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542  Hazing

Approved by The President
Effective Date: February 19, 2026
Responsible Division: Student Affairs
Responsible Office: Dean of Students’ Office
Responsible Officer: Dean of Students through University Discipline and Rules Committee

I. Purpose

This policy outlines requirements under the Stop Campus Hazing Act (Act). In accordance with this Act, Â鶹ÊÓƵ (MTSU or University) reiterates its prohibition on hazing from the Student Code of Conduct, provides information on how to report incidents of hazing, and outlines the Campus Hazing Transparency Report.

II. Definitions

1. Hazing. Hazing, as defined in T.C.A. § 49-7-123(a)(1), means any intentional or reckless act, on or off the property, of any higher education institution by an individual acting alone, or with others, which is directed against any other person(s) that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that person(s), or which induces or coerces a person(s) to endanger such person(s) mental or physical health or safety. Hazing 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.
2. Student Groups. For purposes of this policy, a Student Group is any group in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at MTSU, whether or not the group is established or recognized by MTSU. Examples of Student Groups include:
   1. under Policy 560 Student Organization and Recognition;
   2. Unofficial student groups;
   3. University Athletics Teams;
   4. Band of Blue;

III. Prohibited Activities

This policy prohibits hazing by any member of a Student Group, including students, employees, and contractors.

IV. Definitions

1. Prevention and Awareness
   1. The University will maintain resources on its website [final policy to include link once website is established] for hazing prevention and hazing resources.
   2. The Office of Student Care and Conduct will work to maintain awareness of what constitutes hazing, how to report it, and strategies to promote group cohesion without hazing.
   3. University Athletics and Greek Affairs will inform athletics teams, fraternities, and sororities at the beginning of each school year of the University’s policies prohibiting hazing.
2. Filing a Report. Any student can file a report hazing through the Office of Student Care and Conduct’s reporting system. Students can also report hazing to a University employee he or she feels most comfortable reporting to, including:

1. Prevention and Awareness
   1. The University will maintain resources on its website [final policy to include link once website is established] for hazing prevention and hazing resources.
   2. The Office of Student Care and Conduct will work to maintain awareness of what constitutes hazing, how to report it, and strategies to promote group cohesion without hazing.
   3. University Athletics and Greek Affairs will inform athletics teams, fraternities, and sororities at the beginning of each school year of the University’s policies prohibiting hazing.
2. Filing a Report. Any student can file a report hazing through the Office of Student Care and Conduct’s reporting system. Students can also report hazing to a University employee he or she feels most comfortable reporting to, including:
   1. Student Affairs;
   2. The Director of Athletics or a coach;
   3. The Director of Greek Affairs;
   4. A Residence Director (RD); or
   5. MTSU Police.
      
      Employees of MTSU must report any incident of hazing they are made aware of to the Office of Student Care and Conduct.
      
      If the conduct involves an employee engaging in hazing, the Office of Student Care and Conduct will forward the report to the Provost’s Office or Human Resources regarding the employee involvement in hazing as appropriate.
3. Prevention and Awareness
   1. The disciplinary procedures for hazing where the perpetrator is a student will follow the procedures outlined in Policy 540 Student Conduct.
   2. The disciplinary procedures for hazing where the perpetrator is an employee will follow the procedures in Policy 800 General Personnel, Policy 851 Disciplinary Policy for Administrative and Classified Personnel, and Policy 204 Tenure as applicable.

V. Campus Hazing Transparency Report

1. The Office of Student Care and Conduct will, after the first report of hazing involving an officially recognized student organization under Policy 560 Student Organization Registration and Recognition or University sponsored organization such as a University athletics team, develop and publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report. The Campus Hazing Transparency Report will be updated twice a year from the date it was last published, unless no new reports of hazing by an officially recognized student organization or University sponsored organization has been made.
2. Each Campus Hazing Transparency Report must contain the following:
   1. The name of the officially recognized student organization or University sponsored organization;
   2. A general description of the violation that resulted in a finding of responsibility, including whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs, the findings, and any sanctions placed on the student organization as applicable; and
   3. The dates on which:
      • The incident was alleged to have occurred;
      • The investigation into the incident was initiated;
      • The investigation ended with a finding that a hazing violation occurred; and
      • The notice MTSU provided to the student organization that the incident resulted in a hazing violation
3. Each update to the Campus Hazing Transparency Report will be maintained for a period of five (5) calendar years from the date of publication.

Forms: none.

Revisions: none.

References: none.