8.1.1 Hazing
Hazing by any fraternity, sorority, group, or organization is not allowed at Southwestern College.
The college defines hazing as: Any action or activity taken or situation intentionally created, whether on or off-campus, which produces psychological abuse physical abuse, improper obligations or time restrictions. Consent of pledge does not exempt any organization from this legislation.
Therefore, any instance of physical abuse, psychological abuse, improper obligations, requirements, or time restrictions involving new members (commonly known as pledge/associate members) associated with an obligation for membership shall therefore be understood to be incidents of hazing.
8.1.1.1 Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is understood to be any action taken or situation created which may foreseeably cause pain, injury, or undue physical stress, fatigue, or discomfort. Examples of physical abuse include but are not limited to the following:
- Consumption of alcohol
- Forced or required consumption of non-alcoholic beverages or substances
- Forced or required consumption of spoiled foods, raw onions, goldfish or any unpalatable foods which an individual normally refuses to eat
- Dropping food in mouths
- Calisthenics, such as push-ups, sit-ups, or runs
- Tying individuals to chairs, poles, or other objects
- Simulated or actual branding
- Causing excessive fatigue through physical or psychological shocks, such as forced participation in extreme exercise beyond normal ability
- Paddle swats of any nature, including the trading of swats with activities
- Pushing, shoving, tackling, or any other kind of physical abuse
- Throwing anything, such as whipped cream, garbage, water, paint, etc. at an individual
8.1.1.2 Psychological Abuse
Psychological abuse is understood to be any action taken by a club or organization to create a situation which may foreseeably produce embarrassment, ridicule, harassment, mental or emotional discomfort, or be threatening or frightening in nature.
Examples of psychological abuse include but are not limited to the following:
- Line ups, any form of verbal abuse, or any other activity which serves no constructive purpose
- Deception, prior to the ritual, which is designated to convince a pledge/associate member that the person will be hurt during the ritual ceremony
- Yelling or screaming at pledge/associate member
- Calling pledge/associate member demeaning names
- Any audible harassment
- Any individual or group interrogations of a negative or demeaning nature
- Creating areas that are uncomfortable due to temperature, noise, size, or air quality
8.1.1.3 Meeting and Time Restrictions (General Program Restrictions)
All students at the college are recognized to have academic and collegiate obligations which must be supported by campus groups and activities.
Examples of improperly restrictive time requirements include but are not limited to pre-initiation and initiation periods and are as follows:
- Any activity or requirement which is so time-consuming as to significantly interfere with classwork or study time. This includes but is not limited to pre-initiation and initiation periods.
- Conducting a new member-related activity between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 AM, Sunday through Thursday.
- Permitting less than six continuous hours of sleep for pledges/associate members each night between 12:00 midnight and 9:00 AM.
- Conducting any non-academic pledge/associate member activity within one complete week prior to final examinations each semester.
8.1.1.4 Improper Requirements or Obligations
All membership requirements or obligations must in some way enhance the individual’s emotional, spiritual, or intellectual development. Examples of improper requirements or obligations include but are not limited to the following:
- Endorsing pranks such as panty-raids, harassing another organization, etc.
- Endorsing an activity that violates Federal, State, and/or local laws as well as campus policies or that is objectionable.
- Endorsing an activity which is disruptive to classes or other student areas
- Defacing trees, grounds, buildings, or objects
- Conducting quests, treasure hunts, or little sister hunts that include illegal activity, physical abuse, or psychological abuse.
- Requiring pledge/associate members to march in formations
- Endorsing the wearing of apparel which is not normally in good taste
- Endorsing the pledge/associate members to yell or chant when entering or leaving chapter housing
- Requiring memorizations of non-fraternity related materials
- Not permitting pledge/associate members to talk for extended periods of time
- Endorsing public stunts or buffoonery
- Encouraging pledge/associated members to act like animas or other objects
- Intentionally messing up a room for pledge/associate members to clean
- Encouraging total or partial nudity at any time
- Encouraging pledge/associate members to run personal errands or any other form of personal servitude
- Encouraging pledge/associate members to participate in the act of flouring and/or showering other members
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.