ANTI-HAZING POLICY
Fraternity and sorority organizations are unique in that they require all those wishing to join their ranks to go through a formal New Member Education period of several weeks duration during which the prospective members must participate in an educational or developmental program. The procedures set forth in the Anti-Hazing policy (HOP 5.5.2 [C.21]) are intended to assure that the requirements made of prospective members during their pledging period contributes to the development of the individual and organization. Each fraternity and sorority organization must sign the appropriate compliance form and return to the OSD.
If you have any questions regarding this process, do not hesitate to contact OSD or refer to HOP Section: 5.6.1: Recognition and Approval of Student Organizations .
(Cited from the OSD 2007-2008 Student Organization Handbook)
Hazing: What is it?
In addition to the statutory definition of hazing, hazing is also defined at the University as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization. Hazing includes, but is not limited to:
- any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity;
- any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other activity that subject the student to unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
- any activity involving the consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug or other substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
- any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation, that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourage the student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or the institution rather than submit to acts described in this subdivision; and
- any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code. The fact that a person consented to or acquiesced in a hazing activity is not a defense to prosecution.
