Hazing Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set forth South Carolina State University’s approach to preventing, reporting, and responding to Hazing and to ensure compliance with applicable laws, with the goal of creating a campus community that is safer and intolerant of Hazing.

Covered Parties

This Policy applies to all members of the South Carolina State University community, including but not limited to students, staff, faculty, members of student groups, athletic teams, volunteers, and affiliates.

Defined Terms

Hazing

• Hazingincludes physical brutality; physical activity; creating mental or physical discomfort; activity that subjects the student to embarrassment or mental stress; activity that subjects the student to unreasonable risk of harm or ridicule; or any action or inaction, on or off campus, that is requested of a student to be a member of an official or unofficial University-affiliated organization. A student may also be found in violation of this Hazing policy for having firsthand knowledge of hazing and failing to report in a timely manner. Consent is not a defense and shall not reduce sanctions. Hazing also includes the forced consumption of food or drinks, interference with scholastic activities, and personal favors.
  • Non-exclusive examples of hazing include whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation or rest or extended isolation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity, causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, beverage, alcohol, liquor, drugs, or other substances, causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts, any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct, branding, exposure to the weather, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of a person, or which subjects a person to extreme mental stress.
  • By law, a person cannot consent to Hazing.
  • For purposes of this policy, the prohibition on Hazing includes a prohibition on Retaliation is defined in this section.

Hazing Violation

• When a Covered Party or Student Organization is found to have committed Hazing.

Student Organization

• Student Organizations are groups in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at South Carolina State University, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution. This includes organizations registered with the Student Affairs Office, as well as Student Organizations that are not registered with the Student Affairs Office, student groups, student teams, student organizations that are permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities, or are known by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group. Student Organizations at South Carolina State University include, but are not limited to, the SCSU Band, all South Carolina State University athletics teams, which includes varsity athletics and club sports programs and teams, fraternities, sororities, clubs, and student government, as examples.

Retaliation

• Retaliation is any negative or adverse action taken against an individual because they reported, participated in, or refused to participate in a Hazing investigation or proceeding. Retaliation is prohibited under South Carolina State University policy.

University Policy

South Carolina State University is committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment for our community, including students, staff, and faculty, to socialize, create networks, and enjoy common experiences. Community members should not be subject to Hazing in connection with their initiation in, affiliation with, or participation or membership in a group, club, opportunity, or student organization. Community members should also not be subject to Retaliation in connection with reporting Hazing, participating in a Hazing investigation or proceeding, or refusing to participate in a Hazing investigation or proceeding.

I. Hazing

South Carolina State University strictly prohibits all forms of Hazing, and Hazing is also prohibited by South Carolina and federal law. No Covered Parties shall engage in Hazing or be a participant in Hazing.

II. Reporting Requirements

If a member of the University community knows that a student is being hazed, is directed by another to haze someone, witnesses an act of Hazing, or they are made aware of Hazing at or within the South Carolina State University community, they are required to report it to the University.

A. Process for Reporting Hazing

1. Emergency Reporting

If the Hazing is life threatening, dangerous, violent, or otherwise poses risk of harm, immediately:

·       Contact the South Carolina State University Police at (803) 536-7188 if you are on campus; or
·       Call 911 or local law enforcement authorities if you are off campus.

After fulfilling the Emergency Reporting obligations outlined above, you must also report the same incident of Hazing to the VP for Student Affairs, Dr. Tamara Jeffries (thughes@scsu.edu, (803) 536-8103).

2. Non-Emergency Reporting
For Hazing that does not constitute an emergency, please contact the VP for Student Affairs, Dr. Tamara Jeffries (thughes@scsu.edu, (803) 536-8103). Your report can be anonymous[NB1] .

3. Sex-Based Discrimination Reporting
For incidents involving sex-based discrimination, including sexual assault/harassment, please contact the Title IX Coordinator, Mr. Hayden Erwin (equalopportunity@scsu.edu, (803) 596-1816)[NB2] .

III. Notice Requirements

A. Student Organizations

1. At the time of registration, or on an annual basis, the president or leadership of each student organization shall receive a copy of the law and will be required to sign a statement acknowledging that they have received such copy of the law, that they shall distribute a copy of this law to every member, plebe, pledge, or applicant for membership of the student organization, and that the student organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this law.

2 This statement will be kept in the student organization’s permanent file in the corresponding responsible office.

3. The responsible office shall provide copies of the law to each student organization when (1) the student organization registers for the year, and (2) throughout the year as necessary to ensure that the organization can comply with its responsibilities under South Carolina law.

IV. Investigations

The University office or offices responsible for investigating incidents of Hazing will depend upon the individual or individuals involved, and whether they are students, staff, faculty, or other South Carolina State University community members. However, in general, the University Office responsible for Disciplinary Action (as identified in Section VI of this Policy) is the Office primarily responsible for investigation of the Hazing, and they would follow the investigation procedures followed by their office.

A. Hazing Involving Students

For incidents of Hazing involving students, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Equal Opportunity, or a designee will investigate in accordance with the procedures outlined by those offices or their applicable designee.

B. Hazing Involving Staff

For incidents of Hazing involving staff, the Division of Student Affairs will forward the report to Human Resources for investigation. Staff conduct is governed by the policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.

C. Hazing Involving Faculty

For incidents of Hazing involving faculty, the Division of Student Affairs will forward the report to the University Provost for investigation.
Faculty conduct is governed by the policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.

For any incidents of Hazing that may involve criminal conduct, the South Carolina State University Police Department will be notified as appropriate so they may investigate the matter.

V. Disciplinary Action

• Covered Parties and Student Organizations that have been found to have violated this Policy may be subject to disciplinary action by South Carolina State University, law enforcement agencies, and, if applicable, any organizational governing body.
• South Carolina State University will notify the appropriate law enforcement agency (typically the University Police) when a report of hazing is received. University Police will assess the report for criminal violations in conjunction with the appropriate criminal justice agencies.
• The Division of Student Affairs, or designee, shall coordinate the investigation of hazing allegations when student(s), Student Organizations, and/or student groups are involved. When appropriate, the Office of Equal Opportunity, Human Resources, and/or the Division of Academic Affairs may handle certain aspects of the investigation or response.
• Every reasonable effort will be made to complete the investigation in a timely manner.
• Any national or local oversight organization presiding over the Student Organization(s) at issue will be notified of all allegations pertaining to the respective Student Organization(s). If a formal conduct charge is made against a Student Organization, the national or local oversight organization, if any, shall be notified.

A. Sanctions

• • • Violators may be subject to civil or criminal penalties for violating this policy
    • Violators found responsible for violating this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, termination of employment, or permanent removal from campus.

B. Recordkeeping

• • • Records related to compliance with this Policy must be retained for 5 calendar years.

VI. Interim Supportive Measures

All formal reports of alleged Hazing, regardless of whether the complainant chooses to pursue resolution through the University’s process, will be investigated, and steps will be taken to provide support to the complainant. This support may include taking appropriate interim action prior to completion of the investigation and conclusion of the University’s process.

Interim measures may include a “No Contact Order” serving as notice to the Student Organization or its members that they must not have verbal, electronic, or written communication with one another or with student(s) seeking membership. Interim measures may also include modification of students’ academic schedules, employment arrangements, and an order to cease and desist all activities of the Student Organization being investigated. Failure to comply with interim measures may result in an individual(s) or a Student Organization(s) being charged with additional disciplinary violations.