Anti-Hazing and Transparency Reporting

The purpose of this policy is to ensure compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) and to uphold the University of South Alabama’s commitment to creating a safe and respectful campus environment. This policy outlines the definitions, prevention strategies, reporting procedures, and compliance measures related to hazing at the University of South Alabama.

This policy applies to all enrolled students, faculty, staff, student organizations, appointed student boards, NCAA athletic teams, bands, and ambassador programs, located either at the University General Division or USA Health. 

Hazing activities are prohibited by the University of South Alabama, Alabama Code Section 16-1-23 and federal law. Examples of activities falling within the definition of hazing when it occurs between members of the same student group, include, but are not limited to:

 

Academic Jeopardy: Jeopardizing academic performance by depriving a member or aspiring member of reasonable study time or prohibiting them from completing any requirement necessary to achieve academic success.

 

Blindfolding: Forcing a member or aspiring member to wear blindfolds during any activity.

 

Dangerous Activities: Requiring members or aspiring members to complete scavenger hunts, road trips, quests, treasure hunts, abandonment, or kidnapping. This restriction on road trips cannot be skirted by having the member or new member meet at a certain location.

 

Deprivation: Depriving a member or aspiring member of sleep (minimum six hours uninterrupted per night), decent meals, or the opportunity to maintain bodily cleanliness (uninterrupted and private).

 

Endangerment: Any willful action taken or situation created, whether on or off University premises, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any member or aspiring member.

Excessive Physical Activity: Demanding a member or aspiring member to complete physical activity that causes excessive fatigue or fear.

 

Humiliating Activities: Requiring members or aspiring members to complete morally degrading or humiliating games or activities.

 

Illegal or Immoral Conduct: Requiring or encouraging a member or aspiring member’s participation in any activity that is illegal, immoral, contrary to the individual’s religious beliefs, indecent, or perverse, such as theft, vandalism, public profanity, lewd conduct, or public nudity.

 

Medication Deprivation: Depriving a member or aspiring member of access to any prescribed medications.

 

Psychological/Mental Health: Any activity that causes or has the potential to cause mental, emotional, or psychological harm, distress, or intimidation to an individual, including activities that are likely to shame, humiliate, belittle, or degrade an individual, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.

 

Striking: Physically striking another member or an aspiring member of the same student group.

 

Substance Abuse: Requiring or encouraging a member or aspiring member to consume alcohol, drugs, or revolting substances, such as salt water, excessive amounts of water, raw eggs, meats, onion, or garlic.

• • The name of the student organization;
  • A description of the violation;
  • Whether there was use or presence of alcohol or controlled substances;
  • The University’s conclusions, sanctions imposed, and relevant dates.

• • Definitions of hazing;
  • Reporting mechanisms;
  • Hazing policies, state and federal laws;
  • Prevention strategies.

• The University’s online reporting system.
• Contacting the Office of Student Conduct, Student Involvement, Campus Police or a Campus Security Authority (CSA).
• Contacting the International/National Headquarters of the implicated student organization.

Alleged violations of this policy will be subject to the procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct for investigation, determination and possible sanctions. Individuals or student organizations found responsible for violations of this policy will be subject to disciplinary actions.