Hazing
While the University of South Carolina Aiken recognizes the inherent value of student organizations and teams, it condemns any form of hazing practices as requirements for membership, advancement, or continued good standing in organizations. The chance to experience a small community with similar values and interests working together for a common purpose or goal enriches the university experience. No member of our community should be subjected to hazing practices to gain access or maintain access to their desired student experience.
The history of hazing dates back as early as the 1400s. It has pervaded society and has been visible in the military, in fraternities and sororities, in college honor and secret societies, in athletics, and in many student organizations such as marching bands. Recently, it has garnered media attention as it has surfaced in high schools and even middle schools.
Leaders in higher education agree that a new sense of urgency exists and a united effort is needed to aggressively address hazing prevention. This website is offered to create awareness and bring hazing into the open so that it can be addressed. Realizing that unhealthy hazing traditions do not disappear easily, the University of South Carolina Aiken is committed to providing education that will change cultures that support hazing and supporting students who have concerns.
What is Hazing?
Hazing, as defined in South Carolina law (SC 59-101-200), includes “the wrongful striking, laying open hand upon, threatening with violence, or offering to do bodily harm by a superior student to a subordinate student with intent to punish or injure the subordinate student, or other unauthorized treatment by the superior student of a subordinate student of a tyrannical, abusive, shameful, insulting, or humiliating nature.” Acts of hazing only include those acts which are done for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, official or unofficial. Acts of hazing include acts inflicted by an individual onto one or more people.
Resources
There are many resources available for anyone wanting to learn more about hazing as well as appropriate and safe activities for organizations and teams. Hopefully, you may be inspired to help break the tradition and choose bonding activities that promote your organization's values.
Policies
The University of South Carolina Aiken condemns hazing practices. There are various state and local laws and policies regarding hazing that can be found on this page.
Consequences
There are consequences for individuals and organizations involved in hazing activities. It is important to understand how actions impact the individuals being hazed, those conducting the activities, and the organization they belong to.
Reporting Hazing
If you are actively witnessing a hazing incident or emergency situation, please call 911 or University Police at 6111 for on-campus phones and 803-648-4011 for off-campus phones.