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Definitions

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Definition

Breaking down the federal definition of hazing

Under the Act, “hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate.

The Act must:
  • be committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization;

and

  • cause or create a risk of physical or psychological injury that is above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), 

physical and psychological injury include:

Physical

whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;

Deprivation & Exposure

causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;

Consumption

causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;

Sexual

causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;

Fear

any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;

Illegal

any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and

Forced Criminality

any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

It does NOT matter if the organization is recognized by the institution!

Definition

How does SCHA Define a student organization?

Under the Act, “student organization” means an organization at an institution of higher education in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

Examples include:
  • Clubs
  • Societies
  • Associations
  • Varsity or Junior Varsity Athletics Teams
  • Club Sports Teams
  • Fraternities
  • Sororities
  • Bands
  • Student Government

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