University of North Carolina-Charlotte Hazing Policy

Type: Policy

Status: Last Revised on 9/13/99

Source File: http://www.legal.uncc.edu/policies/ps-83.html

Text:

POLICY STATEMENT #83
HAZING

The University prohibits any form of hazing of its students, at any time, or at any location on or off campus, including fraternity houses, private residences, or public property. The University will respond swiftly to investigate reports of hazing received from any source, and will promptly determine whether to proceed with campus disciplinary action, to forward a report to appropriate law enforcement officials for prosecution as a criminal matter, or both. University students who voluntarily consent to hazing, as well as those who inflict it, are subject to such action.

Hazing is defined as causing or permitting a person, incident to initiation into or membership in a society, club, athletic team, or similar organized group, to participate in any activity that subjects or is likely to subject that person or others to risks of physical injury, mental distress, or personal indignities of a highly offensive nature, whether or not such person has consented to participation in the activity. Specific activities that constitute hazing include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Forced consumption of alcohol or forced ingestion of any other substance;

2. Forced calisthenics, push-ups, sit-ups, runs, or other physical contests;

3. Paddling or other physical assault or brutality;

4. Transportation and abandonment;

5. Line-ups with verbal or physical harassment;

6. Morally degrading or humiliating games or activities;

7. Forced sleep deprivation;

8. Wearing or carrying of any obscene or physically burdensome article;

9. Assignment of pranks to be performed;

10. Yelling or cursing at new members.

A faculty member, staff member, or student who observes the physical or psychological abuse or intentional public embarrassment of any person or persons who may be UNC Charlotte students should immediately report the matter to the Office of the Dean of Students, King Building, ext. 2375, or to the Office of Campus Police. Those offices are charged to take appropriate action to respond to such a report.

Students who know, or suspect, that hazing has taken place are strongly encouraged to report it to the Dean of Students Office. Employees of the University are required to report such information.

Where hazing is alleged or suspected, the Dean of Students, in conjunction with Campus Police, shall conduct a thorough investigation of the facts surrounding the incident. When the investigation produces evidence that hazing activity may be a violation of criminal law or a violation of campus disciplinary standards, the following steps are to be taken.

1. Campus Police will report the facts uncovered in the investigation to law enforcement officials of the appropriate jurisdiction for prosecution as a criminal matter.

2. Campus disciplinary procedures will be initiated, regardless of whether criminal prosecution occurs. The Dean of Students may immediately refer the matter to the campus disciplinary process, or may defer referral until the outcome of the criminal proceedings has been reported. Sanctions which may be imposed through the campus disciplinary procedures include indefinite suspension from the University. Regardless of the sanction imposed by campus disciplinary proceedings, if conviction of a criminal offense of hazing occurs, the student will be expelled from the University, as is required by state law.

3. If the hazing appears to have occurred in connection with any club or organization, the Dean of Students Office will notify the regional and national offices of the organization in which the alleged hazing occurred and may request them to conduct an independent investigation of the incident. The Dean of Students may share any information gained through the University investigation with these offices, except that which is legally protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The Dean of Students will also notify the local advisor of the organization of the allegations and the progress of the investigation.