Under Michigan State University policy, hazing is strictly prohibited. The University provides information regarding how to report incidents of hazing, the process used to investigate such incidents of hazing, and information on applicable laws on hazing. To view the institutional policy, visit: https://msu.public.na2.doctract.com/doctract/documentportal/08DD6D6960EB084E6C059AFF9469CAA9 (effective 6/23/2025).
The State of Michigan has criminalized certain types of hazing at educational institutions under “Garret’s Law.” Under Garret’s Law, “a person who attends, is employed by, or is a volunteer of an educational institution shall not engage in or participate in the hazing of an individual.” Conduct that violates Garret’s Law may also violate the institutional policy. For more information on hazing activities prohibited under Garret’s Law, see MCL 750.411t.
Anyone who becomes aware of prohibited hazing conduct is encouraged to immediately report the incident, including all observed or learned details.
How to Report:
Those impacted by hazing may choose to report to law enforcement, to the university, to both, or to neither as the individual may choose.
Employees designated as Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) under the Clery Act may have additional reporting responsibilities. Under the Mandatory Reporting for Relationship Violence, Sexual Misconduct and Stalking Policy, university employees and volunteers, as defined under the policy, may also have reporting requirements (https://u.policies.msu.edu/doctract/documentportal/08DBAFDC9D2AEC3A1CD680BEF116DAE5).
In addition to the Campus Hazing Transparency Report described below, MSU publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) which contains statistics for various Clery Act-reportable crimes, including hazing. The hazing statistics included in the ASFSR are those that meet the Clery Act crime definition, occurred within Clery Geography, and were reported to a Campus Security Authority. Hazing statistics will be included in the ASFSR beginning October 2026. You can find the most recent ASFSR here. Additionally, the Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS) maintain a Clery Crime and Fire Log which is a public log of all crimes and fires reported to DPPS that occurred within Clery Geography or within the DPPS patrol jurisdiction.
Note: The criteria for statistics included in the ASFSR or the Clery Crime and Fire Log vary from the criteria for what must be included in the Campus Hazing Transparency Report and, therefore, will differ.
The Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHTR) summarizes findings concerning any student organization found to be in violation of MSU’s standards of conduct relating to hazing. The CHTR information will be updated not less frequently than 2 times each year and will be maintained for 5 years from the date of publication. The CHTR will not include any personally identifiable information in accordance with section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (commonly known as the ‘Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974’).
Organization: Sigma Tau Gamma
Timeline
Date Occurred: Exact incident date(s) unknown, approximately Fall 2025
Date Investigation Initiated: 11/24/2025
Date Notice Provided to Organization of Finding: 3/18/2026
Date Investigation Ended: 3/18/2026
General Description: New members asked to stay a night at the rock and only allowed to leave for class. New members were told to wear suits, wear a pin and carry around a notebook and paddle. New members were yelled at if they could not present those items to other members.
Did the violation involve abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs? No
Findings: Student Organization Policies/Hazing
Sanctions: Probation, Educational Sanctions x2
Organization: Zeta Sigma Chi Sorority, Inc.
Timeline
Date Occurred: Approximately 3/17/2025-3/18/2025, additional dates unknown
Date Investigation Initiated: 3/24/2025
Date Notice Provided to Organization of Finding: 2/26/2026
Date Investigation Ended: 3/12/2026
General Description: Candidates were asked to consent to blindfolds, have their knowledge checked and attend an urgent meeting with minimal notice. Candidates were asked to share their location tracking information with the organization members and were dissuaded from sharing that information with friends and family.
Did the violation involve abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs? No
Findings: Student Organization Policies/Hazing, Student Organization Policies/Other Prohibited Conduct
Sanctions: Probation
Published: 6/15/26
During this reporting period, there were no findings of responsibility concerning any student organization's violation of MSU's standards of conduct related to hazing.
Published: 12/15/2025