G-029 Hazing

On December 24, 2024, Stop Campus Hazing Act (“the Act”) was signed into law. The Act went into effect January 1, 2025, and requires campuses to collect and disclose statistics on hazing incidents in their Clery Act Annual Safety Report and in a new required report, the Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHT).

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) strives to create a safe learning environment for all students. Hazing and the mistreatment of others is inconsistent with the values of the SMSU and its stated values. All forms of hazing are prohibited.

Hazing Description

The Act defines hazing as “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 with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
2. causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including
   • whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
   • causing, coercing or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
   • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
   • causing, coercing or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
   • any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
   • any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
   • any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.”

Per the Act, a “student organization” means “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.”

Hazing Reporting

An incident of hazing may be reported in the following ways:

• Director of Student Conduct – 507-537-6470, Dave.Hemp@smsu.edu
• University Public Safety - 507-537-7252, FH 108 1st Floor
• Campus Security Authority (CSA) reporting form: https://www.smsu.edu/campuslife/publicsafety/forms/campus-security-authority-reporting.html
• Silent Witness  https://www.smsu.edu/campuslife/publicsafety/forms/silentwitness.html

Related Documents

Federal Law: Title 20 USC 1092
Minnesota State Law:  135A.155 HAZING POLICY.
Board Policy: Board Policy 3.6 Student Conduct
G-029.1, “Hazing Investigation”
SMSU Athletics Policy:  SMSU Student Athlete Handbook

Policy History

Date of Adoption: July 1, 2025
Date of Last Review:

Date and Subject of Amendments

7/1/2025 - Initial creation of policy