Hazing Reporting
How to Report Hazing
I. Hazing Reporting Procedures
The health and safety of all members of the campus community are the University’s primary concern. Hazing is considered a fundamental violation of human dignity. If you believe hazing has occurred or is ongoing, you are strongly encouraged to seek assistance from one or more of the following resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
University Police (Department of Public Safety) - Emergency: (301) 405-3333 / Mobile Phone: #3333 / Non-Emergency: (301) 405-3555
Local Police in ANY location – Emergency: 911
Report the incident via this online form here or from Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm to the Office of Student Conduct at (301) 314-8204. The online form offers an option for anonymous reporting.
A. Anonymous/Confidential Reporting
The following campus agencies will keep information as private and confidential as allowed by law (contact information for normal business hours):
Counseling Center (Shoemaker Building) / Telephone: (301) 314-7651
Mental Health Service (Health Center) / Telephone: (301) 314-810
The online form in Part I. also offers an anonymous reporting option. The form includes information about next steps and other important information.
B. Formal Reporting
Notice to the campus agencies listed below is official notice to the University. Victims have the right and can expect that all reports of hazing will be taken seriously and investigated when formally reported.
University Police (Department of Public Safety Service Building) Emergency (301) 405-3333 | Mobile Phone #3333 Non-Emergency (301) 405-3555
Local police in any location: 911
Office of Student Conduct (Clarence Mitchell Building) Telephone: (301) 314-8204 or this online form.
The University encourages all alleged acts of hazing be reported promptly to University Officials and/or law enforcement agencies. The criminal process and the University disciplinary process are separate and independent processes. Reporting to the University does not preclude a victim from filing a report with the police. The University does not normally wait for the conclusion of criminal investigations or proceedings to conduct its own investigation and may take interim measures to protect the complainant and University community.
C. Criminal Reporting
The University’s Department of Public Safety is a full-service police agency serving the students, faculty, staff, and visitors within its jurisdiction. The safety and well-being of hazing victims is a primary concern of the University. Student, faculty, staff, parents, etc. are encouraged to report any hazing allegations to the University Police as soon as is reasonably possible. Upon receipt of a report, University Police will normally conduct a criminal investigation. University Police officials can also assist hazing victims in notifying other law enforcement authorities, as appropriate.
D. Student Disciplinary Reporting
All reports of hazing will be reviewed in accordance with the procedures outlined in this policy. Any person may file a complaint of hazing against a University student, defined as a person who is taking or auditing courses at the institution either on a full- or part-time basis. Alumni are not precluded from being charged if the victim is a student and the incident occurred while the alum was enrolled as a student.
There is no time limit to filing a formal complaint; however, persons are encouraged to promptly report alleged acts of hazing in order to maximize the University’s ability to investigate and respond. The University strives to resolve all complaints within 60 calendar days of the filing of a formal complaint. The resolution time may vary depending on the complexity of the investigation and severity and extent of the alleged misconduct.
Retaliation: Retaliation against any person filing a complaint or against any person cooperating in the investigation of such complaint is strictly prohibited. Retaliation includes but is not limited to direct or indirect intimidation, threats, and/or harassment for or against any party involved in the investigation. Students found to be responsible for retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct. Retaliatory conduct may also constitute a criminal offense.
In cases of alleged acts of hazing, the University usually does not pursue disciplinary action against a victim unless the individual is perceived as a willing participant or provides false information to a University official. Other charges may apply depending on the unique circumstances of the case.
Interim Measures: All formal reports of alleged hazing, regardless of whether the complainant chooses to pursue resolution through the student conduct process, will be investigated and steps will be taken to provide support to the complainant. This support may include taking appropriate interim action prior to the completion of the investigation and conclusion of the student conduct process.
Interim measures may include a “no contact” directive serving as notice to the organization or its members that they must not have verbal, electronic, written or third party communication with one another or with the student(s) seeking membership. Interim measures may also include alteration of students’ academic, University housing, and/or University employment arrangements and a cease and desist of all organizational activities of the group being investigated. Failure to comply with interim measures may result in a student being charged with additional disciplinary violations.
II. University Disciplinary Procedures
The Office of Student Conduct is responsible for adjudicating the Hazing Policy. If the accused is a student, a group of students, or a student organization, any person may file a complaint with the Office of Student Conduct.
University student disciplinary procedures and procedural protections are set forth in the Code of Student Conduct and published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Both complainants and respondents are given a number of important rights, including the right to pose questions to the other party, the right to be advised by their own attorney or advisor, the right to address the board, the right to question witnesses, the right to be informed of the outcome of the case, and the ability to appeal decisions made by hearing boards. The burden of proof is on the complainant, who must establish the responsibility of the respondent by clear and convincing evidence.
Acts of hazing may result in individual suspension or expulsion from the University, and organizational sanctions may include revocation or denial of recognition or registration as provided by the Code of Student Conduct. Students who violate federal, state, and/or local laws may also be subject to criminal charges.
III. Educational Programs and Prevention
A. Hazing Task Force
For more information contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at (301) 314-8428
B. Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life (DFSL)
For more information contact DFSL at (301) 314-7172
C. Emergency Phones
University Police Emergency Response Telephones (PERT), recognized by a blue light affixed to each station, are available throughout the campus. By activating the phone, an individual will be automatically connected to a Police Dispatcher who is immediately alerted to the location of the phone.
IV. Additional Resources and Applicable Policies
A. The Student Legal Aid Office, located in South Campus Dining Hall, provides free, confidential legal advice to any University student. Undergraduates may contact 301-314-7756 (https://legalaid.umd.edu) and graduate students 301-405-5807 (http://president.umd.edu/policies/v100b.html)
B. University of Maryland Code of Student Conduct is available online at http://president.umd.edu/policies/v100b.html