Ohio State Statement of Policy

Students are required to report any known or suspected hazing incidents to the university by submitting a Hazing Incident Report. This obligation is mandated by the Code of Student Conduct, which prohibits hazing and includes the failure to intervene, prevent, or report such acts as a violation of the Code. To report hazing, visit go.osu.edu/reporthazing

Under Collin's Law, any administrator, employee, faculty, teacher, consultant, alumnus, or volunteer acting in an official and professional capacity must immediately report knowledge of hazing to law enforcement. For hazing on the Columbus campus, call Ohio State University Police Department (OSUPD) at 614-292-2121. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1 immediately. For hazing off campus or on a regional campus, contact local law enforcement. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1. Additionally, these individuals are required to report hazing to the university. To report hazing to the university, go to: go.osu.edu/reporthazing. 

As found in the university's anti-hazing policy:

"The appropriate university office will conduct an investigation into the reported hazing, following their established procedures. Most investigations will be handled by Student Conduct in the Office of Student Life. Depending on the individuals involved and the nature of the allegations, other offices may also investigate. These offices may include—but are not limited to—the Office of Human Resources, the Civil Rights Compliance Office, and University Police."

The Ohio Anti-Hazing Act, or Collin's Law, effective October 7, 2021, makes acts of hazing a second-degree misdemeanor and acts of hazing that include coerced consumption of alcohol or drugs or abuse that result in serious physical harm a felony of the third degree. Collin's Law also requires employees and advisors to report hazing to local law enforcement and for the university to provide prevention education. For more information, please visit go.osu.edu/stophazing. 

The Stop Campus Hazing Act was signed into law on December 23, 2024. It is a federal law designed to improve transparency, prevention, and responsiveness to hazing on college campuses across the United States. It builds on the Clery Act by requiring institutions to report hazing incidents and educate students on prevention strategies. For more information on The Stop Campus Hazing Act, please visit clerycenter.org.

Ohio State is committed to using a comprehensive, data-informed approach to hazing prevention. Our approach includes:

• Maintaining a university anti-hazing policy
• Regularly communicating about reporting mechanisms and expectations
• Responding to reported hazing concerns in a timely manner
• Involving key stakeholders in the development and implementation of anti-hazing efforts
• Informing the campus about known hazing violations
• Utilizing data to continously improve hazing prevention practices
• Offering multiple anti-hazing educational and prevention programs throughout the year focused on awareness, bystander intervention, and promoting hazing-free group norms 

In compliance with Collin's Law, all students must complete hazing prevention training prior to joining a student organization. Additionally, employees serving as advisors, consultants, coaches or volunteers for student organizations or groups, must also complete hazing prevention training. An online module entitled Collin's Law: Anti-Hazing Education is available to all students, staff and faculty in BuckeyeLearn. 

The university offers additional engagement opportunities for students, faculty and staff, and advisors and other volunteers. These programs teach participants how to recognize, prevent, and respond to hazing and other forms of group-related risks. To participate, visit go.osu.edu/stophazing, where you can find upcoming events, request a workshop, or connect with staff.