Hazing Policy

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The resources listed on this page provide additional information that can further assist our A-State community on the topic of hazing.

DEFINITION & EXAMPLES OF HAZING

A-STATE STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT

The A-State Standards of Student Conduct's definition of hazing applies to all registered organizations, intercollegiate athletic teams, social fraternities and sororities, and other groups (e.g., academic organizations):

"Any mental or physical requirement, request or obligation placed upon any person that could intentionally or unintentionally cause discomfort, pain, fright, disgrace, injury or which is personally degrading for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in, a group or organization.  A person’s expressed or implied consent to hazing does not negate the above standards."

ARKANSAS STATE DEFINITIONS AND PENALTIES

Arkansas State Hazing Law

According to Arkansas State Law § 6-5-203, Penalties:

(a) The offense of hazing is a Class B misdemeanor

(b) Upon conviction of any student of the offense of hazing, he shall, in addition to any punishment imposed by the court, be expelled from the school, college, university, or other educational institution he is attending.

EXAMPLES OF HAZING

Hazing can be subtle, harassing, or violent in nature. It can manifest itself in the form of physical violence, forced physical activities, or psychological and/or emotional harm, which can be violations of law. Although it is impossible to list all possible hazing behaviors because many are context-specific, the list below provides some common examples of hazing behaviors. It is important to note, however, that these categories do not negate nor lessen an allegation of hazing. Regardless of category, hazing is hazing and is not welcome at A-State.

“Subtle” Hazing

“Subtle” hazing refers to activities that are often taken for granted or accepted as “harmless” or meaningless. There is an emphasis placed on a power imbalance between new members and other members of the organization, thus leading to activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect, and place new members on the receiving end of ridicule or embarrassment. New members often feel the need to endure subtle hazing to feel like part of the organization. Examples may include:

  • Requiring new members to perform unnecessary duties not assigned to existing members
  • Required calisthenics such as sit-ups or push-ups, or other forms of physical exercise
  • Sleep deprivation
  • The assignment of meaningless and sometimes impossible tasks
  • Required “greeting” of members in a specific manner when seen on campus
  • Required carrying of certain items
  • Required walking in groups to class, the cafeteria, etc.
  • Restriction of communication
“Harassment” Hazing

“Harassment” hazing confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress for new members. This behavior has the potential to cause emotional anguish and/or physical discomfort.(Note: Some types of harassment hazing can also be considered violent hazing.) Examples may include: 

  • Yelling or screaming
  • Personal servitude or chores
  • Lineups for the purpose of interrogating, demeaning, or intimidating
  • Wearing of embarrassing or uncomfortable clothing
  • Assigning pranks such as stealing, painting objects, or harassing other organizations
  • Forced confinement, oftentimes involving very loud music and/or the repetition of a specific song
  • Being dropped off somewhere and forced to find the way back
“Violent” Hazing

“Violent” hazing is behavior that has the potential to cause physical, emotional, and/or psychological harm. It often includes activities that tend to be the most extreme types of hazing. Examples may include: 

  • Capturing or kidnapping
  • Total or partial nudity
  • Compelled sexual activity
  • Pushing, shoving, tackling, or any other physical contact
  • Forced consumption of any liquid or food, often involving alcohol and/or gross food combinations
  • Paddling or whipping
  • Branding, cutting, labeling, or shaving parts of the body

Adapted from The University of Texas at Austin

STILL UNSURE IF IT IS HAZING? ASK YOURSELF...

  • Would I feel uncomfortable participating in this activity if my family were watching?
  • Would a University administrator disapprove of this activity?
  • Am I being asked to keep these activities a secret?
  • Am I doing anything illegal?
  • Does participation in an activity violate my values or those of my organization?
  • Is it causing emotional distress or stress of any kind to me or others?

If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, please make a report.

 

Confidential Hazing Report

If you feel you or another person are experiencing/has experienced hazing, please file a confidential report here.
File a ReportContact Student Conduct

Myths About Hazing

Often, people believe it is difficult to determine what constitutes hazing and will even advocate that hazing helps an organization build better members. We have included below some common myths and facts to help individuals more clearly understand the issue of hazing.

Reality: Hazing is a societal problem. Hazing incidents have been frequently documented in the military, athletic teams, marching bands, religious groups, professional schools and other types of clubs and/or organizations. Reports of hazing activities in high schools are on the rise.

Reality: Occasionally there are new members who say they want to be hazed. But generally, the majority do not want to be humiliated, intimidated, or physically abused. “Wanting” to be hazed usually indicates a desire for a challenging experience. It is not necessary to haze new members in order to challenge them in healthy and developmental ways.

Reality: Even if there is no malicious “intent,” safety and unhealthy experiences will likely remain a factor in hazing activities that are considered to be “all in good fun.” Such activities do not serve in promoting true growth and development of group team members. 

Reality: This is the most frequent argument used by hazers and hazing organizations. The outcomes may seem to work, but there are underlying consequences. Think about how tragedy affects a group—the experience may bring individuals together but many are left silently suffering from its effects. More commonly, hazing builds underlying animosity between people and does nothing to foster trust, unity or respect. It simply creates better hazers.

While holding new members accountable is important, there are effective ways to do so without hazing. Effective parents, teachers, and bosses all know ways to hold others accountable without humiliating, degrading or physically hurting them. Chapter and organizational officers can work with Fraternity and Sorority Programs staff, A-State Faculty & Staff, and the volunteers and staff of a national organization to develop programs that hold new members accountable without hazing them.

Reality: In states that have laws against hazing, consent of the victim cannot be used as a defense in a civil suit. Even if someone agrees to participate in a potentially hazardous action, it may not be true consent when considering the peer pressure and desire that is inevitably present to belong to the group.

Arkansas is a state that has indicated that consent cannot be used in a defense. 

Reality: It’s not difficult to decide if an activity is hazing if you use common sense and closely follow the official national/local policy guiding an organization's membership education process. If you can’t figure it out, ask a University staff member's opinion and/or view the FAQ portion of this site for a list of questions to ask yourself.

(Above Myths Adapted from Death By Hazing; Sigma Alpha Epsilon. 1988)

Reality:University staff and students have an obligation to report and act on information regarding hazing. If no action has been taken, people do not know it is happening. It is important to confidentially alert the appropriate officials of any hazing concerns as soon a possible.

Reality: “Tradition” does not justify subjecting new members to abuse. Traditions are created by groups, and groups hold the power to change or eliminate them. It only takes one year/one new member cycle to break a hazing tradition. Remember that the founding members of organizations were not hazed and would not have condoned such behavior. One member class can break the "tradition" of hazing- it just takes some courage and integrity to do what is right. 

In hazing organizations, the hazing will likely grow increasingly more severe every year unless there is an intervention. The individuals before you probably did not have to do what you are doing.

Reality:Hazing is NOT necessary to join any group. If the argument were true, it would be required by the national organizations. The common experiences of "pledging"/joining an organization is what brings a group together—NOT the type of experiences.

Reality: It is a common assumption that everyone hazes or all other groups haze. This is obviously false. Most groups that claim they do not haze, in fact, do not haze. Organizations that ignore or avoid the issue during recruitment likely have something to hide and are afraid to admit that they do haze.

A positive, new member education program will result in both a stronger, all-around organization and the ability to attract the best new members. Being able to recruit the best students for membership is what will earn the respect of other groups.

Reality: Many group members may not approve of hazing but go along with the activity because they mistakenly believe everyone else agrees with the behavior. This bystander behavior helps to perpetuate hazing. The strongest supporters of hazing are often the most vocal, destructive, uninvolved, and dominant members.

Local Resources:
  • File an A-State Confidential Hazing Report 
  • A-State University Police Department: 870-972-2093
  • A-State Dean of Students/Leadership Center/Fraternity & Sorority Life: 870-972-2055
  • A-State Office of Student Conduct: 870-972-2034 
National Resources:
  • HazingPrevention.org
    HazingPrevention.org is a leading national organization dedicated to providing current information related to hazing and hazing prevention to individuals and organizations. Resources offered on their website include, information about what you can do, links to videos, personal stories, newsletters, and National Hazing Prevention Week initiatives.
  • StopHazing.org
    StopHazing.org provides accurate, up-to-date hazing information for students, parents, and educators and a list of hazing laws by state. It includes informative articles on hazing in various contexts, including high schools, the military, athletic teams, and fraternities and sororities. The website also provides information about the National Study of Student Hazing and the Hazing Prevention Consortium, a multi-year research-to-practice initiative led by StopHazing to build an evidence base for hazing prevention on college campuses in the U.S. and beyond.
  • Greek Anti-Hazing Hotline
  • The Greek Anti-Hazing Hotline, established in 2007, by a consortium of national fraternities and sororities, is currently sponsored by 47 national and international Greek organizations. This hotline and website offers opportunities to file hazing reports directly with a fraternity's or sorority's inter/national office.

Parent Information

Each year tens of thousands of young men and women get involved at schools and organizations across the country. Whether it’s a marching band, fraternity, sorority, military affiliated group, summer camp, athletic team, or any of the dozens of other student groups, your student is seeking a place to make friends, enjoy social opportunities, practice leadership skills or just try something new.

The majority of student organizations and teams provide amazing, positive experiences for their members. However, some organizations engage in negative behaviors known as hazing – acts of humiliation or demeaning tasks meant to ‘prove’ an individual’s commitment and worthiness to joining a group.

Hazing has existed for centuries, and schools and colleges are going to great lengths to prevent it. It is important for you and your student to educate yourself to prevent or report any hazing that does occur.

Hazing comes in many forms and definitions may vary, but it is generally agreed that hazing is any action taken, or situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule, risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group or team whether new or not, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.

The legal definition may vary from state to state but trust your common sense. Here are a number of activities that may be considered hazing by A-State or an organization:

  • Activities meant to ‘earn’ a place within an organization or team that seem inconsistent with someone’s character or values
  • Activities that are embarrassing or mentally/physically abusive
  • Forced or coerced abuse of alcohol
  • Personal servitude or meaningless tasks

Many times students may not identify these activities as hazing. In fact, 9 out of 10 students who have experienced it do not consider themselves to have been hazed. If you question the value, safety, or potential negative impact of an activity, then you have the right to express concern and ask questions.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR STUDENT BEFORE HE OR SHE JOINS AN ORGANIZATION OR TEAM
  • What activities do you think you want to be involved in at school?
  • Do you know what hazing is?
  • How can you stand up or say ‘no’ if it occurs?
  • What are resources online or at school you can utilize if you experience hazing?
  • Do you know your school’s policies on hazing and consequences if caught?
  • Do you know how to report hazing?
QUESTIONS TO ASK AFTER INVOLVEMENT BEGINS
  • What organizations or teams are you involved in?
  • How much time are you spending on the organization or team?
  • What kinds of activities are involved in joining this group or team? Are you comfortable with all of these? Is there adult supervision and/or approval of these activities? How often and what times are you being asked to be present at these new member activities/meetings? 
  • What are you learning in your new member meetings?
  • Is alcohol involved in any of these activities?
  • Have you met the organization’s advisor or coach? Do they approve of these activities?

Your student may or may not feel comfortable expressing concern directly to you if being hazed. Here are some key things to look for that might help you identify whether or not your student may be experiencing hazing:

  • Sudden change in behavior or attitude after joining the organization or team
  • Wanting to leave the organization or team with no real explanation
  • Sudden abnormal decrease in communication with friends and family
  • Physical or psychological exhaustion
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Unexplained injuries or illness
  • Change in sleeping or eating habits
  • Withdrawal from normal activities
  • Expressed feeling of sadness or feeling of worthlessness
  • Increase in secrecy and unwillingness to share details

Talk to your student if you see any of these signs. If your conversations leave you with unresolved concern or direct suspicion of hazing, then you need to take your concerns higher. You may file a confidential hazing report and/or contact one of the resources listed below to express your concerns to the appropriate official:

  • File an A-State Confidential Hazing Report 
  • Inter/National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-668-4293 (NOT-HAZE)
  • A-State Dean of Students/Leadership Center/Fraternity & Sorority Life: 870-972-2055 
  • A-State University Police Department: 870-972-2093
  • A-State Office of Student Conduct: 870-972-2034 

You can expect an official to have a confidential discussion with you before launching an investigation into the organization’s activities. In most cases your student’s name will not be used, unless he or she comes forward and files a complaint. It will be important to share as much detailed information as possible in order to best help an investigation. 

There are positive ways for organizations and teams to build loyalty and a sense of belonging. But many times they need the support of advisors, coaches and you to make the positive change. Your actions can help promote strong student organizations and teams, creating a positive experience for every student.

Adapted from What Parents Need to Know; hazingprevention.org