Anti-Hazing Policy
Policy Statement
Mass General Brigham University of Health Professions maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for hazing. Hazing is a violation of Mass General Brigham University policy, state and federal law, and the professional codes of conduct governing health professions. This policy applies to all employees, clients, visitors, students, student organizations, clubs, and academic or professional societies. Hazing is inconsistent with the values of professionalism, respect, interprofessional collaboration, and patient-centered care that underpin healthcare education and practice.
Definition of Hazing
Consistent with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R.5646), the University defines hazing as:
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 (1) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and (2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institute of higher education or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.
Hazing includes conduct prohibited under both the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Sections 17–19. Where the definitions differ, the broader definition shall apply.
Reporting Procedures
Every member of the University community has a responsibility to keep our campus safe. If you experience, witness, or suspect hazing, you are urged to report it immediately.
- Emergency Situations: If there is an immediate threat to physical safety, contact MGB Police and Security or call 911.
- Non-Emergency Reporting: Reports can be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs and Services or through the University's anonymous online reporting tool [Student Incident Report Form]
- Massachusetts law may require individuals with knowledge of certain hazing incidents resulting in serious bodily injury to report such incidents to law enforcement authorities.
Retaliation, intimidation, threats, coercion, or adverse action against any individual who reports hazing, participates in an investigation, or serves as a witness is strictly prohibited.
Investigations
Reports of alleged hazing will be reviewed promptly and investigated by the appropriate University office. The University may take interim measures to protect community members while an investigation is pending.
Disciplinary Action
Violations of this policy will be adjudicated through the University’s student and employee disciplinary processes as applicable.
Sanctions may include educational interventions, warnings, probation, loss of privileges, removal from leadership positions, suspension, expulsion, termination of employment, revocation of recognition of a student organization, and referral to law enforcement when appropriate.
Notifications
Disclosure to students: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Sections 17–19 must be distributed annually to students and student organizations.
The University provides hazing prevention and awareness education for students, employees, faculty, and recognized student organizations through orientation, training, and other educational initiatives.
CLERY Annual Security Report
Beginning on October 1, 2026, the University will include statistics about hazing in its Annual Security Report.
Campus Hazing Transparency Report
The Stop Campus Hazing Act H.R.5646 requires institutions of higher education that participate in federal student aid programs to report hazing incidents. The University will publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report, as required by federal law, that summarizes findings concerning any student organization found to be in violation of the institution’s standards of conduct related to hazing.
Approved: July 2026