Organization Resources
Introduction
JMU is an institution of higher learning devoted to excellence in teaching, research and service to the people of the commonwealth and the nation. The university is committed to developing students through academic and co-curricular activities. Hazing is an unproductive and hazardous custom that is incongruous with this responsibility and has no place in college life, either on or off campus. No individual student or recognized student organization may engage in or plan any activity that may be defined as hazing. In addition, no individual nor recognized organization may by physical or mental stress or by subtle or covert technique, impair, make captive, or destroy an individuals' freedom of thought and choice.
Hazing Policy J17-100
In keeping with JMU's expectations for a positive academic environment, the university unconditionally opposes any situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Hazing, under Virginia law, is defined as activities for the initiation or induction into an organization which include calisthenics or other strenuous physical activity; exposure to inclement weather; consumption of food, liquid, beverage, drug or other substance; confinement in any room or compartment; spraying, painting or pelting with any substance; burying in any substance; burning, branding or tattooing or another activity which may result in physical injury or endanger the health or life of the individual being hazed.
J17-101 Section 18.2-56 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, which declares hazing illegal, establishes conditions for civil and criminal liability and outlines the duties of the university when a student has been found guilty of hazing. It is hereby incorporated as part of this policy and will serve as a guide for action by the university when hazing results in bodily injury.
Hazing Information
The following activities have at one time or another been construed as hazing. Such actions are often required or implied as conditions necessary for an individual to be included in a group. The list is not inclusive of all possible hazing violations at the university. Organizations that are found to be in violation of this policy are subject to discipline by the university and may lose their status as recognized student organizations of the university. Individual members who are found to be in violation of the Code of Student Conduct may be disciplined in accordance with established university procedures.
Hazing includes but is not limited to the following activities:
- Requiring calisthenics such as sit-ups, pushups, runs or any form of physically abusive exercise
- Forcing or requiring consumption of alcoholic beverages or any drug
- Requiring the ingestion of any undesirable or unwanted substance (i.e. spoiled food, insects, raw eggs, etc.)
- Total nudity at any time
- Paddle swats
- Pushing, shoving or attacking associate/pledge members
- Assigning "pranks" such as stealing, painting objects, panty raids and harassing another organization
- Calling associates by degrading names such as "scum"
- Activities which allow associates/pledges less than six continuous hours of sleep
- Required road trips and kidnapping of associates or members
- Running up stairs while reading material
- Yelling, screaming or use of obscenities at pledges/associates
- Activities which encourage failure of associates/pledges to comply with the directions of faculty, staff or other university officials
- Burning, branding or tattooing any part of the body, whether voluntarily or involuntarily
- Activities which call for blindfolding, confinement, jumping from heights and other potentially dangerous activities
- Intentional actions that obstruct, disrupt or physically interfere with the use of university premises, buildings, streets or other facility of the university
- Activities which encourage failure to comply with the laws of local, state or federal government
Hazing Alternatives
JMU is committed to the positive education of new members in the process of joining an organization; this process should create better members through the development of maturity and leadership. We believe that hazing sets a standard that focuses on endurance or tolerance of a difficult pledge education process that should instead focus on achievement of positive standards. Thus the following alternatives are recommended to create positive traditions.
- Develop Leadership: Assign and involve new members in organizational committees for fund-raising activities, community service projects, public relations, new member recruitment and retention, etc.
- Involve your Organization with the University: Encourage members to participate in university committees, the Student Government Association, Freshman Orientation, intramural sports and other organizations; invite university faculty and staff members to conduct presentations
- Instill a Sense of Unity Within Your Organization: Plan special events for members such as a holding a retreat, attending a football game or cultural event, honoring your adviser or having a formal dinner and dance. Remember, retaining members is just as important as recruiting members.
Protecting Student Rights
Because hazing is seen as contradictory to JMU's mission, the following administrative procedures will be implemented.
- To ensure awareness of the university's policy against hazing, each organization's president, pledge educator and advisers will sign a statement on this policy. The statement will ensure that all chapter members are aware of the requirements of this policy; this policy is reviewed annually; and each new member has a copy of the policy
- Office of Student Activites & Invovlement may conduct an orientation for other student organizations who have initiation and pledging activities. The orientation will be designed to give all members greater insight into hazing policies and laws and their individual responsibilities.
