Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
Anti-Hazing Information
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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.
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 – 1st 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.
Campus Hazing Transparency Report
In accordance to the Stop Campus Hazing Act, the University of Southern Mississippi’s Transparency Report includes information on Fraternity and Sorority Life chapters who have been found responsible for violating the University’s Hazing Policy. This information is made public according to the Stop Campus Hazing Act. This report will be updated twice each academic year.
For more information regarding the Stop Campus Hazing Act visit https://www.clerycenter.org/scha-what-you-need-to-know
Omega Psi Phi
Timeline:
- Incident date(s): Spring Semester 2023
- Investigation initiated: 04/21/2023
- Charge date: 06/08/2023
- Resolution date: 06/08/2023
Description:
This chapter engaged in or attempted to engage in conduct that included the following:
- Physically assaulting new members to the point of injury with the use of a paddle
Violations:
- 11 - Hazing
Did the hazing violation involve the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs?
- No
Sanctions:
- Suspension from University until 06/08/2027
- Loss of Privileges until 06/08/2027
- Disciplinary Probation upon return until 07/01/2029
- Additional Educational Sanctions
Alpha Tau Omega
Timeline:
- Incident date(s): Fall Semester 2024
- Investigation initiated: 09/25/2025
- Charge date: 11/06/2025
- Resolution date: 11/06/2025
Description:
This chapter engaged in or attempted to engage in conduct that included the following:
- Requiring new members to sit in an ice bath for a period of time.
- Offered alcohol to underage new members throughout initiation process.
- Required new members to recite sound offs that were racial in manner and degrading to individuals.
Violations:
- 11 – Hazing
- 1 - Alcohol
- 10 -Harassment and Threatening or Aggressive Behavior
- 20 - Violation of University Rules or Federal, State, and Local Laws
Did the hazing violation involve the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs?
- Yes
Sanctions:
- Suspended from University until 01/01/2028
- Disciplinary Probation upon return until 01/01/2029
- Additional Educational Sanctions
Pi Kappa Phi
Timeline:
- Incident date(s): Fall Semester 2025
- Investigation initiated: 11/03/2025
- Charge date: 12/04/2025
- Resolution date: 12/04/2025
Description:
This chapter engaged in or attempted to engage in conduct that included the following:
- Blindfolded new members throughout initiation process.
Violations:
- 11 – Hazing
Did the hazing violation involve the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs?
- No
Sanctions:
- Disciplinary Probation until 12/4/2026
- Additional Educational Sanctions
For additional information regarding the student organization conduct process, please contact the Dean of Students Office at (601) 266-4025 or dos@usm.edu
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.