Tulane University Hazing Policy
Hazing includes, but is not limited to, acts of servitude and/or behavior that humiliates, degrades, embarrasses, harasses or ridicules an individual, or otherwise is harmful or potentially harmful to an individual’s physical, emotional, or psychological well-being, as an actual or apparent condition for initial or continued affiliation with any group. A student or organization violates this standard regardless of either the lack of intent to cause harm or the hazed individual’s own willingness to participate. Unless affirmative steps were taken by the responding student or organization to prevent the hazing behavior, conduct charges may be brought against the group, officers of the group, and members of the group who are deemed to have encouraged, witnessed or knew about the behavior, in addition to any conduct action against persons who engaged in the hazing behavior itself.
Tulane's full policy can be found here.
Louisiana Hazing Statute: RS 17:1801 Part III. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 1801.
Any student or organization found responsible for hazing that meets Louisiana statutory definition of hazing will, at a minimum, be suspended from the university, and may face imprisonment up to 5 years and/or fines up to $10,000. Hazing is defined by the state of Louisiana as follows:
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against another when both of the following apply:
(i) The person knew or should have known that such an act endangers the physical health or safety of the other person or causes severe emotional distress.
(ii) The act was associated with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization.
Some activities are easily categorized as hazing, while others are not. Any requirement by a member which:
If you are not sure, consider the following questions:
These qualities should be emphasized in the new member process or membership intake process:
ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ABIDE BY THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT.
The president and new member educator(s)/director of intake shall be responsible for ensuring that the chapter complies with this policy.
A chapter process MUST be in place for prospective, new, or active members to question, or refuse to participate in, any activity. This questioning, or refusal to participate in an activity should not jeopardize his/her goal of initiating into the fraternity or sorority. This process should be shared in writing with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Programs prior to the beginning of the beginning of the New Member/Membership Intake Process.
All alleged violations of the above policies will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
The following are a list of prohibited acts or activities. Other acts or activities that could be considered hazing are not limited to this list.
All chapters are expected to abide by their national guidelines in all areas of recruitment, new member process, and membership intake. Failure to do so may result in a conduct investigation.
Possible sanctions for chapters found in violation, may include, but are not limited to: