Hazing

Hazing was once seen as an activity that affected a very specific group of students, members of fraternities and sororities on college campuses. Recent information indicates that hazing is a larger problem that goes beyond Greek letter organizations and could impact students as early as the beginning of high school. It is important to increase awareness and become educated about hazing and how to address it.

Louisiana Law defines Hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against another when both of the following apply:

• The person knew or should have known that such an act endangers the physical health or safety of the other person or causes severe emotional distress.

• The act was associated with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in or maintaining membership in any organization.

Hazing includes but is not limited to any of the following acts associated with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization:

• Physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, paddling, striking, branding, electric shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.

• Physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, or calisthenics, that subjects the other person to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual or causes severe emotional distress.  

• Activity involving consumption of food, liquid, or any other substance, including but not limited to, an alcoholic beverage or drug, that subjects the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual or causes severe emotional distress.

• Activity that induces, causes, or requires an individual to perform a duty or task that involves the commission of a crime or an act of hazing.

Below are some considerations for determining if an activity constitutes hazing:  

• Is the activity an educational experience?
• Does this activity promote and conform to the ideals and values of the organization or group?
• Will this activity increase the individual’s respect for the organization or group?  
• Is it an activity that the organization or group members participate in together?  
• Would you be willing to allow parents or University officials to witness this activity?
• Does the activity have value in and of itself?

What individuals and groups may consider to be a perfectly harmless way of making students learn their lesson in education, may, in the view of others, be an act that can be criminal. The danger in hazing is that it gets out of hand. What begins as an innocent prank can lead to disaster.

Student organizations and groups at Southeastern Louisiana University are expected to be responsible community members and should seek alternative options that focus on the positive aspects of being involved on campus.  These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Campus Involvement – encourage group members to get involved with other campus organizations or groups

• Community Service or Philanthropic Events that involve the whole group or membership (not just new members)

• Wellness Activities (Intramurals, Group Classes at Pennington Student Activity Center)

• Team building exercises such as retreats, sporting events, or obstacle courses

• Mentoring

• Leadership training that focuses on ethical leadership and positive group bonding

• Attending campus or community events together.

Ultimately, hazing is a community issue with ripple effects beyond the immediate groups or settings where it occurs. Hazing is a type of abuse that can interfere with the ability of children, young adults, and adults to thrive as learners and as leaders, whether they’re in school, in a job, or a part of any type of group or organization. Each member of any organization or group has a responsibility to make a difference by being informed about hazing and committing to hazing prevention.

Southeastern is committed to eliminating hazing in all its forms. The University expects all students and members of student organizations to uphold the highest standards of personal and group conduct, both on campus and in any off-campus setting where university-affiliated activities take place. This includes social events, retreats, travel, service activities, and any gathering associated with a student organization.

The University’s Task Force is made up of students, staff, and faculty who work to change attitudes and behavior to end hazing by ensuring education, compliance, and transparency while promoting positive behaviors that strengthen the campus community.

• Each new student is provided educational information on the dangers of and prohibition on Hazing during the new student orientation process in the form of a handbook.
• Each new student is provided educational information on the dangers of and prohibition on Hazing during the new student orientation process, either in person or electronically.

• The University provides annually at least two hours of hazing prevention education that includes education relative to the applicable hazing policies to all members, prospective members, and anyone who is employed by or volunteers with any student organization. The course is provided via Canvas LMS.
• Each recognized student organization will provide an attestation signed by both the organization president and the advisor confirming that all members have satisfied the annual hazing education requirements.

On-campus Hazing prevention programming occurs throughout the year to provide students with the skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to hazing. The University may require additional participation in specific hazing prevention programming, including scheduled presentations. Organizations may be required to ensure a minimum participation rate in such programs. Educational events occur throughout National Hazing Prevention Week each September, as well as additional events such as Mocktails and the Spring Hazing Prevention Speaker series. Additionally, students can request workshops and consultations anytime for their organization through the Office for Student Engagement.

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) amends section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act, otherwise known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). Notably, the bill also changes the name of the Clery Act to the “Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act”, representing the Act’s evolution in addressing broad campus safety needs.

Read H.R.5646 – Stop Campus Hazing Act

The University includes statistics for hazing incidents that were reported to campus security authorities or local law enforcement, as defined by SCHA, in our annual security reports.

The University has a hazing policy with information on how to make a report of hazing and the process used to investigate hazing incidents. Our policy addresses hazing prevention and awareness programs, which include a description of research-informed campus-wide prevention programs and primary prevention strategies.

Campus Hazing Transparency Report: The University compiles and publishes a hazing transparency report that summarizes findings concerning any student organization found to be in violation of the our standards of conduct related to hazing. The report includes:

• The name of the student organization;
• A general description of the violation that resulted in a finding of responsibility; and
• Related dates (the date of the alleged incident, the date of the initiation of the investigation, the date the investigation ended with a finding, and the date the institution provided notice to the organization of the finding).

If you are being hazed or know someone in your student group or organization who is hazing or being hazed there are a number of reporting options and campus resources.

• www.stophazing.org
• University Counseling Center
  985-549-3894
  [email protected]
• The Clery Center