INTRODUCTION

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (“UAB”) is committed to providing a safe environment that is free from all forms of hazing. UAB students and employees have a shared responsibility to ensure a safe, secure, and healthy environment for all members of the UAB community.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all members of the campus community, which includes students, student organizations, faculty, staff, and visitors.

POLICY STATEMENT

UAB is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and respectful environment and does not tolerate hazing in any form. No individual shall (directly or indirectly) engage in hazing or encourage, aid, or assist any other person in hazing. UAB’s hazing prevention and awareness program provides UAB community members with campus-wide hazing prevention resources, including training and education. In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, UAB shall disclose hazing incident statistics in its Annual Security Report and make publicly available a Campus Hazing Transparency Report if an established or recognized student organization is found responsible for hazing. Information related to the hazing prevention and awareness program, both the Annual Security Report and the Campus Hazing Transparency Report, Alabama’s state law on hazing, and Frequently Asked Questions related to hazing are available here.  

All members of the UAB community have a duty to promptly report good faith concerns about potential hazing impacting another member of the campus community. Any individual who has knowledge or any reasonable information about a hazing incident, whether that hazing incident has already occurred or is set to occur in the future, has a duty to make a reasonable effort to immediately report the hazing-related information as noted herein. Individuals who report potential hazing in good faith are protected from retaliation by UAB’s Duty to Report and Non-retaliation Policy. UAB’s Medical Amnesty Policy sets forth conditions under which students will not be subject to conduct action for alcohol or drug use while seeking medical assistance.

If the situation poses actual or imminent danger or threats of violence to people or property, contact the UAB Police Department immediately at 205-934-3515. Other hazing-related information may be reported directly to the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability or through the Student Conduct Code Alleged Violation Referral form. Reports may also be submitted to the UAB Hotline.

Hazing is defined as 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, gaining a leadership position in, 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 but not limited to-
   1. whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone's body, or similar activity;
   2. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
   3. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
   4. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
   5. causing unreasonable interference with a Student’s academic performance;
   6. forced actions or inactions that demean or disgrace an individual;
   7. forced or coerced wearing of inappropriate apparel;
   8. forced or coerced exclusion from social contact;
   9. personal servitude;
   10. undue financial expenditures;
   11. any other activity that could reasonably be viewed as subjecting others to embarrassment, degradation, or humiliation;
   12. any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
   13. any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, state, tribal, federal law, or the Student Conduct Code; and
   14. any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, state, tribal, federal law, or the Student Conduct Code.

Silent participation, knowledge of, being in the presence of, or observation of hazing is not a neutral act; they are considered a violation of the hazing provision.

For purposes of this policy, a student organization means an organization at UAB in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at UAB, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the University.

PROCEDURES

Allegations that a current UAB student or student organization has violated this policy will be addressed through the procedures outlined in the Student Conduct Code.

Allegations that an employee or non-student individual has violated this policy will be investigated by Human Resources and addressed under this policy in addition to any other applicable UAB policies and procedures.

NONCOMPLIANCE

Confirmed violations of this policy will result in consequences commensurate with the offense, up to and including termination of student status, appointment, employment, or other relationships with UAB in addition to any criminal charges or civil liability that may occur. Student organizations found responsible for hazing will be subject to the sanctions outlined in the Student Conduct Code.

IMPLEMENTATION

The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for procedures to implement this policy.

Related Policies, Procedures, and Resources

UAB Enterprise Code of Conduct

Student Conduct Code

Duty to Report and Non-retaliation Policy

Alabama Code § 16-1-23

Campus Hazing Transparency Report