When you hear about incidents of bullying and hazing on the news, you generally think of them as two separate behaviors. For example, we usually assume that bullying occurs between enemies while hazing occurs between members of the same organization. That is to say, there's a more sinister intent behind bullying than there is hazing. The truth is bullying and hazing share differences and similarities. If you're accused of bullying or hazing, you'll likely be punished for violating your school's Student Code of Conduct.

School should be a safe and fun place for learning. When you reach the realm of higher education, you anticipate most people you encounter will be more concerned with their academic careers than anything else, but behavioral problems can occur as well. Whether you're a student who experiences those bad behaviors or you're a student who's accused of those harmful behaviors, you should understand a few key differences.

How Are Bullying and Hazing the Same?

Bullying and hazing share similarities. For example, in both bullying and hazing, the students toward whom the behavior is directed can experience emotional and physical trauma. Additionally, both behaviors are often administered by a student who has a certain power dynamic over others. This unequal power dynamic can be used to influence behaviors, as is the case in incidents of hazing.

Hazing and bullying might also share similar punishments if your school accuses you of either. Even if the actions aren't criminal in nature, they could lead to your dismissal from your program for student conduct issues.

How Are Bullying and Hazing Different?

We most commonly think of hazing in terms of fraternities and grueling initiation processes. Although the effects of hazing can have catastrophic consequences, as is the case when students get injured or consume too much alcohol, hazing is thought of as a rite of passage. This means the targets of hazing are sometimes participating voluntarily. Unlike bullying, where the targets are unwilling victims, those who are hazed do so to become part of a group on campus. Often, hazing isn't what it's made out to be in the news. There are many forms of hazing, and most of them are innocuous. That said, schools still have severe penalties in place for incidents of hazing because the sad truth is some students have died from incidents of hazing. Dartmouth's Hazing Policy, for example, doesn't just hold individuals accountable but the entire organization.

Speak With an Attorney-Advisor

If you're accused of hazing or bullying, you should speak to a student discipline defense attorney-advisor right away. Attorney Joseph D. Lento helps students across the country return to good standing within their university. To learn how Attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can help you, contact us online or call 888-535-3686 today.