Hazing Prevention and Response

The Student Code of Conduct defines hazing as:

• "Engaging in hazing of a member or third party for the purpose of initiation into, or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership within an RSO, is strictly prohibited. Hazing includes, but is not limited to any action, activity or situation by which an RSO member intentionally, negligently or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health, welfare or safety of an individual, creates excessive fatigue, consumption of any substance or liquid (including but not limited to alcohol), sleep deprivation, mental or physical discomfort, exposes a person to extreme embarrassment or ridicule, involves personal servitude, destroys or removes public or private property, or implicitly or explicitly interferes with the academic requirements or responsibilities of a student. Apathy, acquiescence or consent to hazing shall not be a defense to this violation."

The Student Code of Conduct applies when an individual student’s conduct is under review for a hazing allegation.

The Student Organization Conduct Code and Process for Discipline defines hazing as:

• "Engaging in hazing of a member or third party for the purpose of initiation into, or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership within an RSO, is strictly prohibited. Hazing includes, but is not limited to any action, activity or situation by which an RSO member intentionally, negligently or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health, welfare or safety of an individual, creates excessive fatigue, consumption of any substance or liquid (including but not limited to alcohol), sleep deprivation, mental or physical discomfort, exposes a person to extreme embarrassment or ridicule, involves personal servitude, destroys or removes public or private property, or implicitly or explicitly interferes with the academic requirements or responsibilities of a student. Apathy, acquiescence or consent to hazing shall not be a defense to this violation."

This definition mirrors the individual student code of conduct. This applies should an organization be under review for a hazing allegation.

As of 2024, Kansas Law states the following in regards to hazing law:

• 21-5418. Hazing.
  (a) Hazing is recklessly coercing, demanding or encouraging another person to perform, as a condition of membership in a social or fraternal organization, any act which could reasonably be expected to result in great bodily harm, disfigurement or death or which is done in a manner whereby great bodily harm, disfigurement or death could be inflicted.
• (b) Hazing is a class B nonperson misdemeanor.

At the end of 2024, the Stop Campus Hazing Act was signed into law.

• This law requires institutions of higher education to report hazing incidents in its annual security report.
• The law defines hazing as:
  • any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that (1) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and (2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the IHE or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.
• Institutions are required to make available information related to relevant policies and laws, how to report incidents, and how an investigation is conducted.
• Institutions are required to provide information regarding relevant awareness and prevention programs related to hazing.
• Lastly, institutions are required to develop a Campus Hazing Transparency Report that summarizes the findings of any recognized student organization that has been found in violation of university hazing policy.

The Student Amnesty policy is intended to encourage students to seek help if facing an emergency, without the fear of being punished for minor policy infractions. This policy will also soon describe amnesty for student organizations.

Should a student or another individual need immediate medical attention or help, students are encouraged to contact 911 immediately.

Read the full policy.