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Regulations & Policies

Student Affairs

I. STATEMENT OF REGULATION

Actions or situations which by design or intent amount to hazing are prohibited and shall be prevented and adjudicated by the University whenever possible. This regulation shall apply to acts conducted on- or off-campus property, whenever such acts are deemed to constitute hazing.  Students, University employees, student organizations, and individuals associated with student organizations, such as club advisors, chapter advisors, volunteers, and coaches, are subject to this regulation.

II. DEFINITIONS

A. Hazing: The term “hazing” for the purposes of this regulation means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act or situation that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another person, committed by a person against another person regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate that is committed:

1. In the course of initiation into any student organization;
2. For admission into any student organization;
3. For affiliation with any student organization;
4. In maintenance, perpetuation, or furtherance of a tradition or ritual of any student organization

Furthermore, hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act or situation that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another person that causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the student organization, of physical or psychological injury.  Hazing includes, but is not limited to:

1. Whipping, beating, branding, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity; 
2. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the person, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or forced exclusion from social contact, or other similar activity;
3. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing activities that conflict or interfere with a student’s academic performance;
4. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
5. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts or acts of personal servitude;
6. Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
7. Any activity against another person that includes a violation of the Student Code of Conduct or criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; or
8. Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Student Code of Conduct or criminal violation local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

It is not a defense to hazing that:

1. The consent of the victim had been obtained
2. The conduct or activity that resulted in the death or injury of a person was not part of an official organization event or was not otherwise sanctioned or approved by the organization; or
3. The conduct or activity that resulted in death or injury of the person was not done as a condition of membership to an organization; or
4. The conduct or activity that resulted in death or injury of the person was done after the individual was admitted as a member to an organization.

The term “hazing” does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.

B. Student Organization: The term “student organization,” for the purposes of this regulation, means an organization at the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution. This includes, but is not limited to, a club, society, association, athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, ROTC, band, or student government.

III. STATEMENT OF PROCEDURES

1.  Reporting Required. Any person having knowledge of any activity or situation which may constitute hazing shall contact the Office of the Dean of Students, the University Police Department, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Athletics Director, the Office of the Dean of the College in which the club or, course or organization is housed, or the Office of the Provost. Actions to enforce the University’s prohibition against hazing shall be conducted pursuant to the Student Conduct Code. 
2. Investigation and Adjudication.  - Actions to enforce the University’s prohibition against hazing shall be conducted pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct for adjudication of hazing incidents and assignment of penalties.
   1. In conjunction with the Student Code of Conduct, special procedures related to investigating allegations of hazing may include the following:
      1. If deemed appropriate by the Provost or designee, the organization may be placed on interim measures during the investigation process.
      2. The assigned investigator will develop a plan and coordinate with campus stakeholders.
      3. The organization will be notified via the identified president’s ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ email of an open investigation regarding the hazing allegations.
      4. The investigation may include outreach to all identified members of the organization.
      5. The assigned investigator will compile all statements and documentation into an investigative report to be reviewed by the Dean of Students.
3. Penalties.  Possible penalties for violation of this regulation are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, regardless of whether the violation occurred on- or off- campus and shall be in addition to any other penalty to which a student or group may be subject for violations of the criminal laws of Florida or any other applicable University regulation or policy. Individuals subject to University jurisdiction found responsible of hazing violations may receive penalties including the withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with the regulation or completion of community service, or other educational sanctions, and the imposition of reprimand, probation, suspension, dismissal, or expulsion, depending upon the severity of the violation.
   1. Student organizations including fraternities and sororities found responsible for hazing may be penalized by revocation of permission for the organization to be registered, to meet on campus and to use campus facilities, operate on University property or to otherwise operate under the sanction of the University.
4. Amnesty.  In compliance with the Medical Amnesty Policy and with “Andrew’s Law,”  a person who was present at an event where, as a result of hazing, a person appears to be in need of immediate medical assistance, who is the first person to call 911 or the University Police Department for and obtains such medical assistance, provides their name and the address at which medical assistance is needed, renders medical aid, remains on the scene with the person until such medical assistance arrives, and cooperates with the responders will not be charged with a violation of this regulation.
5. Distribution and Incorporation of Regulation. Copies of this regulation, and any policies concerning violations, penalties, and process for enforcement will be provided to students enrolled in the University and shall be referenced/incorporated in the bylaws of every organization operating under the sanction of the University.

Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1092(f), 1006.63 F.S., FLBOG Reg. 6.021.

History: New 05/16/04: Amended 5/16/07; Amended 10/21/14; Amended October 17, 2019; Amended  June 25, 2025.

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