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University of Florida

Federal and State Definitions

Federal Definition

Hazing (as defined under the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Public Law 118-173) 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—

  1. is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a Student Organization; and
  2. causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including—
    • whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
    • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
    • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
    • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
    • any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
    • any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
    • any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

Student Organization (as defined under the Stop Campus Hazing Act) means an organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution. This definition will only apply to reporting for Clery purposes and may not necessarily include Student Organizations that are officially recognized by UF. See Student Organization as defined by UF Regulation 4.040, the Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code.

Florida State Definition

Hazing (as defined in Section 1006.63, Florida Statutes) 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:

  1. Initiation into any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution;
  2. Admission into any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution;
  3. Affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution; or
  4. The perpetuation or furtherance of a tradition or ritual of any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution.

The term includes, but is not limited to, pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law; any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student; or any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student. The term does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.