UC Merced is a community that aims to support the positive growth and development of all students through co-curricular involvement in organizations, teams and community service. We are committed to the promotion of close-knit and comfortable environments where students can get involved, build meaningful relationships and develop leadership skills. Though many organizations have certain requirements that new members must fulfill, legitimate obligations of membership should not put students in danger or humiliate, degrade or abuse them regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.
Hazing Prevention
What is hazing?
Hazing is any activity that is demeaning, embarrassing, or mentally/physically injurious to an individual or group. If it causes or is likely to cause harm or personal degradation, it’s hazing.
UC Merced Policy
"Participation in hazing or any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a campus organization or other activity engaged in by the organization or members of the organization at any time that causes, or is likely to cause, physical injury or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in psychological harm to any student or other person." (Conduct Standard 102.12)
California State Law
"'Hazing’ or ‘haze’ is conduct which causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to another person in the course of the other person’s pre-initiation into, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization." (California Penal Code, Section 245.6)
Each year, the Fraternity and Sorority Office plans either a Hazing Prevention Day or Hazing Prevention Week in the Fall semester of the academic year. Be on the lookout on our Facebook & Instagram page for updated events.
Each chapter is required to receive a Hazing Prevention presentation in their chapter meeting once in an academic year. Additionally, new member educators/pledge educators are required to attend a specific Hazing Prevention workshop geared towards new member/membership practices prior to each recruitment period.
Additional Resources
- IxChel Chagoya, Advisor for Registered Clubs & Organizations, achagoya@ucmerced.edu
- JaeJae Julian, Associate Director of Student Involvement, jjulian@ucmerced.edu
- Enrique Guzman, Director of Student Involvement, eguzman@ucmerced.edu
- Alex Llamas, Assistant Director of Student Rights and Responsibility - Conduct & Integrity Programs, allamas2@ucmerced.edu, 209-228-5442
- Vanessa Hauser, Associate Director for Student Conduct, Compliance & Outreach, vhauser@ucmerced.edu, 209-228-0069
- Le'Trice Curl, Associate Dean of Students, Office of Student Rights & Responsibility, lcurl@ucmerced.edu, 209-228-7881
- Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities, osrr@ucmerced.edu, 209-228-0069
- Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, ophd@ucmerced.edu, 209-413-4652
- UC Merced Police Department, police@ucmerced.edu, 209-228-2677
- Office of the Ombuds, A Confidential, Informal, Neutral, and Independent resource for all UC Merced community members, 209-228-4410
- Greek Anti-Hazing Hotline (toll-free and anonymous), 888-668-4293 (888-NOT-HAZE)
Campus Resources:
