Mid prohibits hazing of any kind. When hazing occurs, it permeates the College community and affects student organizations, student groups (whether recognized or not), employees of the College, and the College culture. No student organization, individual, or employee shall conduct or condone hazing activities. Any group or individual responsible for hazing may be subject to disciplinary action, criminal and/or civil prosecution.
What is Hazing
Under Michigan Law, hazing is a crime and the State has its own definition of hazing. This definition shares some commonalities with the federal definition. Since federal definitions take precedence over state, Mid has adopted the federal definition of hazing.
Hazing occurs when someone is forced to endure intentionally-created embarrassing, humiliating, or dangerous activities as a condition of joining or being a part of a student club/group or team, regardless of the individual’s consent and/or participation in the hazing activity.
Hazing Defined | Federal Definition of Hazing
Hazing indicates any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons), against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that
- Are committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a student organization.
- Cause or create a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury, including
- Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity.
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity.
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts.
- Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct.
- Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
- Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
State of Michigan Definition of Hazing (MCL 750.411t)
Michigan’s hazing law, enacted in 2004, prohibits individuals associated with educational institutions (students, employees, or volunteers) from engaging in or participating in hazing. The term hazing means
- An intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against an individual, and that the person knew or should have known endangers the physical health or safety of the individual; and
- Is done for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization. Hazing includes any of the following that is done for such a purpose
- Physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.
- Physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, or calisthenics, that subject the other person to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual.
- Activity involving the consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance that subjects the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual.
- Activity that induces, causes, or requires an individual to perform a duty or task that involves the commission of a crime or an act of hazing.
Reporting Options
Any student, employee, third-party, or bystander who experiences, observes, or becomes aware of conduct that may constitute hazing, is required to report it as soon as possible to Campus Security, the Vice President of Student Services & Advancement, or by using the online report form available on the College’s Mid Cares webpage and complete the Student Wellness & Conduct Referral Form.
Campus Security
- Harrison Campus | (989) 339-4204 Main Building Room 139
- Mt. Pleasant Campus | (989) 339-7323 Center for Student Services (CSS), Room 146
- Email security@midmich.edu
Vice President of Student Services & Advancement
Mid’s Website & Online Reporting Platform
- Use the Mid Cares webpage to complete the Student Wellness & Conduct Referral Form.
- Access to this form is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Submitted reports may not be viewed outside of normal business hours, on weekends, during holidays, or when the College is closed. If there is an immediate risk to health or safety, contact 911.
College Response
Reports of hazing involving a student or student organization will be reviewed and assessed through Student Conduct. If the reported incident is in violation of the Anti-Hazing Policy, it will be investigated following the Student Code of Conduct, using the resolution procedures outlined in that policy.
Reports of hazing involving an employee will be referred to College Compliance & Ethics. The Compliance & Ethics team will investigate the report using the grievance procedures outlined in the Employee Nondiscriminatory Harassment Procedure.
Hazing FAQ’s
What are some examples of hazing?
Hazing can include physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual coercion, forced consumption, and criminal activities. Below are some examples of each.
- Physical abuse may include paddling, whipping, or striking; extreme sleep deprivation; confinement in small spaces; extreme calisthenics, or similar activities.
- Psychological abuse may include acts of public humiliation and beratement; implied threats; verbal intimidation.
- Sexual coercion may include pressuring individuals to perform sexual acts, voyeurism – watching sexual acts, taking photos, etc.
- Forced consumption of alcohol, water, insects, food, and the like.
- Criminal Activities such as theft, malicious destruction of property, underage drinking, or other activities that are criminal in nature.
What are some signs of hazing?
Acts of hazing are not always obvious, and individuals may not even realize they are being hazed. According to stophazing.org some common signs of hazing include, but are not limited to
- Chronic fatigue
- Isolation from friends and family
- Only associating with certain people
- Change in normal behavior such as skipping class, not eating meals, not bathing/showering
- Concern expressed by others
What are some alternatives to hazing?
- Engaging in activities that promote positive team-building, group cohesiveness, and leadership skills that create a strong bond among members of an organization. Some examples include community service projects, teambuilding exercises, leadership workshops, and organization retreats.
How can I safely fight against hazing?
According to the Clery Center and stophazing.org, there are five steps for safe and effective bystander intervention strategies, which include
- Notice Hazing | Recognize the warning signs and activities that perpetuate hazing; do not overlook/turn a blind eye to acts of hazing.
- Recognize the Harm | Hazing can lead to death, physical and psychological harm, and can have a lasting negative effect on individuals who experience and witness hazing.
- Accept Responsibility | Each member of the campus community plays a necessary role in the prevention of hazing and should report hazing incidents immediately.
- Develop Skills | Recognize a potential harm; shift the focus; safely confronting individuals who are planning to or are engaging in hazing activities; and shift attitudes on hazing and promote safe, healthy alternatives.
- Take Action | Intervene early on, directly or indirectly, to prevent hazing from happening and cultivate healthy group spaces.
What are some internal and external resources regarding hazing awareness and prevention?
- Mid students and employees are eligible to engage in online training modules and may request access by contacting Human Resources via email at lfassett1@midmich.edu or mfarrell@midmich.edu. Student clubs/groups and athletic teams may also request a face-to-face presentation from College Compliance & Ethics, in conjunction with Security Operations & Systems, by emailing sos@midmich.edu.
External resources with Helpful Information
Public Disclosures
Per the Stop Campus Hazing Act, the College is required to include an anti-hazing policy, prevention programming information, and reported acts of hazing within our Annual Security Report. It also requires the development of a Campus Hazing Transparency Report. This Report summarizes any hazing violation findings and is available below.
Coming Soon!
- 2025 Annual Security Report (available no later than October 1, 2025)
- Hazing Transparency Report (available no later than December 23, 2025)
Mid has no tolerance for hazing activities. What may seem fun or non-threatening for some may be physically or emotionally damaging to others. Educate yourself and see hazing for what it really is.