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Hazing policy

Policy Statement

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD or University) is committed to maintaining an environment of ethical integrity and mutual respect. Hazing undermines these values and is strictly prohibited. This policy is established to foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful academic and social environment.

SCAD will take prompt and appropriate action in response to all reported hazing incidents. This includes a thorough and impartial review of all allegations and the imposition of sanctions where violations are substantiated.

Scope

This policy applies to all members of the SCAD community, including students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors, visitors, and guests, across all locations, modalities, and programs.

Definitions

Hazing

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that:

  1. is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation or connection with, the maintenance of membership in, or any other condition or precondition connected to a student organization; and
  2. causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in student organization activities (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including, but not limited to —
    1. whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
    2. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
    3. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
    4. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
    5. any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
    6. any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, state, tribal, or federal law; and
    7. any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of local, state, tribal, or federal criminal law.

 

 
Student Organization

Student organization means an organization at SCAD (such as a club, society, association, order, athletic team, band, student group) in which two or more of the members are enrolled SCAD students, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the University.

Institutional Response

All allegations of hazing will be addressed promptly through a coordinated response involving the appropriate offices. The University will assess each report on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the violation is attributable to individual misconduct, organizational misconduct, or both.

Where organizational responsibility is substantiated, the University reserves the right to impose sanctions against the student organization, its officers, or both, in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct and/or other applicable University policies.

Alleged violations of this policy by students and/or student organizations will be adjudicated pursuant to the procedures and standards set forth in the SCAD Code of Student Conduct. Individuals or organizations found responsible for hazing may be subject to sanctions.

All students subject to disciplinary action under this policy will be afforded the rights and procedural guarantees outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.

Alleged violations of this policy by employees will be reviewed in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures found within the Staff and Faculty Handbook.

Procedures

Reporting Hazing

Reports of hazing can be submitted via:

IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND MATTERS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT 911.

Anonymous reporting: Any individual other than a SCAD employee making a mandatory report of hazing under this Policy may make an anonymous report of hazing without disclosing their name. However, depending on the information available about a reported hazing incident, SCAD’s ability to respond may be limited.

Investigative Process

Students: Upon receipt of a hazing report against a student, the Office of Community Standards will promptly assign the matter to an investigator for review. The investigation will be conducted in accordance with procedures outlined in the SCAD Code of Student Conduct.

Employees: Upon receipt of a hazing report against an employee, the allegation will be investigated by SCAD Human Resources in accordance with HR procedures.

Federal and State Compliance

The University will include hazing incident reports in its daily crime log, and the University will include statistics for hazing that were reported to campus security authorities or SCAD Department of University Safety in its Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR).

SCAD will ALSO publicly disclose administrative findings of violation of hazing or hazing-related criminal convictions of which it is aware. This information will be posted within fifteen (15) calendar days of final adjudication or public notice of conviction.

The data will be published in the Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHTR). The CHTR will include the name of the student organization; a general description of the violation, including whether it involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs; the findings (i.e., adjudications or convictions); the sanctions imposed, if any; the date of the incident(s); the date on which the investigation was initiated; the date the investigation ended; the date the student organization was provided notice that a hazing violation occurred; and any additional information that the University determines to be necessary or which is required by state law.

The Office of Community Standards shall publish the CHTR in a prominent location on the University’s website and ensure it is updated at least twice per year. Upon each publication, the Office of Community Standards shall issue an email notification to all students, faculty, and staff, including a direct link to the CHTR to promote timely access and institutional transparency. 

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the CHTR will not include personally identifiable student information. The CHTR will be maintained for a period of seven (7) years from each update.

Retaliation

SCAD strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual who, in good faith, reports an alleged violation of this hazing policy or who participates in an investigation, adjudication, or resolution process related to such a report. Retaliation is considered a serious violation of University policy and may result in disciplinary action independent of the outcome of the original hazing allegation.

Retaliatory actions may include, but are not limited to, verbal or implied threats, physical or psychological intimidation, harassment (whether verbal, written, or digital), social or academic exclusion, or any behavior intended to create a hostile, fearful, or coercive environment for the individual reporting the misconduct or participating in the process.

All allegations of retaliation will be investigated and addressed in accordance with the SCAD’s Code of Student Conduct, University Governance Policy and/or other applicable university policies.

Responsibilities

All SCAD Employees

All faculty and staff are designated as mandatory reporters for hazing-related incidents. Failure to report suspected hazing may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Mandatory reporters may not make anonymous reports of hazing in order to discharge this responsibility. Mandatory reporters need not have learned of the alleged hazing from the individual(s) allegedly affected for it to be reportable. Mandatory reporters must promptly report all known information.

Clery Compliance Coordinator

The Clery Compliance Coordinator ensures that SCAD fulfills its obligations under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act and the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring Clery-reportable hazing incidents are accurately documented and classified in the ASFSR;
  • Coordinating with the Office of Community Standards, SCAD Department of University Safety, and Human Resources to verify incident data and reporting timelines;
  • Delivering policy awareness to University employees, annually;
  • Engaging campus partners to maintain and deliver hazing prevention education to students, faculty, and staff, that is comprehensive, research-informed hazing prevention and awareness strategy that is implemented campus-wide; and
  • Supporting University compliance through coordination and periodic audits.

Office of Community Standards

The Office of Community Standards is the central administrative unit responsible for implementing this policy and coordinating the student conduct process related to hazing allegations. This office:

  • Receives and evaluates hazing reports from students, faculty, staff, and third parties;
  • Oversees the formal investigation and adjudication of alleged student hazing violations;
  • Determines appropriate interim measures and sanctions;
  • Notifies relevant stakeholders, including the SCAD Department of University Safety, the national headquarters of registered student organizations, when applicable;
  • Oversees the publication of SCAD Campus Hazing Transparency Report at least twice per year; and
  • Maintains hazing records in accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and SCAD’s record retention policies.

SCAD Department of University Safety

The SCAD Department of University Safety is responsible for collaborating with the Office of Community Standards and Human Resources on cases involving both administrative and criminal proceedings; and participating in hazing prevention and awareness efforts by providing education and outreach to the campus community.

Human Resources

SCAD’s Department of Human Resources is responsible for serving as a reporting avenue for employees who witness or suspect hazing, in coordination with the Office of Community Standards, and other applicable offices.

Student Organizations

All student organizations are responsible for:

  • Ensuring all organizational activities are conducted in compliance with this policy, the Code of Student Conduct, and relevant laws;
  • Educating their members about hazing prevention and reporting obligations;
  • Self-reporting known or suspected hazing incidents to the Office of Community Standards and/or Human Resources; and
  • Cooperating fully with administrative or criminal investigations.

Students

All SCAD students are expected to:

  • Refrain from engaging in, supporting, or ignoring hazing in any form;
  • Promptly report hazing concerns to designated campus offices or through anonymous platforms; and
  • Cooperate with investigations as appropriate.

Enforcement

SCAD will refer felony-level hazing allegations to appropriate law enforcement agencies in accordance with state and federal law.

SCAD takes all violations of this policy seriously. Individuals and student organizations found responsible for engaging in, facilitating, or failing to report hazing are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with university policies and applicable laws (including but not limited to suspension, loss of privileges, permanent revocation of registration of an organization, and termination).

Related Information

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
SCAD Daily Crime Logs
Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act
Max Gruver Act: The Georgia Anti-Hazing Law
Stop Campus Hazing Act

Hazing Prevention Education

SCAD implements a comprehensive, research-informed hazing prevention education program for students, faculty, and staff. Drawing from the successful framework of the University’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program (DAAPP), this initiative promotes wide-reaching training, active engagement, and compliance with this policy. Hazing prevention education at SCAD includes:

  • Mandatory orientation programming for all new students that includes hazing prevention messaging alongside wellness, safety, and conduct education;
  • Quarterly residence hall floor meetings that review University policies, bystander responsibilities, and hazing-related scenarios;
  • Annual bystander intervention training for residence life staff and student leaders;
  • Targeted trainings for coaches, advisers, performance groups, and student organizations, with content addressing recognition, intervention, and reporting;
  • Digital resources and ongoing outreach delivered via Blackboard Learn communities and institutional communication channels;
  • Collaboration across offices, including Student Involvement, Residence Life, Human Resources, and the Compliance Office, to update programming annually and promote university-wide reach.

These efforts reinforce SCAD’s commitment to a safe, inclusive learning environment by educating the entire community on hazing prevention, reporting, and response.