COP : Anti-Hazing/Hazing Prevention

Purpose Statement

In compliance with Federal and State Guidelines, the purpose of this College Operating Procedure (COP) is to prevent, identify, document, and respond to hazing and hazing-related misconduct in compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act. This COP establishes standardized processes for education, reporting, investigation, recordkeeping, and accountability to promote student safety, protect individual rights, and ensure institutional transparency. 

Guidelines

I. Introduction

At Florida SouthWestern State College, we are committed to creating a campus where every student feels safe, supported, and respected. As part of that commitment, we are complying with the

Stop Campus Hazing Act. Any form of hazing is strictly prohibited at FSW.

II. Definition

The term 'hazing', for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents under paragraph (l)(F)(iv), means any any intentional, knowing, or reckless action taken by one person or a group against another person, whether or not the person agrees to participate, which meet both or all of the following conditions:

Connection to a Student Organization

The action occurs as part of:

• Joining a student organization,

• Being affiliated with a student organization, or

• Maintaining membership in a student organization.

Risk of Harm Beyond Normal Participation
The action causes or creates a reasonable risk of causing physical or psychological harm that goes beyond what is normally expected in college life or organizational participation.

This includes behaviors that may result in:

• Physical injury

• Emotional or psychological harm

• Significant discomfort, stress, or fear

A person’s willingness or consent to participate does not make the behavior acceptable or allowed. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• 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.

Definition of a Registered Student Organization: A student-led group recognized by FSW, consisting of at least five current FSW students, two of which act as executive leadership, and an FSW faculty or staff advisor, formed around shared interests or goals.

Definition of a Student Organization: Any organization at an institution of higher education—including, but not limited to, a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity or sorority, band, or student government—in which two or more members are students currently enrolled at the institution. This definition applies regardless of whether the organization is formally established, registered, or recognized by the institution.

Procedures

• Scope and Applicability
  All allegations of hazing shall be investigated and, if substantiated and meets the preponderance of evidence standard, processed through the College conduct process. This rule applies to all students and all student organizations, including acts carried out by non-students acting on behalf of or in association with any student organization.

• Student Accountability
  Individual students found responsible for hazing shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, including but not limited to disciplinary probation, suspension, and dismissal.

• Organizational Accountability
  Any student organization accused of hazing shall be subject to immediate investigation and any disciplinary action resulting from the findings.

• Criminal Referral
  Any student, College employee, or community member found responsible for hazing may be referred for criminal investigation when applicable, and if a report involves potential criminal activity, the FSW Campus Police and appropriate local law enforcement agencies will be notified.

• Prevention and Compliance
  All student organizations must include the College’s anti-hazing rule in their bylaws. Organization advisors and members are required to complete hazing-prevention training.

• Notice and Publication
  The College shall publish and have available anti-hazing statements, associated violations, investigations, and sanctions, in the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.