Hazing Policy, Reporting
& Prevention

Our Commitment

As a welcoming community of learners, the University of St. Francis is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus community. Hazing in any form is strictly prohibited and is inconsistent with our institutional values of respect, compassion, service, and integrity. All students have the right to participate in university activities without the fear of being hazed.

What is Hazing?

Under the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, an amendment to the Clery Act, the term “hazing” means 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:

Stop Campus Hazing Act
  • is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
  • causes or creates 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 consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
    • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts (Title IX implications);
    • 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; and
    • 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.

A student organization is defined as “an organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.”

Consent is not a defense. Even if someone agrees to participate, the behavior may still constitute hazing.

Title IX violations may occur when the hazing is sex-based, and any such incidents can be investigated under federal Title IX policies as well.

Illinois Law

Hazing is illegal in the state of Illinois. Hazing is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, except in the situation where hazing results in death or great bodily harm; it is then considered a Class 4 felony.

Note that the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act is broader than the Illinois anti-hazing law included below. USF’s anti-hazing policy aligns with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act.

720 ILCS 120/5. Hazing

A person commits hazing who knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State, for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution if:

  • (a) the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution; and
  • (b) the act results in bodily harm to any person.

How to Report

Alleged violations of the hazing policy must be reported immediately with relevant information including dates, times, and persons involved. If someone is injured or doing something illegal, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait; this action could save someone’s life.
Report hazing violations to any of the following offices:
  • Campus Culture & Title IX: Motherhouse, 148; Complete the misconduct reporting form.
  • Dean of Student Life: Motherhouse, 142; Call (815)740-4293
  • Campus Safety & Security: Tower Hall, TG-20; Call (815)740-3200

Students may report to the following external resource after reporting to our campus resources: Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293).

Disciplinary Actions

Any student, staff, or faculty member found to have engaged in or found to have sanctioned hazing activity against another individual can be subject to disciplinary action outlined in the Student Code of Conduct or USF Policy Manual.

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

Each institution is required to develop a Campus Hazing Transparency Report that outlines findings related to any established or recognized student organization determined to have violated the institution’s hazing policies, as defined within its standards of conduct.

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

It will be released twice a year, at the conclusion of fall and spring semesters, and must include each incident involving a student organization for which a finding of responsibility is issued relating to a hazing violation, including:

  • The name of the student organization;
  • A general description of the violation that resulted in a finding of responsibility, including:
    • whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs,
    • the findings of the institution, and
    • any sanctions placed on the student organization by the institution, as applicable.
  • The dates on which:
    • The incident was alleged to have occurred;
    • The investigation into the incident was initiated;
    • The investigation ended with a finding that a hazing violation occurred; and
    • The institution provided notice to the student organization that the incident resulted in a hazing violation.

USF Campus Hazing Transparency Report

There were no findings of responsibility for hazing violations at the University of St. Francis between August 2025 and December 2025.

Prevention & USF Community Responsibility

Preventing hazing is a shared responsibility. All members of the USF community are expected to:

  • Speak up when they see concerning behavior
  • Support peers who may be at risk
  • Promote healthy, respectful group traditions
  • Participate in hazing prevention education