Hazing generally includes mistreatment of students or other persons (pledges or plebes) in a ritualistic or tradition-based way that must be endured by the prospective members to gain admission to a group, club, or organization. The members doing the hazing often attempt to justify these hazing practices by referring to them as a rite of passage or rationalizing that all current members had to endure it and new prospective members should as well.

Hazing can take many forms, including:

• Requiring victims to act as a personal servant to senior (older) group members

• Forcing victims to binge drink or consume large amounts of alcohol or drugs

• Requiring victims to engage in embarrassing acts, such as wearing a costume or sign around their neck in public

• Depriving victims of sleep, food, or the ability to use the restroom

• Prohibiting victims from associating with family, friends, or other persons

• Swearing or yelling insults at victims.

Most schools have policies against hazing and in many states hazing may be prosecuted as a criminal offense if it results in bodily injury.

In Minnesota, hazing is considered a criminal offense under Minnesota Statutes Section 121A.69. The law defines hazing as any act committed by a person associated with a student organization against a student or other person that is intended to or should reasonably be expected to cause physical or emotional harm or to raise substantial fear thereof, as a condition of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group or organization. The statute covers a range of hazing activities, including those that may result in bodily harm or significant mental stress. Minnesota law requires secondary schools and postsecondary institutions to adopt and enforce policies prohibiting hazing. Criminal penalties for hazing can vary depending on the severity of the act and the harm caused. Educational institutions in Minnesota also have their own policies and disciplinary procedures to address hazing, which can include sanctions independent of the criminal justice system.