Hazing Information & Resources

Code of Student Organization Conduct – Hazing

Organizations, teams, and their members are prohibited from aiding, abetting, inciting, organizing, approving, or otherwise participating in any behavior that would constitute a violation of the University Hazing policy. For this policy, “approving or otherwise participating in” includes observation or a reasonable knowledge of hazing activities by individuals who can intervene but fail to do so. This includes condoning or awareness of planned hazing activities regardless of their participation. If the University becomes aware of planned hazing events before the event, organizations may still be held responsible even if the University is successful in stopping the behavior.

Hazing is any action taken or situation created, intentionally, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Use of alcohol
• Paddling in any form
• Creation of excessive fatigue
• Physical and psychological shocks
• Quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities
• The wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste
• Engaging in public stunts and buffoonery
• Morally degrading or humiliating games and activities

Any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, policy and regulations of Drury University, or applicable State, Tribal, or Federal law.

Missouri law classifies hazing as a Class A misdemeanor, unless the act creates a substantial risk to the life of the student or prospective member, in which case it is a Class D Felony. As of January 1, 2017, under state law, consent is not a defense. Read the Missouri statute regarding hazing: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=578.365&bid=30145

Failure by a group or organization’s executive officers to intervene to prevent, discourage, and/or report hazing of which they are aware or reasonably should be aware also will be deemed a violation of this policy.

Participation, cooperation, or willingness of the students to participate in the act, subject to this provision, is not an excuse for the violation.

Faculty and Staff found to have condoned, supported, encouraged, or otherwise tolerated Hazing as defined by the Code will be subject to disciplinary action under the Faculty Handbook or Employee Handbook, as appropriate.

Reporting Acts of Hazing

All Drury University employees have a duty to report hazing to a university administrator or staff member when they receive a report, witness, or otherwise obtain information about alleged incidents. Exemptions are made for professional staff members operating in a capacity that requires confidentiality. Students are encouraged to report hazing to one of the following individuals who have been designated to receive reports:

Dr. Tijuana Julian
Executive Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Findlay Student Center, 201
(417) 873-7215
tjulian@drury.edu

Nyla Milleson
Vice President and Director of Athletics
O’Reilly Family Event Center, 106
(417) 873-7294
nmilleson@drury.edu

Emma Grace Mancini
Director of Greek Life
Findlay Student Center, 112
(417) 873-7590
emancini@drury.edu

Drury University professionals take great care to protect the identities of students who make hazing reports. However, students may also report incidents anonymously at www.drury.edu/informationreport. Employees may not fulfill their reporting obligation with this anonymous mechanism.

Amnesty

Due to the strong relationship between hazing and other policy violations, individuals who report hazing will be granted amnesty for most other violations of university policy to encourage students to report without fear of being penalized for policy violations. Amnesty cannot be granted for any conduct that has harmed or has the potential to harm the mental, physical, or emotional state of others, including, but not limited to, sexual misconduct and assault.

Hazing Categories

Drury University uses the following classifications in discussing and sanctioning incidents of hazing:

• Subtle Hazing – Behaviors that emphasize or accentuate a power imbalance between students or groups in a negative manner. Examples include deception; assigning demerits; silence periods with implied repercussions; deprivation of privileges; requiring students to perform duties not assigned to other students; social isolation; random tests of information; name-calling; or the expectation of certain items to always be in a student’s possession.
• Harassment Hazing – Behaviors that confuse, frustrate, and/or cause undue stress to some members. Examples include verbal abuse; threats or implied threats; line-ups; asking students to wear humiliating attire; stunt or skit events with degrading, crude, or humiliating acts; personal servitude for existing students and sleep deprivation.
• Violent Hazing – Behaviors that have the potential to cause physical and/or emotional harm. Examples include forced or coerced alcohol, drug, or food consumption; beating, paddling, or other physical acts; branding; force or coerced ingestion of substances; water intoxication; expecting illegal activity; abductions; and kidnapping.

Sanctions and Outcomes

Funds received from the Student Government may not be used to pay for organizational misconduct costs

• Educational Outcome – requirement to complete a multi-session anti-hazing program. All costs associated with the program are the responsibility of the organization, club, or team. A minimum level of attendance will be set ahead of time, and must be satisfied to complete this sanction
• Social & Campus Probation – organizations, clubs, or teams will be prohibited from organizing socially or holding any campus events for a minimum of one semester
• Withdrawal of Recognition – when a student organization, club, or team has been found in violation of Violent Hazing or multiple incidents of subtle harassment, the University may withdraw recognition of that group for a specified amount of time.