Hazing Prevention and Policies

Hazing Policy

Hazing in any form contradicts the values of Millsaps College and is strictly prohibited. This policy is consistent with Mississippi Code § 97-3-105 and the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (P.L. 118-34).

Definition of Hazing

Hazing includes any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—whether occurring on or off campus—committed by a student, student group, or organization that:

• Endangers the physical health, mental health, safety, or dignity of a student or prospective student,
• Causes or is likely to cause bodily injury, humiliation, or personal degradation,
• Is committed for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any group, team, club, organization, or student body,
• Is not reasonably related to the legitimate mission of the organization, and
• Is performed with or without the consent of the individual subjected to the act.

Consent to hazing is not a defense under this policy or state law.

Examples of Prohibited Conduct

Prohibited acts of hazing include, but are not limited to:

• Physical brutality (e.g., beating, paddling, branding)
• Verbal abuse, threats, or public embarrassment
• Forced or coerced physical activity, including exercise, exposure to weather, or restraint
• Forced consumption of any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance
• Acts that cause excessive fatigue, sleep deprivation, or mental distress
• Coerced activities leading to theft, vandalism, trespassing, or other illegal acts
• Personal servitude (e.g., errands, cleaning, personal chores)
• Forced or coerced sexual activity or simulation of sexual acts
• Verbal abuse, threats, or public embarrassment
• Abduction or abandonment
• Requirement to wear inappropriate or humiliating clothing
• Any activity that violates local, state, or federal law

Student Organization Definition

For Clery Act reporting, a student organization is defined as “an organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.”

Compliance with Mississippi Law

Under Mississippi Code § 97-3-105, hazing that results in bodily harm is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. Millsaps College will report any hazing incident that results in serious injury or death to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

Compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act

To comply with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, the College will:

1. Include hazing statistics in Clery Act annual security reports. Hazing statistics in the Clery ASR will include all reported incidents of hazing that meet the Clery Act definition even if those reports were not substantiated.
2. Maintain and publicly post a biennial Campus Hazing Transparency report of all student organizations and/or teams found responsible for violating the hazing policy, including the name of the organization/team, date, and summary of the incident.
3. Provide campus wide hazing prevention and awareness programs to all students, faculty and staff.

Reporting and Investigation Process

Anyone who witnesses, experiences, or has knowledge of a possible hazing incident is encouraged and expected to report the behavior to:

• The College’s Student Conduct online reporting form
• Campus Safety
  • Emergency Number: (601) 974-1234
  • Non-Emergency Number: (601) 974-1180
• Hazing Prevention Network Website or Anti-Hazing Hotline

Retaliation against any individual who reports hazing in good faith is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.

All reports of hazing will be investigated through the Student Code of Conduct process outlined in Major Facts. The college may also implement interim measures for students and student organizations if they pose a risk to the physical health or safety of the Millsaps College community before a conduct process begins or is completed.

Prevention and Awareness Programs

All students, faculty and staff will be educated on an annual basis about the Millsaps College hazing policy, reporting process, research-informed prevention programs and strategies.

Additional resources are also available through StopHazing.org and the Anti-Hazing Coalition.

Transparency Reports

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

Will be updated in December 2025. The report will include information about college-recognized student organizations that have been found responsible for violating the Code of Conduct related to hazing. Information collection will begin July 1, 2025.

Campus Safety Annual Security Report

View the current Campus Safety Annual Security Report. Please note that hazing statistics will be included beginning with the 2026 report (covering 2025). Hazing statistics include incident reports that meet the federal definition of hazing in Section 485(f)(6)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C 1092(f)(6)(A)).