Definition of Hazing

Hazing is defined as any action or situation which includes any mental or physical requirement, request or obligation placed upon any person which could cause discomfort, pain, fright, disgrace, injury or which is personally degrading or which violates any federal, state, local statute or University policy. All allegations of hazing will be fully investigated by the appropriate authorities. Any organization, and/or individuals within an organization, found responsible of hazing may face disciplinary action up to and/or including expulsion from the University and/or criminal charges. FranU is committed to a safe and healthy campus for students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Reporting Hazing

Often people haze or tolerate hazing because they do not know if what they are participating in constitutes hazing. If you are unsure, ask yourself these questions:

• Does the activity involve mental distress such as humiliation or intimidation?
• Does it involve physical abuse (e.g., sleep deprivation)?
• Is there a significant risk of injury or a question of safety?
• Would you have any reservations describing the activity to your parents or a university official?
• Is alcohol involved?
• Would you be worried if the activity was shown on the evening news?
• If the answer to any of the above questions is “Yes,” the activity is probably hazing.

If you think you or someone you know is being hazed, REPORT IT. If you witness or suspect hazing, please contact Student Affairs immediately at 225-490-1620 or studentaffairs@franu.edu. You may also report anonymously to Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers at 225-344-STOP (7867).

Signs of Hazing

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.

• Any activity that might bring physical or psychological harm to an individual or animal.
• Any action taken or situation created that may cause pain, injury, excessive physical stress or fatigue including, but not limited to the following: paddling, slapping, tackling, pushing, and exercise that is not part of a reasonable all-organization athletic event.
• All forms of physical activity not part of an organized, voluntary athletic contest, or not specifically directed toward constructive work.
• Requiring members to wear any degrading or uncomfortable garments.
• Depriving members of the opportunity for sufficient sleep (8 hours per day minimum), decent and edible meals or access to means of maintaining body cleanliness.
• Activities that interfere in any way with an individual’s academic efforts, such as causing excessive fatigue, loss of sleep or loss of reasonable study time.
• Activities that interfere with an individual’s employment or family obligations.
• Activities or events that facilitate rapid drinking, drinking games, intoxication or impairment, and forced consumption of both palatable food and, or any other substance.
• Morally degrading or humiliating games or any other activities that make an individual the object of amusement, ridicule or intimidation.
• Kidnaps, road trips, etc., which are conducted in a manner that endangers the health or safety of any person.
• Subjecting an individual to cruel and unusual psychological conditions for any reason.
• Any requirement which compels an individual to participate in any of the above named types of activities, or in any activity which is illegal, perverse, publicly indecent, contrary to the individual’s genuine morals and/or beliefs, excessive fatigue, public profanity, indecent or lewd conduct or sexual gestures in public.
• The use of obscenities and vulgarities in dress, language or action.
• Any form of verbal harassment, any action or situation which subjugates an individual to a condition where he/she might tend to lose self-respect or suffer injury to personal or religious values.

Resources

Hazing Prevention Education

Each student organization as defined in the Max Gruver Act shall provide annually at least one hour of hazing prevention education to all members and prospective members. The education may be provided in person, electronically, or both. For additional information please contact Student Affairs.