Our Commitment to Address Hazing
The University of South Carolina will investigate any known hazing incidents. You can assist our efforts to protect you and your fellow scholars by providing as much detail as possible when reporting an incident. You may feel the instinct to protect your identity, and we will accept anonymous submissions, but bear in mind that officials are much better able to complete an investigation when they are able to identify the source of the report.
- Being forced or coerced to wear odd items of clothing, including dressing out of character (bright hats, fanny packs, etc.)
- Being forced or encouraged to miss class for organization-related obligations (setting up tailgates, for example)
- Being forced to carry unnecessary objects at all times
- Being forced or coerced to drive or be a designated driver
- Withholding initiation dates (i.e., “I don’t know when I’m being initiated.”)
- Silence during class (i.e., not being allowed to speak to others)
- Acts of personal servitude
- Unreasonable interference with a student’s academic performance
- Forced or coerced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs or any other substance
- Forced or coerced exclusion from social contact
- Branding
- Creation of unnecessary fatigue (including but not limited to acts that stem from forced physical activity, such as calisthenics or deprivation of sleep)
- Deprivation of food
- Beating, whipping or paddling in any form
- Line-ups and berating
- Physical and/or psychological shock
- Kidnapping or abandonment
- Any activity that would be viewed by a reasonable person as subjecting any person to embarrassment, degradation or humiliation
- Expectation of participation in activities that are unlawful, lewd or in violation of university policy
Critical Incident Investigation Team (CIIT)
In order to determine the best way to address a hazing incident, a team of caring professionals is appointed to ask students questions in a judgement-free zone.
CIIT Timeline
Day One
An incident is reported and a temporary suspension is issued to the leaders of the
organization.
Day Two - Five
The CIIT will interview the students involved.
Day Six
CIIT issues report findings. The office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
will determine whether or not to pursue a conduct case.