Hazing Information, Policies, and State Law

Columbus State University is committed to education and measures which support a safe campus environment and experience for all students. Accordingly, incidents of hazing and other forms of harmful misconduct perpetrated upon any individual by another individual and/or organization shall be addressed through the University's student conduct investigative and hearing process as codified in the current student handbook.

Hazing is unlawful under State of Georgia law. Under state law, hazing is defined as "subjecting a student to an activity which endangers or is likely to endanger the physical health of a student, or coerces the student through the use of social or physical pressure to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the student to a likely risk of vomiting, intoxication, or unconsciousness regardless of a student's willingness to participate in such activity."

Although not expressly defined as hazing under Georgia law, engagement in other potentially harmful activities as part of one's membership or potential membership in a registered student organization or informal group remains strictly prohibited. Pursuant to existing university policies as well as provisions within the student code of conduct/student handbook, potentially harmful actions directed at individuals as part of the membership process continue to be forbidden, regardless of whether such harm is physical or mental. Alleged violations of Georgia law or university policy in this regard will be subject to discipline, up to possible expulsion from the university, consistent, of course, with the respect and safeguarding of each student's right to due process.

Required Public Reporting

The University, under state law, is responsible for publicly reporting any incident adjudicated from or after May 2021 wherein an individual or organization is found responsible for hazing under the University's code of conduct, or guilty of hazing under state law.

Current Report

No incidents have been adjudicated since May 2021.