V - 1.00 Policy on Hazing

I. Purpose

Bowie State University (“University”) is committed to promoting a safe learning environment where the dignity of all students is respected. Hazing is a fundamental violation of human dignity and is a risk to human life. The University considers hazing, as defined below, to be indefensible and contrary to the interests of the University community. The policy is intended to minimize risk by strictly prohibiting hazing and providing guidance on reporting, investigation, and discipline in the event of hazing.

Participation in any hazing activity is against the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Maryland State law, and the University’s Code of Student Conduct. The University strictly prohibits participation in hazing activities by any party, regardless of the existence of consent. Hazing activities do not contribute to the positive development or welfare of students. Bowie State University recognizes the act of hazing as illegal, irresponsible, intolerable, and inconsistent with the principles of higher education and basic human development.

Accordingly, this policy strictly prohibits participation in hazing activities by all parties. This policy includes a summary of the provisions of the law as it relates to hazing.

II. Definitions

2.1. “Pledge,” “applicant,” or “candidate” means any person who has been accepted by, is considering an offer of membership from, or is in the process of qualifying for membership in an organization.

2.2. “Pledging” means any action or activity related to becoming a member of an organization.

2.3 “Student” means any person who:

is registered in or in attendance at an educational institution;
has been accepted for admission at the educational institution where the hazing incident occurred; or
intends to attend an educational institution during any of its regular sessions after a period of scheduled vacation.

2.4 “Organization” means a fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, club, or student government, a band or musical group or an academic, athletic, cheerleading, or dance team, including any group or team that participates in National Collegiate Athletic Association competition, or a service, social, or similar group, whose members are primarily students which has been established, recognized or sponsored by the University.

2.5 “Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization if the act:

is any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity;
involves sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
involves consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance, which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
is any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code; or
involves coercing the student to consume:
1. a drug; or
2. an alcoholic beverage or liquor in an amount that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student is intoxicated.

2.6 “Underground” refers to any unauthorized, unsanctioned, or illegal membership intake activity occurring before, during, or after the approved membership intake process and guidelines established by the National Organization and its recognized campus charter.

III. Policy

Hazing is strictly prohibited by the University. Hazing includes any mental or physical requirement, request, or obligation that emphasizes one individual’s or a group’s power over and/or a perceived necessity/obligation to participate; that could cause pain, disgrace, or injury; that is personally degrading; and/or that violates federal, state, or local law, or University Policy.

Personal Hazing Offense - A person commits an offense if the person engages in hazing; solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing.
Organization Hazing Offense - An organization commits an offense if it condones or encourages hazing, or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges, or alumni of the organization commits or assists in the commission of hazing.

Consent Not a Defense

Consent to or acquiescence in hazing activity is not a defense. Any of the activities described herein where the initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, or continued membership in an organization is directly conditioned shall be presumed to be “compelled activities,” the willingness of an individual to participate notwithstanding. It is not a defense to the prosecution of an offense that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.

Examples of actions and activities which may constitute hazing include, but are not limited to, the following:

Compelling individuals to consume alcohol or drugs.
Paddling in any form, shoving, or otherwise striking individuals.
Compelling individuals to engage in sexual behaviors, sexual or racial harassment, or slurs or exhibitionism.
Compelling individuals to eat or drink unusual substances or compelling the consumption of undue amounts or odd preparations of food.
Having harmful substances thrown at, poured on, or otherwise applied to the bodies of individuals.
Morally degrading or humiliating games or activities that make an individual the object of amusement, ridicule, or intimidation.
Transporting individuals against their will, abandoning individuals at distant locations, or conducting any “kidnap,” “ditch,” or “road trip” that may in any way endanger or compromise the health, safety, or comfort of any individual.
Causing an individual to be indecently exposed or exposed to the elements.
Requiring an individual to remain in a fixed position for a long period of time.
Compelling an individual to be branded or tattooed.
“Line-ups” involving intense shouting of obscenities or insults.
Compelling individuals to participate in activities (pranks, scavenger hunts, etc.) which encourage the defacement of property; engage in theft; harass other individuals, groups of individuals, or organizations.
Excluding an individual from social contact for prolonged periods of time.
Compelling an individual to engage in acts of personal servitude.
Creation of excessive fatigue.
Requiring Individuals to shave all or parts of their heads.
Requiring activities that involve the deprivation of food or sleep.
Requiring late-night sessions that interfere with scholastic or occupational activities.
Requiring any physically abusive exercise.

Responsibility of the Organization

The organization is responsible for ensuring that its activities comply with this policy. If it is unclear whether an activity constitutes hazing, it should be dropped or discussed with the appropriate University official prior to further participation. Questions regarding the acceptability of a proposed organizational activity should be discussed with the Dean of Students office.

IV. Reporting, Review, Investigation, Discipline, and Appeal

Reporting

It is the responsibility of any and all individuals who have firsthand knowledge of the planning or actual occurrence of a hazing activity to promptly report said knowledge to one or all of the following areas.

Department of Public Safety and Campus Police
The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
The Division of Student Affairs
The Office of Greek Life & Community Service
The Title IX Office

Review and Investigation

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) is responsible for the supervision, administration, and enforcement of all University Policies related to student conduct.

All reported information shall be reviewed by the OSCCS to determine the appropriate steps for resolution.
Interim health and safety measures may be issued pursuant to the interim measures outlined in this Code. Interim measures shall be communicated in writing to the student organization, typically through the chief student officer and the organization’s campus advisor. Interim measures are temporary measures applied through the duration of an investigation and/or resolution process and do not replace a resolution process as outlined in this Code.
A student organization, through its chief student officer, may request a review of an interim measure in writing to the Director of the OSCCS (or designee) within five (5) University business days from the effective date of the interim measure.
1. The scope of the request is limited to whether the interim measure(s) should remain in place, based on the information available.
2. The requesting student organization may provide information, including reports, witness statements, communications, or other documentation, for review.
3. The Director of the OSCCS (or designee) may schedule a meeting with the student organization upon receipt of the written request to review the request or to gather additional information.
4. Interim measures may be affirmed, modified, or lifted as a result of a requested review or as new information becomes available.
5. The Director of the OSCCS (or designee) will communicate the final decision in writing within a reasonable timeframe of the review meeting.
Investigations shall include a review of the submitted report and other additional information, such as that gathered from investigation meetings with involved individuals or groups. Any individuals or groups involved may be interviewed and asked to share information they have regarding the incident, including documents (e.g., text messages, photos, videos) and the identification of any additional witnesses who may provide direct information regarding the allegation(s).
Students and student organization representatives may be accompanied by an advisor of their choice. Individuals are encouraged to participate in the process to allow for as thorough an investigation as possible; however, an individual may decline to participate in the investigation process.
At the conclusion of an investigation, the OSCCS shall produce an investigation report to determine the appropriate referral, resolution, and/or dismissal in accordance with University policy.

Discipline

Discipline and sanctions will be handled by the OSCCS as described in the Student Code of Conduct and the Student Organization Code of Conduct. Retaliation against any individual, including victims of hazing, good-faith reporters, witnesses, and/or cooperating individuals, is prohibited and may result in further disciplinary action.

Appeal

Once a finding is made by the Student Conduct panel, the respondent generally has five (5) university business days from the date of the written notice to submit a request for an appeal. Requests for appeals are decided by the Dean of Students or the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, where the Dean of Students was the original decision maker.

V. Hazing Prevention and Education

Bowie State University provides research-based resources to inform our campus community about Hazing. This encompasses communications to the campus community regarding prevention, the adverse effects of Hazing, details concerning this Policy, and procedures for reporting suspected incidents.

Bowie State University mandates annual Hazing prevention training for all Students involved in registered Student Organizations, athletic teams, and fraternities and sororities. This comprehensive training provides students with education on the definition of Hazing, University policies, reporting procedures, bystander intervention, and safe, inclusive alternatives to traditional initiation practices. Participation in this training is a required condition for organizational registration, team participation, and membership eligibility.

VI. Campus Hazing Transparency Report

As required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act, the University will publish online any findings involving Hazing in a prominent location in its Annual Security Report (“ASR”).

In addition, the University will publish an online “Campus Hazing Transparency Report” (the “Report”) in a prominent location, updated at least twice a year (if indicated), that summarizes findings concerning any Student Organization found responsible for a Hazing violation under this Policy. This Report shall include: the name of the Student Organization; a description of the Policy violation including whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs; the University’s findings; any sanctions imposed on the Student Organization; the date of the alleged incident; the date the investigation was initiated; the date the investigation ended with a finding of a Policy violation; and the date the University provided notice to the Student Organization that the incident resulted in a Policy violation.

VII. Resources

Police & Public Safety, 301-860-4040

Henry Wise Wellness Center, 301-860-4170

Counseling Center, counselingservices@bowiestate.edu

Student Conduct and Community Standards, studentconduct@bowiestate.edu

Student Affairs, Dean of Students, ajennings@bowiestate.edu

Coordinator, Greek Life and Community Service

Title IX Coordinator, titleixcoordinator@bowiestate.edu

Clery Center, https://www.clerycenter.org/

VIII. Responsible Official

Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

IX. Related State Laws

Maryland Anti-Hazing Law, MD. Code., Criminal Law, § 3-607 (2024)

(a) A person may not recklessly or intentionally do an act or create a situation that subjects a student to the risk of serious bodily injury for the purpose of an initiation into a student organization of a school, college, or university.

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

X. Related Policies

BSU Student Code of Conduct

BSU Student Organization Code of Conduct

BSU Dept. of Athletics Hazing Policy

NPHC Joint Statement Against Hazing

Effective: June 23, 2025