical and mental harm to individual students and groups, teams, and organizations at Cornell and nationwide. 

This site is a resource for students, staff, faculty, alumni, parents and families and others interested in learning about hazing within student groups, teams, and organizations, including:

• what can be done to prevent hazing
• how to report incidents of hazing to the University, 
• an opportunity to view hazing violations that have occurred within groups, teams, and organizations at Cornell and the sanctions that have been levied. 

Hazing takes various forms, but typically involves physical risks or mental distress through humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning treatment. Hazing is a violation of Cornell University policy and New York State law. This website provides the Cornell University and New York State definitions of hazing.

Hazing has occurred in Cornell fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, performance groups, and other organizations. That said, most students object to hazing: Overall, 91% of Cornell students believe "it's never okay to humiliate or intimidate new members." This website also provides resources for groups, teams, and organizations to review their current new member orientation processes and describes activities that can be used to achieve commitment and group solidarity through non-hazing means (pdf).