Hazing activities are prohibited by both the University of South Alabama and Alabama Code Section 16-1-23. The term “hazing” means any act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of an individual, or which results in the destruction or removal of public or private property, causes physical or psychological discomfort, embarrassment or humiliation, for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in an organization regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate in the activity.
Examples of activities falling within the definition of hazing include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Striking pledges by any method.
- Physical activity that causes excessive fatigue or fear.
- Depriving pledges of sleep (minimum six hours uninterrupted per night), decent meals, or the opportunity to maintain bodily cleanliness (uninterrupted and private).
- Scavenger hunts, road trips, quests, treasure hunts, abandonment or kidnapping. This restriction on road trips cannot be skirted by having the pledges meet at a certain location.
- Morally degrading or humiliating games or activities.
- Requiring pledges to consume alcohol, drugs or revolting substances such as, but not limited to, salt water, excessive amounts of water, raw eggs or meats, onion or garlic.
- Jeopardizing academic performance by depriving pledges of reasonable study time or prohibiting pledges from completing any requirement necessary to achieve academic success.
- Requiring or encouraging pledges to participate in any activity that is illegal, immoral, contrary to the individual’s religious beliefs, indecent or perverse, such as theft, vandalism, public profanity, lewd conduct or public nudity.
- Any willful action taken or situation created whether on or off any University or other education premises, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any student.
- Forcing pledges to wear blindfolds during any pledging activity.
- Depriving pledges of immediate access to any prescribed medications.
Aiding or abetting any violation of this Code. The terms “aiding and abetting” mean to incite, assist, or encourage in the violation of University policy.