Employee: All University employees, including faculty, adjuncts, staff, graduate assistants/associates, and student workers, whether full-time, part-time, under contract, permanent, or temporary.
Hazing: Any intentional, knowing, reckless, or negligent act committed against a Student, regardless of the Student’s apparent consent, in connection with joining, maintaining, or advancing membership in an organization, that creates or contributes to a risk of harm. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Physical assaults (whipping, beating, striking, shocking, or harmful substances applied to the body).
- Sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, or extreme physical activity.
- Forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances.
- Interference with academics.
- Coerced sexual acts or simulations.
- Personal servitude.
- Humiliation or intimidation.
- Line-ups or interrogations unrelated to legitimate educational purposes.
- Abuse of authority.
- Kidnapping, false imprisonment, or other criminal acts.
- Acts requiring violations of the University Code of Conduct or law.
Note: This list does not and cannot encompass every circumstance that will cause the University to discipline a Student, Organization or Employee for Hazing. Actual physical harm is not required for an action to be found to be Hazing. Actual harm is not required for conduct to be hazing. Consent is not a defense.
Organization: Any group affiliated with the University whose membership consists primarily of Students, including athletic teams, clubs, student government, fraternities, sororities, ensembles, and similar groups. Organizations include but are not limited to programs, activities, [KD1] associations, clubs, cooperatives, corps, orders, and societies such as an athletic team, club sports team, band, ensemble, choral group, or orchestra, student government, fraternity, sorority, or another similar group.
Student: Any person who is enrolled at the University, any person who has been accepted for enrollment at the University, any person who intends to enroll at the University within the next twelve (12) calendar months, or any person who meets the definition of “Student” for the purpose of the University Student Code of Conduct. A person who meets the definition of “Student” under this Policy shall continue to be defined as a Student until the person is enrolled, graduates, transfers, or withdraws from the University. This definition applies specifically to this policy.
Contractor: An individual or organization providing goods or services to the University under contract.
Volunteer: An individual who freely offers services without compensation to support the University’s activities and mission.
Hazing includes any act that threatens or inflicts physical, emotional, or psychological pressure or injury on an individual, or that purposely humiliates, demeans, degrades, or disgraces an individual. Hazing is prohibited by the University’s Code of Student Conduct and is a crime in the State of South Carolina under South Carolina Code 16-3-510.
No individual shall directly engage in hazing or indirectly encourage, aid, or assist any other person in hazing. All students and University representatives, including employees, must immediately report known or suspected hazing violations as directed herein.
An individual (whether individually or in concert with other person(s)) commits hazing by intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently causing, coercing or forcing another individual regardless of the apparent willingness or consent of such other individual to engage in or endure any of the acts listed below under the definition of hazing for the purpose of pre-initiation or pre-pledgeing activities, pledging, initiating, holding office, admitting or affiliating into or with an organization or for the purpose of continuing, reinstating, or enhancing an individual's association, participation, membership or status with an Organization.
Exceptions: This policy does not prohibit:
- Customary University-sponsored athletic events, contests, or competitions;
- Activities or conduct furthering the goals of a legitimate educational curriculum, extracurricular program, or military training program;
- Rights protected under the U.S. Constitution or other federal law;
- University-sanctioned academic research involving human subjects.
Reporting
Anyone who believes they have witnessed or experienced hazing, or who is aware of a potential hazing incident, should report the matter immediately. All faculty, staff, volunteers and independent contractors are mandatory reporters of hazing. Reports can be made to:
- The Office of the Dean of Students: 864-596-9016
- Title IX Coordinator: titleix@converse.edu
- Human Resources: hr@converse.edu
- Campus Safety: 864-596-9026 or via email at campussafety@converse.edu
- Online Confidential Reporting: https://converse.guardianconduct.com/incident-reporting/new
Converse University takes all reports of hazing seriously. Reports will remain confidential to the extent required by law.
Investigative Process
When a hazing incident is reported, the University will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation led and/or coordinated by the Student Conduct office to include (as relevant) interviews of potentially involved parties, social media reviews, camera footage reviews, and other means of gathering information;
- Collaborate with organization national headquarters, campus security authorities, and/or local law enforcement as necessary;
- Provide appropriate interim measures, resources, and support for affected individuals; and
- Hold individuals and/or organizations at the university found responsible accountable pursuant to the Code of Student Conduct, the Student Organizations Handbook, Athletics Policies and procedures, policy manuals and/or other University policies as applicable.
- Note: When the conduct of employees is under investigation, Human Resources will be notified and participate in the process.
Annual Reporting and Transparency
To comply with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Converse will disclose all hazing incidents reported to campus security authorities or local law enforcement in its Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report will include:
- Policies regarding hazing, including procedures for reporting, investigating, and responding to incidents;
- A description of hazing prevention and awareness programs offered by the University;
- A Campus Hazing Transparency Report, summarizing findings from investigations involving any student organization found to have violated hazing policies; and
- Such other information as may be required by law or regulation.
Sanctions
- Students: Sanctions may include probation, suspension, expulsion, degree revocation, restricted access, interim measures, and educational interventions.
- Organizations: Sanctions may include suspension or revocation of recognition, denial of registration, and loss of privileges.
- Employees: Any employee found to be knowledgeable about hazing who did not report it to their supervisor and/or any of the persons or organizations set forth above under the heading REPORTING HAZING, or who played any active role in facilitating or participating in hazing, will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action which may include written warnings, reprimands, suspension, demotion, probation, dismissal and/or referral for criminal prosecution under state law.
Retaliation
Any organization, individual student, or employee who retaliates against anyone for reporting hazing, cooperating with an investigation, or otherwise participating in enforcement of this policy is also subject to all the applicable sanctions set forth in this policy.
Converse University seeks to promote a safe environment where all community members may participate in activities and organizations without compromising their health, safety, or welfare. Hazing can result in harm to victims, their families, and the University community; therefore, Converse strictly prohibits hazing.
This policy defines hazing and outlines the procedures for reporting and addressing hazing.
This policy applies to all Converse University Students, Employees, and Organizations.
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Original Version