Florida Southern College maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy prohibiting all forms of hazing by any student, organization, or athletic team. The policy covers both on-campus and off-campus activities, and participation is strictly forbidden regardless of an individual's willingness to participate.
To foster a community of involvement and belonging where the group cares for and protects the individual, through education, awareness, and collaboration.
Florida Southern College prohibits the following:
Hazing, as defined in Florida Statute 1006.63: "Hazing" means any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution. "Hazing" includes, but is not limited to:
Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.
The following circumstances do not constitute a defense to allegations of hazing:
Hazing is related specifically to pledging, being initiated into, developing an affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization. Hazing is any activity that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers a person, regardless of that person's willingness to participate.
Hazing can look like many different behaviors, and it often happens along a spectrum. Some behaviors, like violence, are easy to recognize but happen less often. Others, like intimidation and harassment, happen more often and are easier to overlook. All of them are hazing.
Anywhere on this spectrum, hazing can look like any action that seeks to:
Even if an activity seems harmless or is described as a longstanding tradition, it could still be hazing. If you're unsure, ask yourself these questions:
If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," the activity is likely hazing.
Read Florida Southern College's hazing policy, Florida Statute 1006.63, and the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, including how each defines and prohibits hazing.
It is a violation for students, faculty, staff, or alumni to engage in any activity that may be construed as hazing on or off campus. Hazing is any action taken or situation created that produces mental, emotional, or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.
Such activities and situations include, but are not limited to:
Violations by individuals or student groups constitute grounds for disciplinary action. The policy on hazing applies to all campus organizations.
Under Florida law, hazing is prohibited and defined by Florida Statute 1006.63. The law applies to student organizations at colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions. Florida defines hazing as any action or situation that intentionally or recklessly endangers a student's mental or physical health or safety for purposes such as:
The key takeaway is that hazing in Florida is not limited to physical abuse. Any tradition, initiation, bonding activity, or organizational ritual that intentionally or recklessly endangers a student's physical health, mental health, safety, or dignity may constitute hazing, even if participants consent and even if the activity occurs off campus. Serious cases can result in felony charges, organizational sanctions, and institutional discipline.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act (S.2901, H.R.5646), enacted on Dec. 23, 2024, amends the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act to prioritize the prevention of, and transparency about, hazing incidents at colleges and universities. The federal law defines hazing as follows:
The term "hazing," for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents, means 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:
If you have experienced or witnessed any form of hazing, you are encouraged to report it. Reporting is an important step in helping our campus remain safe and secure for all students.
Anonymous reporting: You may submit a report anonymously by leaving your name and contact information blank on the form. This is the only way to ensure anonymity. However, please be aware that the College may be unable to complete an investigation or hold students or organizations accountable without the ability to share and evaluate the source of the report for credibility.
Director of Student Conduct
Assistant Dean of Student Support
Once a report is filed, it is reviewed by the Office of Student Conduct staff, and an investigation is conducted.
All investigations are conducted in a timely manner with the goal of a thorough and swift resolution. The timeframe can vary depending on case complexity, witness scheduling, and current caseload.
Under the Florida Southern College Student Handbook, hazing violations may result in serious disciplinary action, including:
Student organizations may also be sanctioned as a group, independent of action taken against individual members.
Hazing affects all of us. Prevention efforts are guided by the Office of Student Conduct in partnership with campus offices, including Campus Safety and Security, Health and Wellness, Athletics, and Student Involvement.
Leaders of student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, are also included in awareness and prevention efforts.
Florida Southern College partners with Vector Solutions to provide a mandatory hazing prevention training module for all incoming students. The module helps students recognize hazing, understand its dangers, and take steps to prevent it, and it ensures FSC meets the requirements of the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Florida law. Training modules are also available for faculty and staff.
In-person presentations on hazing prevention are available for all student clubs, organizations, and teams upon request. These sessions are facilitated by a staff member of the Office of Student Conduct. Presentations on bystander intervention are also available.
Presentations may also be facilitated by a third-party organization with expertise in hazing awareness and education, in coordination with the Office of Student Conduct.
Florida Southern College observes National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW), an annual campaign organized by the Hazing Prevention Network to raise awareness about the dangers of hazing and promote a culture of respect and safety within communities, schools, and organizations. The week is traditionally observed during the last full week of September.
These organizations offer research, training, and awareness materials for students, families, and educators who want to understand hazing and help prevent it.
These resources can listen and help without notifying the College.
First floor of the Thrift Building
The Counseling Center offers students walk-in access to clinical services, no appointment needed, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
863.680.6236
counseling@flsouthern.edu
After-hours support: To reach the FSC on-call counselor or have an officer dispatched, call 863.680.4305. In an emergency, call 911.
Fannin Center
Students of all faiths, or no faith at all, are welcome at the Fannin Center to receive free spiritual direction and pastoral counseling from the Chaplain's Office staff. Pastoral counseling meetings are confidential and can be arranged in person or by email, based on the student's needs and schedule.
These offices can help you report hazing and connect you with support. Information you share may be passed on to the College officials who respond to reports.
Second floor of the Carlisle Rogers Building
Rick Gebauer, Director of Student Conduct
Rogers Building 214
863.680.6216
rgebauer@flsouthern.edu
Amanda Blount, Ed.D., Assistant Dean of Student Support
Rogers Building 215
863.680.4625
ablount@flsouthern.edu
Southeast corner of Ingraham Avenue and Duke Place
863.680.4305
safety@flsouthern.edu
To have an officer dispatched, call 863.680.4305. In an emergency, call 911.
First floor of the Carlisle Rogers Building
Jenkins Field House
Jill Stephens, Senior Associate Athletics Director
863.680.4474
jstephens@flsouthern.edu
Annie Collins, Assistant Athletics Director for Student Success
863.680.5014
acollins5@flsouthern.edu
In compliance with federal campus safety reporting requirements, Florida Southern College provides this Campus Hazing Transparency Report to share information about past hazing misconduct involving fraternity and sorority organizations.
The report includes the name of the organization, the dates of the alleged hazing behavior (if known), the date the behavior was reported to the College, the dates of the investigation and final determination, and a summary of the findings. Where applicable, the report also notes whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs and the date the organization was notified of the finding of responsibility.
Only incidents that have completed the College's conduct process and resulted in a finding of responsibility are included. Reports of hazing that did not result in a finding of responsibility are not published. Unless otherwise noted, the date of the finding of responsibility corresponds to the date notice was provided to the organization. Student organizations under active investigation do not appear on this report.
This report is updated twice each year, typically before the start of the fall and spring semesters, and information is maintained for the period required by federal law.
Annual hazing statistics are published separately in Florida Southern College's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, in accordance with federal law. These statistics reflect reported incidents that meet the federal definition of hazing and do not necessarily indicate findings of responsibility.
For more on FSC's hazing policy, prevention efforts, and reporting resources, see Hazing Prevention above.
No hazing was reported or investigated.
No hazing was reported or investigated.