This is a list of hazing deaths in the United States. This is not an exhaustive list. An exact list is not available because there is no central system for tracking hazing deaths, and the role of
hazing
Hazing (American English), initiation, beasting (British English), bastardisation (Australian English), ragging (South Asian English) or deposition refers to any activity expected of someone in joining or participating in a group that humiliates, ...
in some deaths is subject to disagreement. Inclusion in this list requires that the incident was described by the media as a hazing-related death. Incidents involving criminal or civil proceedings that did not find a definite link with hazing may still be included if they meet this criterion.
According to the National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention at the
University of Maine
The University of Maine (UMaine) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine, United States. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universitie ...
, hazing is defined as "any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers them, regardless of a person's willingness to participate".
Although hazing is often associated with the activities that take place as a prerequisite for joining a group, it can also include activities that take place as an established member, such as the 2011 death of fraternity brother
George Desdunes.
There was at least one university hazing death in the United States each year from 1969 to 2021.
Over 200 university hazing deaths have occurred since 1838, with 40 deaths between 2007 and 2017 alone.
Alcohol poisoning is the biggest cause of death.
History
18th century
19th century
1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
See also
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Death of Logan Melgar
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Hazing in Greek letter organizations
Hazing in Greek letter organizations is defined as any act or set of acts that constitutes hazing and occurs in connection to a fraternity or sorority.
Hazing is often cited as one of the most harmful aspects of fraternities and sororities and ...
*
History of North American college fraternities and sororities
*
Suicide of Danny Chen
*
Suicide of Harry Lew
References
External links
Hank Nuwer's List of Deaths by Hazing
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hazing deaths in the United States
Fraternities and sororities in the United States
Death-related lists
Lists of people by cause of death
Accidental deaths in the United States
Deaths from hazing
Death in the United States-related lists
University folklore