Hazing
The University of Arkansas at Monticello is committed to maintaining a supportive, educational environment that seeks to enhance the well-being of all members of its community. Hazing is a crime under Arkansas law and University policy. The University of Arkansas at Monticello prohibits hazing, in any form, against any member of the campus community.
This website is a resource to combat hazing by, among other things, providing education and empowering victims and bystanders. For more information about reporting concerns about hazing, please visit the UPD page.
Thank you for working to make our community at The University of Arkansas at Monticello hazing-free.
How is hazing defined for Clery Act reporting?
“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:
- is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
- 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.”Source: Clerycenter.org
A student organization is defined as “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.”
Did You Know?
- Hazing occurs in sports teams, clubs, Greek life, cheerleading, honor societies and more.
- Hazing is often about power and control. Hazing does not build unity.
- More than half of students in colleges and universities involved in clubs, sports teams and organizations have experienced hazing.
- A significant number of hazing incidents and deaths involve alcohol consumption.
- Students are more likely to be hazed if they knew an adult who was hazed.
- 2 in 5 students say they are aware of hazing taking place on their campus.
- Hazing occurs in middle schools, high schools and colleges.
Source: hazingprevention.org
Hazing, defined as, but not limited to, any act imposed on current or potential members of a group or organization that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a person, that defaces or destroys public or private property, that is likely to result in humiliation or ridicule, or that is likely to result in interference with academic efforts regardless of the consent of the participants, or any actions or activities prohibited by Ark, Code Ann. 6-5-201 and Ark, Code Ann. 6-5-204.
Ark, Code Ann. 6-5-210
Definition.
(a) As used in this subchapter, hazing means:
(1) Any willful act on or off the property of any school, college, university, or other educational institution in Arkansas by one (1) student alone or acting with others which is directed against any other student and done for the purpose of intimidating the student attacked by threatening him or her with social or other ostracism or of submitting such student to ignominy, shame, or disgrace among his or her fellow students, and acts calculated to produce such results;
(2) The playing of abusive or truculent tricks on or off the property of any school, college, university, or other educational institution in Arkansas by one (1) student alone or acting with others, upon another student to frighten or scare him or her;
(3) Any willful act on or off the property of any school, college, university, or other educational institution in Arkansas by one (1) student alone or acting with others which is directed against any other student done for the purpose of humbling the pride, stifling the ambition, or impairing the courage of the student attacked or to discourage him or her from remaining in that school, college, university, or other educational institution, or reasonably to cause him or her to leave the institution rather than submit to such acts; or
(4) Any willful act on or off the property of any school, college, university, or other educational institution in Arkansas by one (1) student alone or acting with others in striking, beating, bruising, or maiming; or seriously offering, threatening, or attempting to strike, beat, bruise, or maim; or to do or seriously offer, threaten, or attempt to do physical violence to any student of any such educational institution; or any assault upon any such student made for the purpose of committing any of the acts, or producing any of the results, to such student as defined in this section.
(b) The term hazing as defined in this section 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.
History. Acts 1983, No. 75, § 2; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-5502.
Ark, Code Ann. 6-5-204
Construction.
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as in any manner affecting or repealing any law of this state respecting any other criminal offense.
History. Acts 1983, No. 75, § 6; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-5506.
Incident Reporting Forms are used to report general incidents. Incidents include, but are not limited to: Alcohol use, drug use, physical assault, organizational violations, hazing incidents, or disruptive behavior.
The University of Arkansas at Monticello’s ability to investigate reported incidents and enforce the University’s polices depends on the accuracy and specificity of the information provided. Concerned individuals are encouraged to provide as much specific detail (i.e. names, dates, times, location, nature of the behavior, etc.). as possible so that appropriate action may be taken.
55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing. Only 1 in 10 students identify it as hazing (Allen & Madden, 2008).
Over 11,000 college students on 53 campuses participated in the National Study of Student Hazing. As part of the study, students reported that hazing occurs in, but extends beyond, varsity athletics and Greek-letter organizations and includes behaviors that are abusive, dangerous, and potentially illegal. Alcohol consumption, humiliation, isolation, sleep- deprivation, and sex acts are common hazing practices across all types of student groups.
Common factors in hazing? A Power differential between those in a group and those who want to join a group (HazingPrevention.org).
Allen and Madden (2008) reported more positive than negative associations with hazing among college students. “During interviews, numerous students justified hazing practices based on their perception that it promotes bond or group unity. However, the survey results indicate that the majority (two-thirds) of respondents do not cite this as an outcome of their hazing experiences. Similarly, hazing is often rationalized by saying it promotes “a sense of accomplishment.” However, the data reveal that more than three-fourths of the respondents do not identify a “sense of accomplishment” as an outcome of their hazing experiences.”
How to Prevent
The fight against hazing is everyone’s responsibility, and we’ve organized some tips here for students and community members to know how to respond and proactively prevent hazing.
Speak Up
The first step to ending hazing is to identify it and make your voice heard.
Ask Questions – Be Direct
Ask specific, clarifying questions if you see something that could be considered hazing.
- “I noticed you missed last night’s meeting. You look like you’re tired and in pain, is everything ok?”
- “I saw you wearing a funny outfit in class today. Did someone force you to wear that?”
- “You haven’t turned in your homework and your grades dropped, what’s going on?”
- “Why do you have so many bruises on you? Did someone hit you?”
- “How did that symbol appear on your skin? Were you branded?”
- “We haven’t seen you in a few weeks, where have you been? Are you being forced to self-isolate?”
- “Why are people calling you that derogatory nickname?”
Remember, these conversations will always be situational and contextual. You are more
likely to get an honest response if the person you’re asking trusts you. Even if they
insist they are not being hazed, hazing occurs with and without the victim’s consent.
Use your voice to speak up and identify hazing when it happens.
Steps you can take to better understand hazing prevention:
- Read and take advantage of the resources on this website
- Share reporting resources with other members of the UAM Community
- Attend a hazing prevention training
- Have a conversation with a friend, roommate, or organization member about the dangers of hazing.
It is important to speak with your student about hazing, because hazing can occur within any student group or organization. Hazing affects more than just students. Join us in the fight to end hazing.
Warning Signs
While your student will undergo some transition once they start school, you still know your student best. Watch for warning signs of hazing, which may include:
- The pattern of communication with your student changes drastically.
- Your student seems to close off or become isolated from normal activities.
- Look for changes in sleeping or eating habits or changes in mood. People being hazed tend to be more angry and irritable.
- Being hazed can be very time consuming or distracting, so another indicator is a drop in academic performance.
- In more serious cases of hazing, look for physical ailments and poor explanations of how those injuries occurred. (Lipkins, Susan. Preventing Hazing; Jossey Bass; 2006)
Communication is Key
If you suspect your student is being hazed, talk to them. Speak with them respectfully and out of concern. Most victims of hazing don’t want to discuss the issue, so be persistent. Additionally, many hazing victims don’t even realize they are being hazed and many that do realize they are being hazed are in denial about it. Additionally, there is typically a great deal of pressure from the group or organization for the individuals to be silent.
Remember that hazing is really about power and control. The desire to fit in is strong for many students. Some students may do anything to gain acceptance. Individuals who engage in hazing know this and use it to their advantage to control those being hazed. Additionally, most people who engage in hazing were hazed themselves and are seeking to outdo the group that hazed them. For this reason, even minor hazing must be addressed. If it goes unchecked, it will lead to more serious and dangerous forms of hazing.
When talking with your student about hazing, ask about the following things:
- Are you currently in the process of joining an organization? If so, which one?
- What kinds of activities do they ask you to do?
- How much time do you spend doing these activities and at what times of the day?
- Are you being forced to do anything unreasonable?
- Are you being deprived of anything such as food, sleep?
- Is alcohol involved in any of these activities?
- How does the group have you learn more about their organization/team?
Need to Report Hazing?
If you suspect your student is being hazed, please report the information immediately.
Arkansas Hazing Law
Hazing is defined as, but not limited to, "any act imposed on current or potential members of a group or organization that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a person, that defaces or destroys public or private property, that is likely to result in humiliation or ridicule, or that is likely to result in interference with academic efforts regardless of the consent of the participants, or any actions or activities" as prohibited by Ark, Code Ann. 6-5-201 and Ark, Code Ann. 6-5-202.
Contact Information:
Jessica Foxworth
Associate Vice Chancellor/ Dean of Students
Foxworth@uamont.edu
Office: SSC 201 D Phone: 870-460-1110
Quantel Williams
Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Housing and Residence Life/Deputy Title IX
Investigator
WilliamsQ@uamont.edu
Office: SSC 204 D Phone: 870-460-1245
Dylan McClain
Director of Student Programs & Activities
mcclaind@uamont.edu
Office:SSC 103C Phone: 870-460-1553