Anti-Hazing Information

Page Content

Stop Campus Hazing Act

The Stop Campus Hazing Act is a crucial step towards eradicating hazing on college campuses and ensuring the safety and well-being of students. This bipartisan, evidence-informed legislation is supported by national campus safety experts, national fraternity and sorority trade associations, and the parents of hazing victims. 

University of Southern Mississippi’s Institutional Policy on Hazing

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has unconditionally opposed any situation created intentionally or unintentionally to produce mental, physical, psychological, or emotional discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.

The University follows both University policy and state law that concerns hazing and any other behavior that could be interpreted as such. Hazing degrades the values of the involved student(s) or organization(s) and creates an environment of disrespect that contradicts the University’s creed.

Report an Incident

Mississippi Law

Mississippi Code Title 97. Crimes § 97-3-105

 (1) A person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when, in the course of another person's initiation into or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such injury.

(2) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both.

(3) A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course of another person's initiation into or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person.

(4) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (3) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

(5) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to other criminal laws, and actions taken pursuant to this section shall not bar prosecutions for other violations of criminal law.

Hazing Prevention and Education

As members of the USM Community, we all share the responsibility of building and maintaining an environment that recognizes the worth and potential of every individual and communicates respect among all members. Our success depends on our ability to work together in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

At USM, it is critical that our community (students, faculty, staff and volunteers) understand that hazing is not only unacceptable and a violation of USM rules and policies but it also violates state law.

How to Report Hazing

All USM employees (including part-time employees, student employees and graduate assistants) along with volunteers who are activing in an official capacity as an advisor of a student organization and/or student groups must report acts of hazing to the University and University Police Department.

Hazing reports can be made to the following offices:

• University Police Department, Bond Hall – 1^st Floor, policeFREEMississippi, 601-266-4986
• Dean of Students Office, R.C. Cook Union – Room 220, dosFREEMississippi, 601-266-4025
• Fraternity and Sorority Life, R.C. Cook Union, fslFREEMississippi, 601-266-4823

Reports can also be submitted online to the Dean of Students Office.

Hazing Investigation Process

Any violation of the University’s Institutional Policy on Hazing by a student(s) or student organization will be handled pursuant to the Code of Student Conduct (https://www.usm.edu/dean-students/code-student-conduct.php). This process will include determining if interim measures are needed to protect the safety and/or well-being of others. Any violation of the policy by faculty, staff, alumni, volunteers, as well as visitors and other licensees and invitees, shall be handled pursuant to applicable university policies and other agreements.

Hazing Resources

• Hazing Prevention Network - https://hazingpreventionnetwork.org/
• Stop Hazing - https://stophazing.org/
• National Hazing Prevention Week - https://hazingpreventionnetwork.org/national-hazing-prevention-week/#:~:text=Org's%202022%20National%20Hazing%20Prevention,as%20students%20return%20to%20campuses.