Hazing Taxonomy of Sanctions

The chart below illustrates the general relationship with the type of hazing and level of sanctions for individuals and organizations. There are four types of hazing that range in their level of severity. Each organization and individual has a sanction corresponding to the severity type of each hazing offence. The more severe the offense is the more severe the sanction is for the organization and individual. Level of sanctions may vary based on facts and circumstances of any offense. Repeated and/or aggravating factors may increase the Level of sanctioning for each Type.

Types of Hazing

Hazing spans a range of behaviors, with some being less visible and occurring more frequent, while others are more visible and occur less frequent. It is important to understand that all forms of hazing should be promptly addressed and prevented to establish a healthy University community. The following sets of examples are not all inclusive and are simply provided as a general guide. Allegations of hazing will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and nothing in this site is binding on or is meant to limit the discretion of University officials to properly assess and respond to hazing. Misconduct may be identified as one type of hazing in this site, but, based on the circumstance, may be classified in a higher or lower type when a case is assessed and/or sanctions delivered. For more details, please refer to the Code of Student Conduct, which formally governs the conduct process.

Type 1: Subtle/Intimidation

Activities or behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new members of the group, team, or organization. “Subtle hazing” refers to types of hazing that are often not recognized as harmful behaviors but happen far more frequently. Subtle hazing typically involves activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect and place new members on the receiving end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics. New members often feel the need to endure subtle hazing to feel like part of the group or team. Some types of subtle hazing may also be considered harassment hazing.

Examples:

• Deception (lies, tricks, dishonesty)
• Assigning demerits
• Demeaning names
• Denied Privileges
• Social Isolation
• Silence periods with implied threats for violation
• Line-ups, drills, or tests on meaningless information
• Expecting certain items to always be in one’s possession
• Expecting one to wear certain clothing items
• Deprivation of privileges granted to other members

Type 2: Harassment/Harm to well-being

Behaviors that cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort in order to feel like part of the group. Harassment hazing confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress for new members/rookies. Some types of harassment hazing can also be considered violent hazing.

Examples:

• Verbal abuse
• Threats or implied threats
• Asking new members to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire
• Stunt or skit nights with degrading, crude, or humiliating acts
• Expecting new members/rookies to perform personal service to other members such as carrying books, running errands, cooking, cleaning, etc.
• Sleep deprivation
• Sexual simulations
• Expecting new members/rookies to be deprived of maintaining a normal schedule of bodily cleanliness
• Be expected to harass others
• Interference with academic pursuits

Type 3: Violence

Behaviors that have the potential to cause physical and/or emotional or psychological harm.

Examples:

• Forced or coerced alcohol or other drug consumption
• Forced or coerced consumption of items not made for human consumption
• Forced or coerced consumption of foods in excess
• Forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances or concoctions
• Beating, paddling, or other forms of physical assault
• Branding
• Water intoxication
• Expecting abuse or mistreatment of animals
• Public nudity, to include implied nudity
• Expecting/requiring illegal activity
• Bondage
• Abductions/kidnaps
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions without appropriate protections

Type 4: Aggravated/Repeated

Behaviors that are considered aggravated include acts that would constitute hate crimes, are pervasive, and/or severe. Repeated hazing violations are considered aggravated hazing regardless of the type of hazing.

Levels of Sanctions

Sanctions may vary based on facts and circumstances of any offense. Sanctions typically progress in nature and include the possibility of more severe disciplinary action if misconduct is repeated. However, if appropriate under the circumstances, nothing in this site prevents the University from assessing significant sanctions (e.g., Level 4) to an individual or organization for a first offense if the misconduct warrants them.

Organization Sanctions

Inter/National Issued Sanctions – The University respects the working relationship with the inter/national organizations and typically accepts any sanctions they issue as part of the sanctions issued by the University.

Education Assessment – Funds received are used to provide hazing educational programs for the University community.

Level 1

• University Warning
• Loss of Privileges to include:
• Social Events: Loss of next social event (excluding new member events)
• Executive Member Education
• New Member Class Education
• Organization Meeting to discuss the incident and implications
• Inter/National Issued Sanctions
• Education Assessment – $5 per member

Level 2

• University Warning
• Loss of Privileges to include:
• Social Events: Loss of social events (excluding new member events)
• Organization Block Seating (2 Games)
• Participation in University Events as an Organization (Homecoming, Intramural Sports, etc.)
• Hazing Prevention Team Education Organization Program
• Organization Improvement Coaching with Administrative Liaison
• Organization Meeting to discuss the incident and implications
• Inter/National Issued Sanctions
• Education Assessment – $10 per member

Level 3

• University Probation (Semester/Year)
• Loss of Privileges to include:
• Social Events: Remainder of the semester social events (excluding new member events)
• Organization Block Seating
• Participation in University Events as an Organization (Homecoming, Intramural Sports, etc.)
• University Funding
• Hazing Prevention Team Education Organization Program
• Organization Improvement Coaching with Administrative Liaison
• Harm and Risk Reduction Committee
• Review of Organization Operational Procedures
• Possible removal of Organization Officers
• Organization Meeting to discuss the incident and implications
• Co-Sponsor Hazing Speaker
• Inter/National Issued Sanctions
• Education Assessment – $15 per member

Level 4

• University Suspension
• Develop MOU return plan with Inter/National Organization

Individual Sanctions