Hazing Prevention
Policy on Hazing; Policy Number 50.6
The Trustees of the Stevens Institute of Technology (“Stevens” or the “University”) is committed to providing an environment free from hazing. Consistent with the University’s obligations under New Jersey Law (as modified from time to time, “NJ Law”) [1], this Policy reflects Stevens’ zero-tolerance for hazing, clarifies the types of conduct that constitute hazing under this Policy and relevant law, explains how Stevens will enforce the Policy, including providing mandatory training and appropriate penalties for violations, and explains how to report alleged violations of the Policy. All capitalized terms used in this Policy without definition are defined in Section VIII.
[1] N.J. STAT. ANN. § 18A:3-27.1-27.4, 2C:40-3-4 (West 2022).
Violations of Stevens Institute of Technology's Policy on Hazing
JANUARY 1, 2018 - December 31, 2023
Date of Subject Charged with Violation | Description of Violation | Investigation | Findings and Penalities Imposed by Stevens | Resolution Date |
2/22/2022 | Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority (Phi Sig) participated in an activity with members of the Beta Theta Pi (Beta) fraternity where active members of Phi Sig chapter smeared and applied red lipstick on the faces and lips of new members of their chapter and required the new Phi Sig members to kiss a member of Beta. | Stevens Student Affairs staff conducted interviews with relevant individuals and reviewed supportive evidence. | Stevens found the Phi Sig sorority responsible for hazing based on available information and evidence. The sorority was placed on social probation through Spring of 2023, was not eligible to co-sponsor, co-organize, or co-host events with fraternities, and was required to develop a re-imagined New Member Education Plan and a hazing prevention education program. | 3/8/2022 |
2/22/2022 | Beta Theta Pi Fraternity (Beta) participated in an activity with members of the Phi Sigma Sigma (Phi Sig) sorority where active members of Beta duct-taped one of their members to a chair, carried said member across the street to Phi Sig’s house, and required new members of the Phi Sig chapter to kiss the member of Beta on his cheeks and lips. | Stevens Student Affairs staff conducted interviews with relevant individuals and reviewed supportive evidence. | Stevens found the Beta Fraternity responsible for hazing based on available information and evidence. The fraternity was placed on social probation through Spring of 2023, not eligible to co-sponsor, co-organize, or co-host events with sororities, and required to work with the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life to develop a re-imagined New Member Education Plan. Beta was given a range of educational sanctions including planning and presenting a hazing prevention education program for the 2022 National Hazing Prevention Week, and initiating a new member education brotherhood program in conjunction and in partnership with the Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life and Beta Theta Pi Headquarters. | 3/8/2022 |
10/21/2022 | A report was shared with a University official in October 2022 regarding Beta Theta Pi's Spring 2019 new member education process activities. The University swiftly responded and launched an investigation that lasted until Spring 2023. A summary of the violation is provided as follows. During the Spring 2019 Beta Theta Pi new member recruitment period, active members instructed a pledging member to climb into an oversized tire to be rolled in a racing format. This new member was pushed by another new member while in the tire and the tire landed violently on his head causing severe pain and permanent injuries to the new member. Following receipt of information about the new member's injury, active members stationed the new member in the "Baird Room" of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, where the student remained with the lights off and the blinds down so they could be in a dark place. While the chapter was under the obligation to report any known or suspected violation of Stevens Policy on Hazing to Stevens as soon as possible and to report any emergency situation involving hazing to Campus Police immediately, there is no record of Beta Theta Pi ever reporting the incident or the injury sustained by the new member to Stevens in the Spring of 2019. | Stevens Student Affairs staff conducted interviews with relevant individuals and reviewed supportive evidence. | Stevens found the Beta Theta Pi fraternity responsible for hazing based on available information and evidence. The fraternity was placed on University Probation throughout the 2023 calendar year. Beta Theta Pi was given a range of educational sanctions including planning and presenting a hazing prevention education program to the campus community, requiring all members to complete a required hazing and bullying e-learning module, and conducting future new member education in partnership with the Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life and Beta Theta Pi Headquarters. | 3/17/2023 |