What is Hazing?
Hazing Prevention network defines hazing as:
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed against another person(s) regardless of their willingness to participate that (1) is committed in the course of initiation, affiliation, or maintenance of membership in a student organization; and (2) creates a risk of physical or psychological injury, such as whipping, beating, striking, sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, sexual acts, activities that put someone in reasonable fear of bodily harm, or engagement in criminal violations of local, state, tribal, or federal law.
Samford Anti-Hazing Policy
Samford University does not condone any form of hazing, and students and student organizations involved in hazing are subject to university disciplinary sanctions. The University has accepted and approved the following anti-hazing policy, as stated in the Samford Student Handbook under Students Rights and Responsibilities.
Hazing is a criminal offense in the state of Alabama. Insurance does not cover a felonious act. Penalties for hazing are very severe.
Alabama Hazing Law ALA CODE § 16-1-23:
(a) Hazing is defined as follows:
(1) Any willful action taken or situation created, whether on or off any school, college, university, or other educational premises, which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any student, or
(2) Any willful act on or off any school, college, university, or other educational premises by any person alone or acting with others in striking, beating, bruising, or maiming; or seriously offering, threatening, or attempting to strike, beat, bruise, or maim, or to do or seriously offer, threaten, or attempt to do physical violence to any student of any such educational institution or any assault upon any such students made for the purpose of committing any of the acts, or producing any of the results to such student as defined in this section.
(3) The term hazing as defined in this section does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization. The term hazing does not include corporal punishment administered by officials or employees of public schools when in accordance with policies adopted by local boards of education.
(b) No person shall engage in what is commonly known and recognized as hazing, or encourage, aid, or assist any other person thus offending.
(c) No person shall knowingly permit, encourage, aid, or assist any person in committing the offense of hazing, or willfully acquiesce in the commission of such offense, or fail to report promptly his knowledge or any reasonable information within his knowledge of the presence and practice of hazing in this state to the chief executive officer of the appropriate school, college, university, or other educational institution in this state. Any act of omission or commission shall be deemed hazing under the provisions of this section.
(d) Any person who shall commit the offense of hazing shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor as defined by Title 13A.
(e) Any person who participates in the hazing of another, or any organization associated with a school, college, university, or other educational institution in this state which knowingly permits hazing to be conducted by its members or by others subject to its direction or control, shall forfeit any entitlement to public funds, scholarships, or awards which are enjoyed by him or by it and shall be deprived of any sanction or approval granted by the school, college, university, or other educational institution.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed as in any manner affecting or repealing any law of this state respecting homicide, or murder, manslaughter, assault with intent to murder, or aggravated assault.
What do you do if you or someone you know has been hazed or is involved in hazing?
Emergency Reporting
If someone is injured, in danger of being injured or doing something illegal, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait, this action could save someone’s life. Read Lianne Kowiak’s story.
Non-Emergency Reporting
- Honor Code Incident Report Form
- The Student Affairs Office (a.k.a. Office of Student Conduct, Vice President of Student Affairs, Office of Greek Life.)
- Campus Security or University Police
- College President’s Office
- Student Health
Other Ways to Report Hazing
- Contact local law enforcement. Hazing is a crime in many states. Even in states that do not have a specific law prohibiting hazing, many components of hazing (assault, etc.) are crimes.
- Call the anti-hazing hotline or use the form below for anonymous reporting.
Anyone concerned about hazing can report it by calling the Anti-Hazing Hotline: 888-668-4293 (888-NOT-HAZE).
About the Anti-Hazing Hotline
The Anti-Hazing Hotline accepts anonymous hazing reports from anyone. The hotline was established in 2007 by a consortium of national fraternities and sororities. It is currently sponsored by 47 national and international Greek organizations.
The Hotline provides an anonymous telephone line for anyone to report a suspected or recent hazing incident to one number 888-NOT-HAZE (888-668-4293) that accepts calls 24 hours a day. The Hotline connects to a dedicated voice mailbox at Manley Burke, LPA. The calls are automatically saved as audio files, which are transmitted by e-mail to the headquarters of the fraternity or sorority named in the report.
This is true whether or not the reports are about one of the sponsors or another organization. In some instances, reports are about athletic teams, bands, or clubs. When those calls are received, the institution where the organization is located is contacted.
In addition to the toll-free telephone number, reports may be online via this form. Just as with the phone calls, all messages are directed to Manley Burke, LPA. The reports are then forwarded to the national organization named in the report. To report known or suspected hazing, click here. Please clearly identify the organization and university that you are reporting.
Stop Campus Hazing Act
Signed into federal law in December 2024, the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) contains several new provisions to update university reporting on hazing incidents that occur on college campuses. While some of the reporting requirements would update existing campus reporting structures, such as the annual security reports required by the Clery Act, other requirements in the bill are new for institutions of higher education.
Samford Hazing Violations
No Violations
