Hazing by any student organization is not allowed at Southwestern College. A student organization is defined as “an organization at an institution of higher education (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 the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.
The college defines hazing as 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:
- is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
- causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including—
- Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
- 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;
- any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
- any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; 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 Prevention Program
Southwestern College is dedicated to fostering a safe and respectful campus environment through proactive hazing prevention and education initiatives. All Registered Student Organization attend a Presidents and Advisors meeting at the beginning of each semester. Hazing policies are reviewed to increase awareness, promote prevention strategies, and empower individuals to recognize, respond, and report hazing behaviors. Student organization presidents and advisors review and sign a hazing agreement. Hazing education is also provided annually to faculty and coaching staff during Campus Security Authority training.
How to Report Allegations of Hazing
Anyone (student, staff, faculty, friend, parent/caregiver, community member) may report concerns about hazing by a student organization (or their members). Reports may be made to any of the following student affairs administrators: Resident Advisor (RA), Residence Director (RD), Apartment Manager (AM), Director of Safety and Security, Director of Campus Life, Director of Residence Life and Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students. Reports will be investigated through the Student Code of Conduct procedures.
Please note: All organizational activities must have a sponsor.
KANSAS HAZING LAW
Kansas law prohibits hazing by a person(s) against a student(s) at an educational institution. Failure to comply with the specific provisions of the law will result in criminal penalties and fines. The following is a brief summary of the hazing law.
Statute 21-3434
Chapter 21—CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
Article 34—CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
21-3434. Promoting or permitting hazing.
(a) No social or fraternal organization shall promote or permit hazing.
(b) Hazing is intentionally coercing, demanding, or encouraging another person to perform as a condition of membership in a social or fraternal organization, any act which could reasonably be expected to result in great bodily harm, disfigurement, or death or which is done in a manner whereby great bodily harm, disfigurement or death could be inflicted.
(c) Promoting or permitting hazing is a class B nonperson misdemeanor.
(d) This section shall be part of and supplemental to the Kansas criminal code.