Number
03.03.01
Division
Student Affairs - Dean of Students
Date
October 2014, updated August 2, 2022
Purpose
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (“the University”) is committed to maintaining a supportive, educational environment that seeks to enhance the well-being of all members of its community. This commitment reflects the institution’s adherence to its mission, to its various policies supporting its mission, and to relevant state and federal laws. Consistent with that commitment, the University prohibits any and all forms of hazing of its students. This policy applies to all students and all student organizations.
Policy

“Hazing” is defined by Section 16-1-23, Code of Alabama (1975) 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.
  4. No person shall engage in what is commonly known and recognized as hazing, or encourage, aid, or assist any other person thus offending.
  5. 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.
  6. Any person who shall commit the offense of hazing shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor as defined by Title 13A.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.

In addition to Section 16-1-23, Code of Alabama (1975), hazing is additionally defined by The University of Alabama in Huntsville as any act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student; or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization. The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this rule.

Some examples of prohibited behavior include, but are not limited to, forced consumption of any liquid or solid substance, paddling, creation of fatigue, physical shocks, degrading or humiliating games, acts of servitude, physical harassment, branding, public stunts, and forced tattoos.

Procedure

Individuals who know or suspect that hazing has taken place are required to report hazing to the appropriate university official. Alabama has a “Duty to Report” clause in its anti-hazing statute making it illegal to be aware of hazing and failing to report.

To report hazing, please provide specific information regarding the specifics of the hazing incident to any of the following:

The University of Alabama in Huntsville Police Department 256-824-6596 or 256-824-6911 (in case of emergency).

The Dean of Students Office 256-824-6700 or submit a Charger 360 at https://www.uah.edu/charger360

Review
The Office of Student Life and the Dean of Students are responsible for the review of this policy every five years (or whenever circumstances require).
Hazing Policy