Rites of passage or dangerous hazing?: An investigation into UK Universities’ initiation culture

While more commonly associated with American ‘Greek Culture,’ hazing and initiations have been present at British universities since at least the 16th century with ‘salting’ ceremonies taking place at Oxford and Cambridge. These practices have evolved in recent years, taking on more extreme forms, with some even resulting in student deaths. Incidents at institutions such as Harper Adams, Gloucestershire, and Newcastle universities have reignited calls for the system of higher education to act against these types of initiation ceremonies.   

This August, Harper Adams University in Shropshire made headlines. The university was compelled to suspend the rugby team, whose violent hazing incidents led to claims of sexual abuse. The investigation was triggered by a whistleblower who spoke out about an incident involving three of his peers. They were sexually assaulted with a wine bottle as part of a post-match ritual. He also went on to claim that older students pressured their peers to drink from “The Baby” – a bucket filled with alcohol and “bodily fluids” that included vomit and urine. 

Incidents like this have led to many universities like Warwick and Cardiff acting against such practices, yet the effectiveness of these policies has been called into question. As a result, universities have released formal statements on the matter and updated student behaviour policies. 

The concept of initiations in the UK can be traced back as early as the 16th century. Initiations took place at Oxford and Cambridge in the form of ‘saltings.’ These ceremonies consisted of the humorous introductions of first years into university – introductions included witty comments about the appearance of individuals, as well as comical anecdotes. While a few texts regarding these speeches have been identified, little is known about what went on in these ceremonies. We do however know that these events were famed for drunken behaviour. One report stated that, at a Pembroke salting in Cambridge, “a great deal of beer, as at all such meetings, was drunk,” and that after an evening of overindulgence, an individual “got but a little restless at night.” Cambridge explicitly prohibited saltings during the Elizabethan period, yet this ban was ignored – a trend that is upheld in the present day.  

The fact that initiation practices continue, despite centuries of attempted regulation, highlights the deep-rooted nature of these traditions in university culture. The background to adoptions sets the stage for understanding the ongoing challenges universities face in addressing dangerous initiation practices, as exemplified by recent events at institutions like Harper Adams University.  

The ongoing debate surrounding university initiations reached a fever pitch in August 2024 when Harper Adams students were temporarily banned from playing rugby, following allegations of sexual and physical abuse during initiation ceremonies. 

The situation at Harper Adams is not an isolated incident

The university, where Princess Anne serves as chancellor, faced accusations of allowing “endemic physical abuse” during rugby club initiations. An internal investigation revealed disturbing claims including sexual abuse, students being lashed with belts, and forced consumption of bodily waste. 

Whistleblowers spoke of rituals that included, but were not limited to, drinking bodily fluids, being sprayed in the eye with livestock marker, and being doused in hot curry sauce. Another student spoke of being “stripped naked and abandoned in unknown locations.”  Despite these claims, West Mercia police have ceased investigations into the matter, citing insufficient evidence. 

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) expressed deep concern over the allegations, leading to an interim suspension order issued by the Student Rugby Football Union (SRFU). This ban effectively halted all organised rugby activities at the university, including competitions held by British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). 

The situation at Harper Adams is not an isolated incident. In 2022, both Warwick and Cardiff Universities took decisive action against hazing initiations following revelations of traumatic student experiences. Former students from these institutions shared accounts of humiliating and dangerous practices on TikTok. At Warwick, rituals included “The Seed” where students were forced to curl up naked while beer was poured over them, and the “Fountain of Youth”, where students would drink alcohol that had been poured over a teammate’s genitals. 

Cardiff University faced similar issues, with reports of new members being locked in cupboards with strobe lights and loud music, alongside other destructive behaviours during social events.  In response, both universities have implemented strict bans on hazing activities, warning of severe consequences for students found to be involved. Warwick have explicitly stated that “they do not tolerate hazing,” and that “all students who join the university comply with [the] dignity at Warwick policy.” 

Cardiff University also responded, stating: “clear initiations or similar behaviour have no place at Cardiff University. The University and Students’ Union have policies in place related to conduct and behaviour. Any student found to be in breach of those policies will be subject to disciplinary action.”  In Cardiff’s Student Behaviour Procedure, the university states that students must “treat all members of the wider University Community with dignity and respect,” and that they are also required to “take personal responsibility for their own behaviour as well as the safety of themselves and others within the wider University Community.” 

To get an understanding of initiations at Warwick, I spoke to Jiang (not his real name), a third-year student at the University of Warwick, who offers a nuanced view on university initiations. Describing himself as “a bit of a lad,” Jiang approves of mild initiation practices, likening their purpose to traditional hierarchical structures in society like hunting groups and corporate environments. He believes these activities build trust among team members and create shared experiences. 

Jiang asserts that he would actively intervene to prevent anyone being placed in an uncomfortable or non-consensual situation

From Jiang’s perspective, initiations are more than just rituals. Initiations are a departure from normal society that appeal to those drawn to high-testosterone environments. He notes that none of his acquaintances who have wholeheartedly participated in initiations have expressed regret. Instead, they often describe the experiences as a way of having “fun” and “bonding” with other society members. 

However, Jiang is quick to emphasise the importance of consent and personal boundaries in these practices. He draws a firm line at non-consensual hazing, insisting that explicit consent must be given for any activity. When asked about social pressure to participate in certain activities, Jiang humorously but firmly states his personal limits, stating that no amount of pressure would make him cross his own boundaries. Not all students have such self-assurance when it comes to the peer pressure associated with hazing.  

Jiang asserts that he would actively intervene to prevent anyone from being placed in an uncomfortable or non-consensual situation during initiations. This stance highlights the potential for peer protection within these environments, despite the somewhat intense group dynamics. 

When describing the most extreme initiation practices he has witnessed at Warwick, Jiang’s examples seem relatively tame compared to reports from other universities. He mentions activities like performing dances, wearing silly costumes, and downing pints – a far cry from the more severe hazing practices reported elsewhere. 

He acknowledges that those unwilling to participate in initiations are often viewed as “spoilsports”, and may be seen as a poor fit for sports societies

Yet, Jiang’s perspective also reveals the potential for social exclusion in these practices. He acknowledges that those unwilling to participate in initiations are often viewed as “spoilsports” and may be seen as a poor fit for sports societies. This observation underscores the complex social dynamics at play in university sports culture – participation in initiations can be seen as a test of one’s commitment to the group. 

Despite these complexities, Jiang maintains that initiations can be both fun and beneficial when conducted responsibly. His view suggests that the key lies in finding the right balance – preserving the bonding and trust-building aspects of these traditions while firmly respecting individual boundaries and consent. 

The practice of university initiations in the UK presents a complex and contentious issue that has evolved significantly since its origins in the 16th century. From the relatively benign ‘saltings’ at Oxford and Cambridge to the extreme and sometimes dangerous practices reported at institutions like Harper Adams, Warwick, and Cardiff, the nature of these rituals has changed dramatically over time. 

The persistence of initiation practices, despite centuries of attempted regulations, underscores the deeply ingrained nature of these traditions in university culture. This resilience poses ongoing challenges for institutions seeking to balance student safety with the perceived benefits of team bonding and tradition. 

Recent events, such as the suspension of Harper Adams University’s rugby team, and the bans implemented at Warwick and Cardiff, highlight the urgent need for universities to address the darker aspects of initiation culture. These incidents have brought to light disturbing practices that go far beyond harmless fun and raise serious concerns about student welfare and the potential for abuse within sports teams and societies. 

However, as evidenced by students like Jiang at Warwick, opinions on initiations remain divided. Some students continue to see value in milder forms of initiations, arguing that they build trust and create shared experiences. This perspective emphasises the importance of consent, personal boundaries, and responsible conduct in maintaining the positive aspects of these traditions. 

Moving forward, universities face the challenging task of enforcing bans on dangerous practices while acknowledging the social and cultural significance of initiations to many students.