What Constitutes Hazing At Bowdoin?

Explanation
Yes, this is hazing. The Captains have formal power (in their role as Captains) and personal power (as older members of the team), making it far less likely any first-years will feel comfortable to opt out of the scavenger hunt. The first three scavenger hunt items imply a sexual element, and by requiring a photo with a man in a Speedo, the task further suggests sex is an expected part of the outcome. Red flags for this event are that it singles out first years and it has a strong sexual element. Students often think making something optional is the best way to avoid hazing when in fact, this suggests the Captains suspected the event could be construed as hazing. If all members had participated equally, if the items were not sexual in nature, and the scavenger hunt did not create fear for anyone on the team, this would have been a good bonding opportunity and would not have violated the hazing policy.

Explanation
No, this is not hazing. All members participated equally regardless of class year or role within the club (including during the planning stages); neither admission nor continued acceptance in the group were dependent on participation; no members weresingled out at any point. The drinking game violates the alcohol policy and the public drunkenness and yelling are disruptive to other students, but the evening’s events do not violate the hazing policy. If the new members had been singled out by upper class students at any point
(to dress in costume, to play the drinking game, or yell in the cafeteria), that would be considered hazing.

Explanation
Yes, this is hazing. Although they did not carry out the plan, upperclass students later reported that they “only wanted to scare” the younger students. The hazing policy clearly prohibits activities that could psychologically embarrass or demean, the clear intent and effect of the email. First-year students were singled out, also a violation of the hazing policy.

Explanation
Yes, this is hazing. This is a violation of Bowdoin’s Hazing Policy. Although better than their predecessors’ event, the lessened severity does not absolve the organizers from being adjudicated for hazing. Current members violated the hazing policy by: singling out new members; requiring students to drink alcohol; and by working to evoke the fear of being lost among new members, none of whom were aware of the safeguards.

Explanation
No, this is not hazing. This challenge is not required for admission or continued acceptance in the group and is open to all members, so although dangerous and misguided, it is not a hazing violation. Hard alcohol, drinking games and underage drinking are all prohibited under the Bowdoin College Alcohol Policy. This could quickly become a hazing activity if all new members were expected to challenge the champion each semester and upper class students served only as organizers and sober judges. And, if most or all current members participated in this rite as part of their entry to the student organization, it would be very difficult for new members to perceive the event as optional.

Explanation
No, this is not hazing. There is no evidence that anyone was pressured to play and no members were included or excluded based on class year or time on the team. Although multiple campus policies were violated (underage drinking, drinking games, and the use of hard alcohol) and students were in physical danger, this example does not describe hazing. It would be considered hazing if the first years were expected to finish the handle as an initiation to the team.

Explanation
Yes, this is hazing. Although the event was open to all students and some non-team members voluntarily chose to dress as women, the first-year members of the team were singled out and required to dress in different, more ridiculous clothing than upper-class students, which is a violation of the hazing policy. If the team had simply held the prom theme party and allowed the members to dress as they chose, this would not be considered hazing.