hazing info

 

An Open Letter to the LSUS Community

 

Hazing is a serious public health concern. Hazing causes significant harm to individual students, student groups, and the University. StopHazing.org reports three in five college students experience hazing across a range of student organizations. Hazing results in significant injury and death. Not only does hazing result in significant impact on the health individual students, it can also have lasting and negative impact on the health and well-being of the campus community. It is avoidable and LSUS commits to implementing proactive initiatives to guide the campus community in promoting a positive, safe campus environment. LSUS offers Hazing Prevention 101: It’s Everybody’s Responsibility, an online educational and prevention platform, to all students.

There are alternatives. Unfortunately, students participate in unacceptable or risky activities through a distorted sense that doing so will help them belong or feel a part of the group. As leaders, you have a responsibility to care about your fellow students and provide opportunities that foster personal growth, well-being, and pride in the organization. There are activities designed to achieve a positive outcome and a sense of belonging, while avoiding the risks of hazing. Be creative in your efforts and offer multiple events or activities throughout the year for students to get to know each other, develop a sense of the group's identity, and have fun! For example, consider:

  • Serving meals once a week to the homeless community
  • Volunteering at the LSUS Food Pantry
  • Holding formal initiation rites that have a quality of solemnity
  • Inviting alumni to address new members during initiation
  • Participating in athletic or intramural competitions

You can intervene. A healthy campus environment is everyone's responsibility. All campus members can make a difference by intervening or speaking up when they see someone at risk. Referred to as bystander intervention, there are actions you can take to keep your friends and others safe. Action requires you to recognize potential dangers, to accept your responsibility to intervene, as well as to act appropriately. Follow these brief guidelines and take responsible steps to support or prevent potential harm:

*As adapted from Darley and Latane, 1968

 

LSUS Code of Student Conduct addresses hazing. The University will hold students accountable for violations of hazing policies.

The Code defines hazing (10.2 L) and provides broad descriptions of several forms of behavioral misconduct that may be relevant to hazing. For example, the Code addresses coercive behavior, endangerment, harassment, offensive behavior, and safety.

To encourage students to make responsible decisions, the university recognizes the need for amnesty from university sanctions in certain situations. Amnesty under this policy, when granted, excuses a student or registered student organization from university sanctions under the Code of Student Conduct. Amnesty is intended to encourage action when an emergency situation is present. It is not intended to excuse any student or organization causing the emergency situation or unsafe condition. The decision to grant amnesty for violations of the Code of Student Conduct will be determined as provided in Section 3.4 of the Code of Student Conduct on a case-by-case basis.

 LSUS provides these additional resources to the campus community.

Reporting Hazing

  •          The elimination of hazing on our campus begins with reporting. It is your responsibility to report hazing at the moment you become aware of its occurrence.
  •          This form allows anyone to anonymously report hazing.
  •          It is vital that all known information is reported including the names of suspects, victims, witnesses, date, time, and location of the incident are all crucial in the investigation of hazing complaints.

 

 

For assistance

  • Campus Police; 318-455-5497 or 911
  • Dean of Students; ADM 208; 318-797-5116
  • RAVE Guardian app - Download the LSUS Guardian app (via the Apple App Store or Google Play)
  • National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)

Legislative Guidance

Handouts

Related Policies

Counseling Services: Administrative Building, Room 230, 318-797-5365

Community Resources

  • Al-Anon General Information, 318-344-0212 (for family/friends of those with addiction)
  • Alcoholics Anonymous, 318-865-2172
  • Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, 318-222-8511 (Information and treatment for adults and children)
  • NW Regional Center for Addictive Disorders 318-632-2040 (Information and treatment for adults and children)
  • North Louisiana Area Narcotics Anonymous 800-339-3723 (24 hour helpline)
  • The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline is a 24-hour-a-day, confidential, and free tobacco cessation helpline. The Quitline links individuals who want to quit using tobacco with trained tobacco cessation specialists who help to create an individualized plan to quit. There is no better time than now! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit quitwithusla.org.

Dean of Students