There was a time not long ago when behaviors associated with hazing on college and university campuses, or initiation rites, were viewed mainly as sophomoric shenanigans, with group leaders and members subjecting new recruits, or pledges, to embarrassing dares and pranks.
But hazing has become more and more serious over time and is prohibited on campuses throughout the country. This includes New Jersey's post-secondary institutions, including Rowan University. In recent years, policies and laws designed to prevent and punish hazing have been strengthened, with some behaviors treated as criminal offenses.
Along with the escalation of hazing behaviors have come progressively harsher punishments for students involved. Tragically, some hazing victims have been seriously hurt and have even died, often but not always due to alcohol poisoning.
If you are a Rowan University undergraduate or graduate student or an advisor involved in a hazing investigation, depending on the severity of accusations, you could be facing sanctions from the university, such as suspension or expulsion, and you could even be facing possible criminal penalties.
This is undoubtedly a scary position to be in. The good news is that you don't have to face this alone. When dealing with criminal hazing charges, there are usually two different battles to fight: one in court and one with the school. This means two different types of lawyers can be needed – an education law attorney and a criminal defense lawyer who knows how to handle the legal system and defend against criminal charges.
The Lento Law Firm is in the unique position of offering a winning combination of both roles. We stand at the intersection of both legal realms at the Lento Law Firm. If you are a Rowan University student facing criminal hazing charges, call 888-535-3686 or send us information about your situation through our online form to protect yourself and your future.
Rowan University Takes Criminal Hazing Seriously
It can be hard to believe that hazing could be a problem even at prestigious institutions like Rowan, a Carnegie-classified national doctoral research university that prides itself on “healthy life choices, multicultural competency, personal and professional growth, campus and community involvement, civic responsibility and leadership development.” But even here, hazing has occurred.
A few examples of Rowan University student groups who were investigated for hazing in the 2022-23 school year and reported for hazing in 2023-24 include:
- Allegations of emotional harm, forced attendance, forced attire, and compulsory servitude at Alpha Epsilon Phi, as well as a hazing event called “heaven and hell” that allegedly involved forced consumption of cocaine, paddling, and other morally degrading activities.
- Allegations that sorority members of Delta Phi Epsilon participated in a hazing event called “the purge” that allegedly involved forced consumption of cocaine, paddling, and other morally degrading activities.
- Allegations that advisors to the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha were aware of off-campus hazing activities and failed to report them.
- Allegations that Lambda Tau Omega required new recruits to participate in hazing behaviors.
- Reports by Pi Kappa Alpha members of “compulsory servitude” and being prevented from leaving the house for more than one hour per day on weekends.
- Multiple allegations of compulsory servitude, excessive fatigue, and required physical activity at Sigma Pi.
- Reports of emotional harm, compulsory servitude, exhaustion, and physical, mental, or emotional deprivation or harm at Sigma Delta Tau.
Other allegations of hazing at Rowan University include:
- Restricting sleep
- Slapping and punching
- Forced attendance at parties
- Forced alcohol consumption
- Degradation
- Verbal abuse
- Sleep deprivation
- Dietary restrictions
In some of the cases listed above, including those referred to the Rowan University Police, investigations were resolved without sanctions. In other cases, organizations were penalized with temporary or permanent loss of recognition, interim suspension, implementation of a structured accountability plan, notification to national chapters, and mandatory education.
Some of the more serious reports, had they been substantiated, could have progressed to the criminal level, such as allegations of forcing others to consume cocaine and alcohol.
Anti-Hazing Policies and Laws
Rowan's approximately 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students are subject to the school's anti-hazing policies as well as New Jersey and United States anti-hazing laws.
With an alarming trend toward increasingly risky behaviors associated with hazing, it's no wonder that schools, state governments, and the federal government have strengthened anti-hazing policies and laws in recent years. One federal law, called the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), was enacted in December 2024. In sum, SCHA:
- Requires colleges and universities to report hazing incidents in their annual “Clery Report.”
- Provides research-based hazing education and prevention programs.
- Requires colleges and universities to post their hazing prevention policies publicly on their websites, as well as a list of organizations that have violated them.
As required by the SCHA, Rowan University's anti-hazing position and policy are clearly stated on its website:
- “Rowan University has a long-standing commitment to end the practice of hazing.” The website describes in detail the behaviors and context associated with hazing on its campuses, beginning with the description that hazing involves “[e]ngaging in a manner that a reasonable person would conclude endangers the mental or physical health or safety or which may demean, disgrace, or degrade any person, regardless of location, intent, or consent of participant(s).”
- “Rowan University strictly prohibits hazing of any kind in any student organization or team. Students are held accountable for violations of state law and university policy as they are related to hazing.”
In addition to outlining the position of the university, Rowan specifically references New Jersey Code 2C:40-3 on hazing and aggravated hazing. This law finds a student guilty of hazing under the “disorderly person offense” if, as a part of a student organization, he or she “knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates, or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events, which places or may place another person in danger of bodily injury.” If the hazing does, in fact, result in serious bodily injury, the crime is upgraded to aggravated hazing, now a third-degree crime, punishable by 3-5 years in prison and/or fines of up to $15,000.
Some of these actions are listed below. Rowan University students who, as part of a student organization, knowingly or recklessly engage in even one act of hazing can be found guilty of hazing, jeopardizing their academic future, and potentially violating criminal law. You could face legal consequences if you:
- Persuade another student to break the law
- Convince another student to consume alcohol or other drugs, food, liquids, or other substances that put their physical and emotional health at risk
- Physically abuse, degrade, harass, or mistreat someone by beating, whipping, or branding them, or subjecting them to excessive exercise exposure to the elements
- Mentally or emotionally abusing someone through extreme embarrassment, social isolation, sleep deprivation, or other actions that adversely impact their dignity or mental and emotional health
- Sexually abusing, degrading, harassing, or mistreating someone
- Commit any action that creates a reasonable likelihood of injury to someone
Criminal Hazing Accusations Call for a Strong Defense
If you've been accused of hazing or aggravated hazing at Rowan University, and you are facing not only the possibility of suspension or expulsion but also criminal punishments, you may be wondering how to defend yourself, whether you feel the charges are unwarranted or you know you made a mistake but feel you deserve a second chance.
Perhaps you were identified by the dean or other university administrators as having been involved in hazing when you weren't actually present. Or, perhaps a fellow organization member was involved in an incident, but you just happened to be in the vicinity, a member of the group, or on a team.
Colleges and universities do make mistakes and may report students to the authorities when unwarranted. Innocent students sometimes face undeserved allegations and punishments. There are also cases in which you could be responsible to a certain point, but a reasonable explanation exists for a behavior that may negate criminal charges. In addition to the consequences that come with behavioral misconduct findings, a criminal record can seriously damage your reputation, education, professional opportunities, finances, and personal life.
Call on the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team
The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team has successfully helped countless students nationwide who faced allegations of hazing that have risen to the criminal level. If you are a Rowan University student facing criminal hazing charges, call 888-535-3686 or tell us about your situation through our online form.
