SPORT CLUB GUIDEBOOK - HAZING

What is Hazing?
- Any act committed against a student who is trying to join a new group that is humiliating, demeaning, or endangers the student’s health and safety.
- Occurs regardless of consent or willingness to participate.  If you choose not to take part but knew what was going on, you are part of the problem.  It’s called passive participation.
- Even the creation of an environment that promotes or allows hazing can be considered hazing.

No Hazing Policy—Clubs must abide by all State of Florida Hazing Laws
Any group or individual action or activity that inflicts or intends to inflict physical or mental harm or discomfort or which may demean, disgrace, or degrade any person, regardless of location, intent, or consent of participant(s). Although hazing is related to a person's initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any student group or organization, it is not necessary to have direct proof that a person's initiation or continued membership is contingent upon participation in the activity for a charge of hazing to be upheld. The actions of either active or associate members of an organization may be considered hazing. Hazing includes, but is not limited to:
- Interference with a student's academic performance.
- Forced consumption of any food, alcohol, other drugs, or any other substance.
- Forced physical activity, such as calisthenics.
- Deprivation of food or sleep.
- Kidnapping
- Hazardous exposure to the elements
- Any activity that would subject the individual to embarrassment or humiliation.
Please refer to the Florida State University Hazing Policy in the FSU Student Handbook for more details or visit the Hazing Education Initiative website at http://hazing.fsu.edu/.

In the State of Florida, Hazing is a Criminal Offense
A person commits hazing, a third degree felony, when he or she intentionally or recklessly commits any act of hazing upon another person who is a member of or an applicant to any type of student organization and the hazing results in serious bodily injury or death of such other person.                           
A person commits hazing, a first degree misdemeanor, when he or she intentionally or recklessly commits any act of hazing upon another person who is a member of or an applicant to any type of student organization and the hazing creates a substantial risk of physical injury or death to such other person.
It is not a defense to a charge of hazing that:
- The consent of the victim had been obtained
- The conduct or activity that resulted in the death or injury of a person was not part of an official organizational event or was not otherwise sanctioned or approved by the organization
- The conduct or activity that resulted in death or injury of the person was not done as a condition of membership to an organization.

Hazing does not achieve	Hazing does achieve
Discipline	Distrust and anger
Bonding or togetherness	A power trip for perpetrator
Group strength	Humiliation
Respect for members	Victimization and abuse
Better job performance	Injuries and possibly death

How Do We Eliminate Hazing?
- Climate and environment change.
- Incoming club members will model after what they see from veteran club members.  Veterans need to change the culture now, so that in the future young club members will not allow a hazing culture to exist.

Questions to Ask Yourself
- Is this a group activity where members are encouraged to attend and where any minors are consuming alcohol?
- Will current group members refuse to do exactly what new members are asked to do?
- Is there risk of emotional or physical abuse?
- Is there any risk for injury or is safety a question?
- Would you invite your parents, supervisor or university official?
- Would you object to being photographed or video taped by the media or school paper?

Danger of Social Networking Websites
Sport clubs need to be especially careful when posting club related pictures or material on social networking web sites (i.e., Facebook, Community Web shots, etc.).  These sites are open to the public and the content on these sites can be directly associated with your club, including any photos that appear to be hazing.  Please remember to only post content that is suitable for public exposure.  Educate all members of the club to use caution when using these sites.

Insurance and Medical Considerations
1.    The university holds NO blanket insurance policy for sport club participants.  Consequently, all club members are strongly encouraged to purchase some type of personal comprehensive accident-health insurance.  An injured participant is responsible for all financial obligations incurred and any treatment necessitated by injury.  Club officers should notify their members of this fact.
2.    The university does not provide insurance for club members while traveling.  Club members are responsible for their own auto insurance and passengers if traveling with private vehicle.  Passengers in private vehicles that are driven by club members are at the sole risk of the driver. 
3.   Sport Clubs at FSU are responsible for their events and activities, as well as the actions or negligence of the organization membership.
4.    Each participant is always responsible for his/her own well being when participating with the group he/she is affiliated.
5.    Each participant shares with the other members the concern and responsibilities of safety and agrees to follow safe procedures and to avoid any unnecessary, hazardous situations.
6.    Participants are encouraged to discuss with the FSU Student Health Center medical staff or with their family doctor any known physical problems which may limit participation in the club sports program.  This should be handled before participation.
7.   It is highly recommended that all participants in club sports receive a physical examination from a physician prior to participation.
8.    Participants are encouraged to wear proper dress and appropriate protective equipment.  If the participant chooses not to use such equipment, the participant must realize that he/she is doing so at his/her own risk.
9.    Participants are responsible for proper conditioning as a prerequisite for participation.
10.  Arrangements will be made to have proper supervision at home club contests to be held on campus that have been properly scheduled through the Sport Club Office.