Education

Hazing will not be tolerated at Jacksonville State University. Jacksonville State University strictly prohibits hazing in all forms—on or off campus—by both individual students and student organizations. This includes fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, clubs, bands, student government, and any other group where two or more members are enrolled students, regardless of whether the organization is officially recognized by the university.

What is Hazing?

Hazing is defined as any non-accidental, costly aspect of group induction activities that:

Do not serve a legitimate purpose related to group membership or preparation, and/or
Are excessive, dangerous, degrading, or violating university policy or local, state, or federal law—regardless of whether the individual consents.

These activities may be required to gain or maintain membership, status, or leadership within an organization.

Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to:

Violations of law or university policy
Physical harm or risk, such as hitting, paddling, branding, or forced physical exertion
Forced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
Sexual humiliation or misconduct
Sleep deprivation or confinement
Psychological harm, such as extreme embarrassment or mental distress

Legal Consequences

Under Alabama state law, hazing is a criminal offense. Jacksonville State enforces this law and holds individuals and organizations accountable for violations.

Alabama State Law:

Alabama code section 16-1-23. Hazing prohibited; penalty.

Student Code of Conduct

Definition of Hazing

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
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 main, 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 result to such student as defined in this section.
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.
No person shall engage in what is commonly known and recognized as hazing, or encourage, aid or assist any other person thus offending. 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 or her knowledge or any reasonable information within or her 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.

Penalty

Alabama law defines hazing as a Class C misdemeanor in Title 13A.

According to the law, individuals, organizations and institutions found guilty of hazing or knowingly permitting hazing forfeit their entitlement to public funds, scholarships or awards and will lose their approvals granted by the University.

National Hazing Statistics

1.5 million high school students are estimated to experience hazing each year.
📚 Source: Hazing Prevention Network (2025) – hazingpreventionnetwork.org
47% of students arrive at college having already been hazed.
📚 Source: StopHazing.org (2025) – stophazing.org
55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, or organizations report being hazed, but only 1 in 10 recognize it as hazing.
📚 Source: StopHazing.org (2025) – stophazing.org
74% of student-athletes report experiencing at least one form of hazing, with 47% citing drinking games as the most common.
📚 Source: Hazing Prevention Network (2025) – hazingpreventionnetwork.org
71% of students who witnessed hazing said alcohol was involved.
📚 Source: StopHazing.org (2025) – stophazing.org
22% of Americans report having been hazed at some point in their lives, with higher rates among young adults (ages 18–34).
📚 Source: Hazing Prevention Network (2025) – hazingpreventionnetwork.org

New Federal Requirements: Stop Campus Hazing Act

As of December 2024, the Stop Campus Hazing Act requires colleges to:

Track and report hazing incidents in annual security reports
Define hazing as any act that causes or risks harm during group initiation or membership
Publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report starting July 1, 2025

📚 Source: U.S. Congress – Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) – congress.gov

Trusted Resources

StopHazing.org: A leading research and prevention organization offering data, training, and tools for students, parents, and administrators

Hazing Prevention Network: Provides facts, educational resources, and prevention strategies for schools and communities

Congress.gov – Stop Campus Hazing Act: Full text of the federal law mandating hazing transparency and prevention