It is the purpose of The College of New Jersey to provide a campus environment that encourages academic accomplishment, personal growth, and a spirit of understanding and cooperation. An important part of maintaining such an environment is the commitment to protect the health and safety of every member of the campus community.
The College of New Jersey Hazing Policy
Hazing in any form is prohibited at The College of New Jersey. TCNJ is committed to providing a safe learning environment that supports the dignity of all College community members. Hazing is a violation of state law and is strictly prohibited by TCNJ both on and off campus. Violation of this policy may result in both disciplinary action and criminal charges.
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) maintains two conduct codes to govern student and student organization/group behavior. The Student Conduct Code is for individuals and the Recognized Student Organization Privileges & Responsibilities is for recognized student organizations.
Hazing is defined as:
i. Any action taken, or situation created that negligently, intentionally, or recklessly subjects any person to the risk of bodily harm, physical discomfort, harassment, emotional or mental degradation, abuse, or interferes with academic activities; or causes or encourages any person to commit an act that would be a violation of law or College regulations for the purpose of initiating, promoting, fostering, or confirming any form of affiliation with a student group or organization. This provision applies to all students regardless of College or Student Government recognition of the student group or organization.
ii. Observation of any hazing activity as described above by a student without reporting the incident to College authorities.
iii. Aiding or assisting another to engage in any hazing activity as described above.
iv. The expressed or implied consent of a person is not a defense to any hazing activity described above.
State and Federal Hazing Laws
Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA)
Enacted on December 23, 2024, the Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646) classifies hazing as a criminal offense and requires colleges to publicly report incidents while strengthening hazing prevention education. Its goal is to protect students from dangerous initiation practices and hold organizations accountable. Under federal law, those found guilty face strict penalties, including fines, legal action, and possible jail time.
Timothy J. Piazza’s Law
Enacted on August 24, 2021, Timothy J. Piazza’s Law strengthens penalties for hazing in New Jersey. It expands the state’s criminal definition of hazing and designates certain activities as third- or fourth-degree crimes. Individuals and organizations found guilty can face significant penalties, including campus sanctions, criminal prosecution, fines, and possible jail time.
Pledge’s Bill of Rights
Established under New Jersey law, the Pledge’s Bill of Rights outlines acceptable and unacceptable activities for pledging, rushing, or new member programs in fraternities, sororities, and similar campus organizations. Developed by the New Jersey Attorney General, it incorporates best practices from existing institutional policies and is distributed to all colleges and universities in the state to help protect students and prevent hazing.
Campus Hazing Transparency Report/Timothy Piazza Hazing Report
Campus Hazing Transparency Report (Updated 7/3/25)
The Campus Hazing Transparency Report includes incidents for which a formal finding of one or more hazing-related policy violation(s) were determined. Policy charges and violations are based on the applicable code (individuals and student organizations/groups).
The Campus Hazing Transparency Report is not exhaustive of all documented reports and/or investigations by The College. The report does not contain incidents where an individual/organization received one or more hazing-related charges, but were not found In-Violation. The report also does not include incidents if an individual/organization had multiple charges, including at least one hazing-related, but were found In-Violation for policies that are not hazing-related. For applicable incidents, the report contains the following information:
- Name of the organization
- Incident Date (this is when the incident was reported to occur, not when the incident was
- reported to The College)
- Description of the allegation
- Findings/In-Violation Policy(ies)
- Investigation Start Date
- Investigation End Date
- Finding Date
- Sanction(s)
The report contains records from the past seven academic years. The bill requires IHEs to update the Campus Hazing Transparency Report at least twice a year (not less frequently than on January 15 and July 15 of each year). The report is updated and maintained by the Office of Student Conduct & Off-Campus Services. For more information about the report, email conduct@tcnj.edu.
Report Hazing
All members of the College community are encouraged to report suspected instances of hazing. Hazing reports can be submitted online through TCNJ’s Public Reporting Form. You can also report to one of the following offices:
| Office of Student Life | Brower Student Center 209 | studentlife@tcnj.edu | 609-771-2466 |
| Dean of Students Office | Brower Student Center 220 | conduct@tcnj.edu | 609-771-2780 |
| Campus Police | Administrative Services Building | tcnjpd@tcnj.edu | 609-771-2345 |
| Athletics | Student Recreation Center | https://tcnjathletics.com/staff-directory | 609-771-2223 |
Hazing Prevention Programming
The College of New Jersey requires all incoming students to complete mandatory hazing prevention training at the start of the academic year to foster awareness and uphold campus safety. Additional programming is offered on an as-needed or elective basis for specific groups or upon request.
Mandatory Training for New Students (Beginning Fall 2025)
All incoming students must complete a hazing prevention training module as part of their orientation or during the start of each academic year. The educational initiative will launch as follows:
- In Fall 2025, all students (returning and new) will be required to complete Hazing Prevention training hosted through Plaid. More information will be provided to students early in the Fall 2025 semester.
- Beginning in Summer 2026, all incoming students will be required to complete Hazing Prevention training hosted through Plaid prior to the start of the academic year.
Fraternities & Sororities (Office of Student Life)
- New members of fraternities and sororities are required to attend a hazing prevention presentation and complete Plaid Tightrope modules when joining their organization.
- Chapter presidents and new member education teams attend hazing prevention presentations before recruitment/intake activities at the start each semester.
Sport Clubs (Office of Student Life)
- Hazing prevention training is provided to team leadership at start of each academic year.
Recognized Student Organizations (Office of Student Life)
- Hazing prevention information is included in the RSO Online Resource Course. All organization presidents are required to complete the course annually, and all organization leaders have access to it.
- Student Organization Summit 2025 has training sessions on hazing prevention and the Stop Campus Hazing Act.
Athletics
- Hazing prevention is reviewed annually with every student athlete.
- Hazing is incorporated in Athletics annual compliance reporting.
Campus Police
- Offers Situational Awareness trainings upon request.
How to Identify Hazing
How do you know if you are hazing or being hazed? Answer the following questions to find out:
- Would you feel comfortable enough to show or perform the activity in front of key members of the administration, your coach, or your advisor?
- Would you show pictures of the event to your loved ones? Unedited?
- Would you print it in College recruitment publications as a selling point?
If you answered any of these questions with a “no” you are most likely involved in hazing.
Hazing encompasses any action or activity that does not contribute to the positive development of a person; that inflicts or intends to cause mental or bodily harm or anxieties, or that may demean or disgrace any person. It is not necessary to participate directly in a hazing activity to hold some level of accountability and/or liability. Knowledge of such activity can indicate a level of responsibility. Also a person’s willingness to be hazed does not excuse the activity from being considered hazing, from charges being filed or possible sanctions from being imposed. More information that may help you identify hazing can be found on our Hazing Resources page.