All members of the University of Lynchburg community and all student organizations are responsible for encouraging an atmosphere of learning, social responsibility, and respect for human dignity. Hazing is unproductive and hazardous behavior that is incongruous with this responsibility and has no place in the University of Lynchburg community, either on or off campus.
Hazing, as defined in this statement, is prohibited by the Commonwealth of Virginia and by the University of Lynchburg. An individual student or organization found to be in violation of this policy is subject to University disciplinary action and to possible criminal prosecution and/or civil action.
For the purposes of this policy, “organization” means any association, athletic team, club, fraternity, musical group, order, society, sorority, or other similar group whose members primarily are University of Lynchburg students.
The Statement Prohibiting Hazing is not intended to prohibit customary athletic events, contests, or competitions that are sponsored by the University of Lynchburg or the organized and supervised practices associated with such events. Similarly, this policy is not intended to prohibit any activity or conduct that furthers the goals of a legitimate educational curriculum or extracurricular program, as approved by the University of Lynchburg.
Section 18.2-56 of the Code of Virginia provides as follows:
- It shall be unlawful to haze, so as to cause bodily injury, any student at any school or institution of higher education.
- Any person found guilty thereof shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
- Any person receiving bodily injury by hazing shall have a right to sue, civilly, the person or persons guilty thereof, whether adults or infants.
- The president or other presiding official of any school or institution of higher education receiving appropriations from the state treasury shall, upon satisfactory proof of the guilt of any student hazing another student, sanction and discipline such student in accordance with the institution’s policies and procedures. The institution’s policies and procedures shall provide for expulsions or other appropriate discipline based on the facts and circumstances of each case and shall be consistent with the model policies established by the Department of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, as applicable. The president or other presiding official of any school or institution of higher education receiving appropriations from the state treasury shall report hazing which causes bodily injury to the attorney for the commonwealth of the county or city in which such school or institution of higher education is, who shall take such action as he deems appropriate.
- For the purposes of this section, “hazing” means to recklessly or intentionally endanger the health or safety of a student or students or to inflict bodily injury on a student or students in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a club, organization, association, fraternity, sorority, or student body, regardless of whether the student or students so endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.
In addition to the definition of hazing provided in the Code of Virginia, the University of Lynchburg further defines hazing as any action taken or situation created intentionally, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for a student related to prospective, new, or continued membership in an organization. An organization may not knowingly permit, authorize, or condone hazing. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, the direct or implied forcing, compelling, requiring, encouraging, or expecting of any individual to participate in any of the actions or activities listed below as examples or in any conduct inconsistent with the regulations and policies of the University of Lynchburg. Hazing also includes soliciting, directing, aiding, or otherwise participating in, either actively or passively, an incident of hazing.
An individual cannot consent to being hazed, and a victim’s voluntary or willful participation in hazing activities will not be considered as a defense against a violation of this hazing policy committed by an individual or an organization.
Examples of actions or situations that may constitute hazing include, but are not limited to:
- Paddling in any form
- Kidnapping
- All forms of physical activity that are used to harass, punish, create excessive fatigue, or harm an individual or are not part of an organized athletic context and not specifically directed toward constructive work
- Road trips or excursions
- Confinement
- Binding or restricting an individual in any way that would prohibit them from moving on their own
- Spraying, painting, or pelting with any substance
- Burying in any substance
- Servitude
- Requiring or compelling exposure to uncomfortable elements
- Forcing consumption of alcohol or any other substance, legal or illegal
- Depriving students of sufficient sleep (six consecutive hours per day is normally considered to be a minimum)
- Scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, quests, or other such activities
- Requiring or suggesting that an individual obtain or possess items or complete tasks in an unlawful manner (i.e., for a scavenger hunt)
- Burning, branding, or tattooing any part of the body
- Any other activity, whether voluntary or involuntary, that may cause physical injury or endanger the life of the individual being hazed
- Psychological hazing, such as any act that is likely to:
- Compromise an individual’s dignity
- Cause an individual embarrassment or shame
- Cause an individual to be the object of malicious amusement or ridicule
- Cause an individual emotional distress
- Interrogating an individual in an intimidating or threatening manner
- Nudity with the intent to cause embarrassment
- Verbal abuse
- Requiring or compelling the wearing in public of apparel that is conspicuous and/or indecent
- Late work sessions that interfere with academic endeavors
- Misleading prospective members in an effort to convince them that they will not become members unless they complete tasks, follow instructions, or act in a certain way
- Misleading prospective members in an effort to convince them that they will be hurt during induction or initiation
- Carrying any items (shields, paddles, bricks, hammers, etc.) that serve no constructive purpose or that are designed to punish or embarrass the carrier
- Blindfolding and parading individuals in public areas, blindfolding and transporting in a motor vehicle, or privately conducting blindfolding activities that serve no constructive purpose
Reporting Hazing
Any suspected incident of hazing should be reported promptly to an appropriate University office listed below. For emergency assistance on campus to prevent potential hazing before it occurs, or to stop hazing that is in progress, contact Campus Safety and Security. The initial report of suspected hazing may be made in person, by phone, or by electronic communication, and may be made anonymously. Additionally, any suspected violation of law pertaining to hazing can be reported to local law enforcement by dialing 911.
Emergency Assistance
- On campus and at Health Sciences
- Campus Safety and Security
- 434.544.5555 or by LiveSafe app
- First floor, Hall Campus Center
Emergency Assistance
- Off campus and at Claytor Nature Center
- Police, fire, and emergency medical services
- 911
Non Emergency Assistance
- University Offices
- Campus Safety and Security
- 434.544.8102 or by using the LiveSafe app
- security@groups.lynchburg.edu
- First floor, Hall Campus Center
- Available 24 hours daily
- Office of Campus Engagement
- 434.544.8254
- 118 Drysdale Student
- Office of Community Expectations and Restorative Practices
- 434.544.8822
- studentdevelopment@lynchburg.edu
- Second floor, Hundley Hall
- Off-Campus Resources
- Lynchburg Police Department
- 434.847.1602 (nonemergency dispatch)
- Public Safety Bldg. – West Building
- 805 Court St.
- Lynchburg, VA 24504
- Campus Conduct Hotline
- A confidential, independent, nonemergency call-in service
- 866.943.5787
- Available 24 hours daily
The University of Lynchburg, in accordance with Section 23.1-821 of the Code of Virginia, provides information about on-campus individuals or entities that are qualified to provide the appropriate ongoing mental and behavioral health support to any student who reports to the institution an act of hazing or and act of bullying experiences as the result of a report of an act of hazing for such student. See the below list of resources for continuing mental and behavioral health support provided to students:
- On-Campus Resources
- Counseling Center
- 434.544.8616
- counseling@lynchburg.edu
- Office of Case Management
- 434.544.8839
- casemanagement@lynchburg.edu
- Off Campus/National Resources
- The counseling center doesn’t have on-call or after-hour coverage, so they have developed a list of emergency and after-hours resources and a list of local counseling centers for students to utilize
- There are also a number of national resources available to students seeking mental and behavioral health support
Friendly Referral Practice: Hazing Reporting
The University of Lynchburg encourages the prompt reporting of suspected hazing behavior, both to prevent potential hazing before it occurs and to stop hazing that is in progress (see “Reporting Hazing”).
Individuals who experience hazing, or who are nonparticipating witnesses, may be hesitant to report hazing due to concern about possible ramifications of their own personal use of alcohol or other drugs at the time of the incident. Therefore, to encourage hazing prevention, bystander intervention, and good-faith reporting of hazing behavior that results in injury (or is likely to result in injury), Community Expectations and Restorative Practices (CERP) may address the personal consumption of alcohol or other drugs through implementation of this Friendly Referral Practice rather than as a violation of the Student Conduct Code.
When this Friendly Referral Practice is implemented to address an alleged hazing incident, disciplinary charges or outcomes resulting from one’s own personal possession or consumption of alcohol or other drugs related to the hazing incident are not issued to victims of the alleged hazing or to nonparticipating witnesses who reported hazing. (Other policy violations [e.g., property damage, providing alcohol or drugs to others, violence, obscene acts or abusive language] may be addressed through the student disciplinary process detailed in the Honor and Student Conduct Codes and Regulations). Instead, hazing victims and bystanders may be required to meet with a representative of CERP (or designee) to discuss the alleged incident and any substance-related education assigned to the student. CERP may also elect to extend this substance-related “immunity” to nonparticipating witnesses who actively intervened to prevent or stop hazing in ways other than reporting.
Retaliation: Hazing Reporting
Retaliation is prohibited by a student or an organization against any individual who reports a suspected incident of hazing or participates in an investigation or proceeding related to hazing.
Disciplinary Procedures re: Hazing
Both individuals and organizations may be held responsible for their actions and participation in an incident of hazing committed on or off campus. An individual and/or organization may be subject to multiple adjudication processes, such as:
- Hazing allegedly committed by an individual student is addressed in accordance with student disciplinary procedures detailed in the Honor and Student Conduct Codes and Regulations. Individual students found to be in violation of this policy may face outcomes from warning to expulsion (see “Outcomes”).
- Hazing allegedly committed by an organization is addressed in accordance with disciplinary procedures implemented by the Office of Campus Engagement. An organization of the University of Lynchburg found to be in violation of this policy may face sanctions ranging from a warning to loss of status as a recognized student organization. Campus privileges may be revoked, charters rescinded, and/or disciplinary sanctions imposed on individual officers or members.
- Alleged violation of laws pertaining to hazing may be investigated and resolved through criminal prosecution and/or civil action.
The University’s disciplinary processes should not be considered substitutes for criminal legal processes.
Hazing Prevention Education
The University of Lynchburg provides hazing prevention education on topics such as dangers of hazing, the University’s Statement Prohibiting Hazing, and laws regarding hazing. Section 23.1-820 of the Code of Virginia (a portion of “Adam’s Law,” effective July 1, 2022) requires the provision of hazing prevention training to the current, new, and potential members of some recognized student organizations, as well as the organizations’ advisors. To receive and/or maintain organizational recognition, invitation to join, and/or individual membership, students and organization advisors may be required to complete hazing prevention education programs as specified by the University. For additional information about hazing prevention education and Adam’s Law, contact the Office of Campus Engagement.
Hazing Violations Listed on University Website
In accordance with Section 23.1-822 of the Code of Virginia (a portion of “Adam’s Law,” effective July 1, 2022), the University of Lynchburg maintains a public report of actual findings of violations of the University’s Honor and Student Conduct Codes and/or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing that are reported to campus authorities or local law enforcement. Also in accordance with Section 23.1-822, the public report does not include any personally identifiable information of any student involved in a hazing violation, and the report does not list investigations that do not result in findings of University violations or convictions in a court of law.
The public report of hazing violations is available on the University’s homepage (lynchburg.edu) and on the fraternity/sorority webpage (lynchburg.edu/student-life/fraternities-sororities/). The report is updated at least 10 calendar days before the start of each fall and spring academic semester.
Information about a particular hazing violation is listed on the public report for a minimum of 10 years from the date when the violation was initially listed. Information listed about a hazing violation or conviction includes:
- The name of the student organization recognized by the University or the name of the local organization, composed of students, that is not recognized or chartered by the University or by a national organization
- Dates on which the hazing occurred, investigation was initiated and concluded by the University and/or local law enforcement, and the organization was found responsible and/or convicted of hazing
- A comprehensive description of the hazing incident, including the finding of violation(s) and sanction(s) placed on the organization
