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Hazing

Hazing
Policy

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Document Number: GREEK--107 Revision #: 3.0
Document Owner: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Date Last Updated: 06/22/2025
Primary Author: Director of Residence Life and Greek Affairs
Date Originally Created: 11/10/2011

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General Description
Description: Policy on hazing in Greek organizations

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Policy Provisions
 

Anti-Hazing Policy

Student Affairs Policies

I. Justification and Statement of Policy

Cumberland University believes in maintaining an environment that recognizes the worth and value of every individual. Every Student should be able to participate in activities and organizations without compromising their health, safety, or welfare.  Therefore, Hazing is unacceptable and a violation of University policy. In addition, it is against federal (Stop Campus Hazing Act) and state law (Tennessee Anti-Hazing Law 49-7-123).  This document outlines the University’s policy against Hazing, reporting mechanisms, investigation of reports, enforcement of violations, and prevention/awareness programs. 

II. Scope

This policy applies to all Students, members of Student Organizations, Athletic Teams, advisors to Student Organizations, and coaches of Athletic Teams.

III. Definitions

  1.  
    1. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report – a report containing statistics of Clery Crimes and certain fire safety statistics for the three most recent calendar years, as well as University policy statements and procedures addressing campus security and fire safety.
    2. Hazing - 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, that:

      a.  is committed in the course of initiation/admission into or maintenance of membership in a Student Organization; and

      b.  violates local, federal, or state criminal law or causes or creates a reasonable risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in Cumberland University activities or the Student Organization’s activities, of physical or psychological injury.

      Examples of Hazing consistent with federal and state law are provided below.  
    3. Student - individuals who have been notified of their admission to Cumberland University and/or who are matriculated, enrolled or registered in any Cumberland academic program or activity.
    4. Student Organization - any organization (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or Student government) in which two or more of the members are Students enrolled at Cumberland University, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by Cumberland University.

IV. Policy

  1.  
    1. General Prohibition and Examples

Hazing is prohibited. Examples of Hazing include, but are not limited to:

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

●causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, 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, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;

●causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts or to endure brutality of a sexual nature;

●any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct or an activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury;

●any activity that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of an individual;

●exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment; and

●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.

Hazing is considered a violation of the Student Expectations and Policy (“Policy”) and will be administered in accordance with the Policy provisions. Consent is not a defense to Hazing. That the conduct was sanctioned or approved by the Student Organization is also not a defense.

For Students, being in the presence of a violation of Hazing without reporting it could be considered a violation of applicable sections of the Policy. For employees, presence without reporting may violate the Standards of Conduct and other applicable policies and lead to discipline, up to and including termination. 

    1. Reporting and Investigation of Hazing

Cumberland University encourages all members of the University community who believe that they have witnessed, experienced, or are aware of conduct that constitutes Hazing in violation of this policy to report the violation to the Dean of Students or Campus Security. Individuals may also make reports through the online Hazing Report Form.  Investigations will occur as outlined in the Policy.

Amnesty: In order to encourage reporting of Hazing, the University will extend amnesty from Student conduct allegations and sanctions to parties and witnesses for minor violations of the alcohol and drugs policies (e.g. underage consumption of alcohol, public intoxication, and possession or ingestion of illegal drugs) for reporting parties, witnesses, or respondents where such disclosures are made in connection with a good faith report or investigation of Hazing or retaliation. This provision does not apply to more serious allegations such as physical abuse of another or illicit drug or alcohol distribution that contributed to the commission of a policy violation.

Retaliation and Interference: The University also considers retaliation against parties and witnesses to be a serious violation and will investigate and hold accountable any Student found to have retaliated against another Student as a result of that Student’s reporting of, or participation in an investigation of, Hazing. Interference in an investigation under this policy by Students or Student Organizations are also subject to sanctions under the Code.

Disciplinary Sanctions: Student Organizations found to be in violation of this policy may face sanctions ranging from a warning to a loss of status as a recognized Student Organization. Individuals found to be in violation of this policy may face sanctions ranging from a warning to dismissal.

    1. Prevention and Awareness Programs

      The University will offer research-informed, campus-wide prevention programming designed to reach all members of the University community which addresses:

      1.  this policy; 
      2.  how to report Hazing;
      3.  information about the University’s Hazing response process;
      4.  any applicable state, local, or tribal law; and
      5.  primary prevention strategies. 

      Requests for training can be made to the Dean of Students Office or the Office of Student Life.
    2. Campus Hazing Transparency Report

      As required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act and the Tennessee Anti-Hazing Law 49-7-123, the University will publicly report, in summary form, findings concerning any recognized Student Organization found to be in violation of the University’s Student Expectations and Policy related to Hazing. Reports of Hazing policies and statistics and of Hazing violations shall also be published in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
    3. Criminal Enforcement
      Hazing is a violation of state law and may lead to criminal or civil penalties.  Depending on the severity of the action, it may be classified as a misdemeanor or felony with monetary penalties for organizations up to $15,000 for each violation. 

V. Related Documents and Forms

Hazing Report Form
Campus Hazing Transparency Report (in development)

 


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Subject Experts
The following may be consulted for additional information.

Dean of Students
Director of Residence Life and Greek Affairs