Hazing and Initiation Activities

Student Code of Conduct Section 10
http://louisville.edu/dos/students/revised-code-of-student-conduct.html/

Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following prohibited conduct is subject to the conduct sanctions:

• Intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm to another person or to self.
• Hazing, encouraging, facilitating or allowing hazing by any organization or by any individual on behalf of an organization or group (recognized or not recognized by the university), or visitor within the University of Louisville community. The express or implied consent of the individual will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not a neutral act; it is a violation of this rule.
• Failing to report immediately any serious health or safety risk to the Police, the Dean of Students Office or other appropriate University personnel.
• Aiding or abetting any prohibited conduct described in section 10 of the Student Code of Conduct

The term "hazing" means any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health; creates an atmosphere of servitude; involves dangerous, demeaning or ridiculing activities; involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs; for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in a group or organization.

The term "intentionally" means a conscious objective to engage in the described conduct; intoxication is not a defense to a charge of intentional misconduct.

The term "reckless" means conduct which could reasonably be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to a person(s) or property, or which would be likely to result in interference with normal University or University-sponsored activities.

Student Handbook
http://louisville.edu/dos/students/policies-procedures/student-handbook.html#hazingandinitionactivitiespolicy

An individual or group will have engaged in prohibited conduct if any of the following behavior occurs: Hazing, encouraging, facilitating or allowing hazing by any organization or by any individual on behalf of an organization or group (recognized or not recognized by the university), or visitor within the University of Louisville community.  The express or implied consent of the individual will not be a defense.  Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not a neutral act; it is a violation of this policy.

Violation of this policy by any student or member of the University faculty or staff, will result in disciplinary action under the provision of the Redbook, and may include dismissal from the University.

Possible sanctions for violating the hazing policy for individual students resulting from the University conduct process can range from a reprimand to disciplinary expulsion depending on the severity of the violation. Possible sanctions for student organizations or groups include suspension or restriction from University property or revocation of organization and/or charter recognition.  Any organization which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or forces consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization shall be excluded from University campuses for a minimum of two years as determined by the President or his/her designee.  Possible sanctions for faculty and staff range from an oral warning to termination of employment.

Violations of this policy are subject to referral to appropriate University, and law enforcement officials, as well as to regional and national affiliated offices, for action or prosecution.

Nothing contained in this section is intended to, nor shall be construed to, limit or restrict freedom of speech or peaceful assembly. 

Commonwealth of Kentucky

KRS 164.375 requires the University to adopt a policy prohibiting hazing activities that applies to the conduct of students, faculty and staff, as well as visitors and other licensees and invitees on campus. The purpose of this regulation is to establish the University’s hazing prevention policy.

National Organizations

Regional and national organization that may be affiliated with UofL organizations may have policies about hazing.  A regional and/or national organization may take actions against individuals and the organizations under their policies.  Members should review the policies of their regional and/or national organization.  The University, however, is not precluded from taking action regardless of what action the regional/national organization may take.