The University of Arizona is committed to preventing hazing through policies, education, and compliance with state and federal law. Understanding these policies helps students, organizations, faculty, staff, and families recognize hazing, understand their rights and responsibilities, and contribute to a safe and respectful campus community.
University of Arizona Hazing Policy
All University of Arizona students have agreed to abide by the standards for behavior set forth by the Arizona Board of Regents. The Student Code of Conduct is in place to create a safe, healthy, and responsible environment that allows UA students, faculty, and staff to be successful in their daily endeavors and to achieve long term goals.
The Student Code of Conduct applies to individual students and to student organizations. Student organizations, as well as their members and other students, may also be held collectively and/or individually responsible for violations including but not limited to misconduct that occurs: (a) on university property; (b) on premises used or controlled by the organization; (c) at university-sponsored activities; or (d) in violation of university hazing policies.
The officers or leaders of a student organization may be held collectively and/or individually responsible when such violations are committed by persons associated with the organization who have received consent or encouragement from the organization's officers or leaders or if those officers or leaders knew or should have known that such violations were being or would be committed.
The officers or leaders of a student organization may be directed to take action designed to prevent or end such violations by the organization or by any persons associated with the organization. Failure to comply with a directive may be considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, both by the officers or leaders of the organization and by the organization.
The Student Code of Conduct prohibits hazing, as defined by the Student Code of Conduct and the Hazing Policy.
Specifically, hazing is Prohibited Conduct #19 - Engaging in, supporting, promoting, or sponsoring hazing or violating the board or university rules governing hazing.
Arizona State Law: “Jack’s Law”
Jack’s Law was enacted through Arizona House Bill 2322 and signed into law in 2022. Named in memory of Jack Culolias, a 19-year-old Arizona State University student who died in 2012 following a fraternity hazing incident involving excessive alcohol consumption, the law was created to strengthen Arizona's response to hazing and help prevent future tragedies.
Jack's Law established hazing as a specific criminal offense in Arizona, defining prohibited hazing behaviors and creating criminal penalties for individuals who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in hazing. The law applies to organizations and individuals involved in initiation, affiliation, or membership activities and includes enhanced penalties when hazing results in serious physical injury or death. In addition, the law requires Arizona universities and colleges to adopt anti-hazing policies, provide hazing prevention education, and maintain procedures for reporting and responding to hazing incidents.
By strengthening accountability, increasing awareness, and promoting prevention, Jack's Law serves as an important step in protecting students and fostering safer campus communities throughout Arizona.
Stop Campus Hazing Act
The federal Stop Campus Hazing Act expands the Clery Act by requiring colleges and universities to improve hazing prevention efforts and increase transparency. Institutions must collect and include hazing statistics in their Annual Security Report, publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report, make hazing prevention education and training available to all students and employees, and provide information about hazing prevention and reporting to help students and families make informed decisions.