Anti-Hazing Policy
No student or other person associated with Pensacola State College shall engage in any “hazing” activities as that term is described herein below.
As used herein, “hazing” means any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of Pensacola State College. Such term shall include beating, branding, forced calisthenics, or exposure to the elements; forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance; or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual; and, any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual. Any activity as described above upon which the initiation, admission into, or affiliation with a Pensacola State College organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be a “forced” activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.
Any student or other person associated with a College organization who engages in any hazing activity, on or off campus, may be subject to the following penalties, including but not limited to, a fine up to $100, withholding of diploma or transcript pending payment of any fine imposed, and/or disciplinary probation.
If the hazing activities are willful and flagrant violations of this policy and/or if the hazing consists of brutality of a physical nature, the student or other person associated with a College organization who engages in such hazing activities may be suspended or dismissed. Any College organization which authorizes hazing in blatant disregard of this policy may be subject to the following penalties, including but not limited to:
1. Suspension or forfeiture of social privileges;
2. Suspension or forfeiture of representation in student publications;
3. Suspension or forfeiture of representation in intramural or other competitive campus activities; or
4. Suspension of individual members' rights to participate in other campus activities or organizations.
The penalty to be imposed on a College organization, which authorizes hazing in blatant disregard of this policy, will depend upon the facts of each incident. Repeated violation of this policy may result in the suspension or forfeiture of the organization’s campus charter.
Any penalties for violation of the Anti-Hazing Policy shall be in addition to those penalties imposed for violation of any of the criminal laws of the State of Florida or for violation of any other rule promulgated by the College to which the violator may be subject.
Any student or other person associated with a College organization charged with the violation of the Anti-Hazing Policy shall be entitled a hearing and to the same procedural rights as any student accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct.
1. Annually every Registered Student organization advisor shall be given a copy of the Anti-Hazing Policy in the Club Handbook and shall be charged with the responsibility of informing the Registered Student organization members of the adoption of this policy.
2. A representative of the College will meet with each student organization at the beginning of each school year to review, discuss, and answer all questions relating to the Anti-Hazing Policy.
3. Each College organization shall be required to incorporate the Anti-Hazing Policy in its bylaws and to submit a copy of its revised bylaws to the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership.
4. The Anti-Hazing Policy shall be posted in the College Catalog.
5. Any amendment to the Anti-Hazing Policy, rules, or penalties shall be submitted to the State Board of Education for its approval within ten (10) days after the adoption of such amendment.