UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
POLICY ON HAZING
The state of California and the University of California have expressly and repeatedly asserted their opposition to hazing and pre-initiation activities, which do not contribute to the positive development and welfare of members, associate members or prospective members of any organization. Any party who participates in hazing or being hazed will be held accountable under these policies. Exceptions will be made for those individuals who are victims of hazing and report the incident to Student Judicial Affairs. The following is from the Education Code of the state of California and applies to UC Santa Cruz.
EDUCATION CODE 32050-32052, “HAZING” (32050)
As used in this article, "hazing" includes any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization which causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical harm or mental harm, to any student or other person attending any school, community college, college, university or other educational institutions in this state; but the term "hazing" does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR HAZING (32051)
No student, or other person in attendance at any public, private, parochial, or military school, community college, college, or other educational institution, shall conspire to engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any fellow student or person attending the institution.
The violation of this section is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), or more than five thousand dollars ($5000), or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both.
FORFEITURE OF FUNDS AND/OR LOSS OF UNIVERSITY RECOGNITION DUE TO PARTICIPATION IN HAZING (32052)
Any person who participates in the hazing of another, or any corporation or association which knowingly permits hazing to be conducted by its members or by others subject to its direction or control, shall forfeit any entitlement to public funds, scholarships, or awards which are enjoyed by him, by her, or by it and shall be deprived of any sanction or approval granted by any public educational institution or agency.
The governing board of any public school, public college, public university or other public educational institution or agency shall adopt rules and regulations to implement this section.
If the attorney General or the district attorney of any county or city has reason to believe that a forfeiture should be declared under this section, he or she may institute a special proceeding in the superior court to establish such forfeiture. Any funds so forfeited shall be deposited in the State Treasury and credited to the State School Fund.
University of California, Santa Cruz Definition of Hazing
Campus hazing policies embody the University’s concerns for protecting the safety and welfare of students; these policies prohibit any activity “that humiliates or degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.” (StopHazing.org: Educating to Eliminate Hazing). Rules prohibiting hazing apply to registered student organizations, sports teams, and other student groups.
It is against the law for students or student organizations to conduct any activities that involve “hazing.” Violations may result in student/organization disciplinary action, loss of registration for student organizations, and/or referral to campus/local law enforcement agencies.
Actions and activities that may constitute Hazing include, but are not limited to, the following*:
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Forms of physical activity not part of an organized, voluntary athletic contest or not specifically directed toward constructive work.
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Any activity that might reasonably bring physical harm to the individual.
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Paddling, beating, or otherwise permitting someone to hit another individual.
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Requiring one to wear any degrading or uncomfortable garments.
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Depriving one of the opportunity for sufficient sleep (6 hours per day minimum), decent and edible meals, or access to means of maintaining body cleanliness.
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Activities interfering with one’s academic efforts by causing exhaustion, loss of sleep, or reasonable study time.
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Requiring one to consume large amounts of food, alcohol or other substance or beverage.
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Forcing, coercing, or permitting one to eat or drink foreign or unusual substances such as raw meat, raw eggs, salt water, onions, etc.
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Having substances such as eggs, paint, honey, etc. thrown at, poured on, or otherwise applied to the bodies or clothing of individuals.
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Morally degrading or humiliating games or any other activities that make an individual the object of amusement, ridicule, or intimidation.
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Kidnaps, road trips, etc., which are conducted in a manner that endangers the health or safety of an individual.
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Subjecting one to cruel or unusual psychological conditions for any reason.
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Any requirement which compels someone to participate in any activity which is illegal, perverse, publicly indecent, contrary to the individual’s genuine moral and/or religious beliefs, or contrary to the rules, policies and regulations of the university.
*These rules apply to undergraduate, graduate, alumni, potential or active members.
source:http://www2.ucsc.edu/judicial/handbook08-09/WebView/AppendixE.html