Hazing Policy

Coker University is opposed to any and all forms of hazing under whatever name or form it may occur. It is a misdemeanor under South Carolina law to engage in hazing or to fail to report any incidents. Any person convicted of hazing will face severe Coker University judicial and legal actions. Decisive action will be taken if hazing is discovered in keeping with the following policy:

Any student group (including registered student organizations, athletics team, etc.) sanctioned by Coker University may have its right to represent Coker University revoked if hazing occurs. Similarly, an individual found responsible for hazing may be separated from the athletics department, any student organization, student leadership position and/or university.

Definition

An act of hazing will include all conditions described by South Carolina statutes or any knowing, intentional or reckless act or behavior for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in or maintaining membership to any athletic team, whether such behavior is on campus or off campus, or by one person or in concert with others, which, regardless of intent or consent of the participants:

produces or is reasonably likely to produce, bodily harm or danger, mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, fright, stress, humiliation, ridicule, fear of ostracism, or otherwise compromises the dignity of an individual;
compels an individual to participate in any activity which is unlawful and/or contrary to the rules, policies and regulations of the University; or
will, unreasonably or unusually, impair an individual's academic efforts.

Behavioral Concerns

The following illustrative, but not exhaustive, list of "traditional" pledging activities are deemed to be inappropriate by Coker University [and may well be illegal]. If you are uncertain, you should not engage in the activity without consulting in advance with your program advisor:

Paddling in any form, shoving or otherwise striking individuals, or corporal punishment of any kind, or creating a fear of similar behavior;
Compelling physically demanding activity of any kind including, but not limited to, calisthenics, running, or other types of required strenuous activity;
Compelling an individual to be shaved, branded, tattooed, pierced, etc.;
Compelling physical acts, such as walking backwards or confinement in a small space, which create the potential for physical or mental injury;
Compelling individuals to engage in sexual behaviors, sexual or racial harassment or slurs, or exhibitionism;
"Line-ups" in which individuals are verbally harassed, intimidated, or abused;
Compelling an individual to forego opportunity for sufficient sleep, consumption of decent edible meals or access to or use of personal hygiene;
Excluding an individual from social contact for prolonged periods of time;
Compelling individuals to consume alcohol or drugs or any other substances (e.g. undue amounts or odd preparations of food or drink);
Having substances thrown at, poured on or otherwise applied to the bodies of individuals;
Transporting individuals against their will, abandoning individuals at distant locations, or conducting any "kidnap," "ditch" or "road trip" that may in any way endanger or compromise the health, safety or comfort of any individual;

Consent Is No Defense

Any of the activities described or reasonably related to above, upon which the initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, or continued membership in an athletics team, is directly conditioned, will be presumed to be "compelled activities," the willingness of an individual to participate notwithstanding.

Applicability of Community Standards

The terms and concepts cited in this policy will be interpreted by University boards or officials in relation to acceptable and applicable community standards.