At Valdosta State University, we are committed to providing a safe educational environment for our students and student organizations. As outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, hazing is a violation of state law and is strictly prohibited by Valdosta State University both on and off-campus. Violation of this policy may result in both disciplinary action and criminal charges.

In compliance with the , and the , Valdosta State University will publicly disclose administrative adjudication of hazing or hazing-related convictions. The laws require that institutions establish policies to facilitate the:
(1) Reporting, investigation, provision of due process, and administrative adjudication of alleged incidents of hazing as related to students and student organizations; and
(2) Public disclosure of administrative adjudications of hazing or hazing-related convictions within 15 calendar days of final adjudication or public notice of criminal conviction.

Each year, the university submits an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (often referred to as the ASR) in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. This report is completed with the assistance of the university’s Clery Committee and shared with the university community by the University Police Department, who has direct oversight of the report. This report is required to list any and all of the hazing statistics for the year. The 2024 report can be found at /administration/finance-admin/police/documents/2024-asfr.pdf.

Statistics (findings, sanctions, and/or convictions) prior to 2024 are included in the 'Hazing Related Findings' tab, which will be updated as often as required. If in any academic year there are no acts of hazing which occurred or were reported, that information will also be disclosed on this page. Public disclosure shall not include the personal identifying information of any individual student and shall be subject to the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

“The term ‘hazing’, for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents under paragraph (1)(F)(iv) [of the Stop Campus Hazing Act], means 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--
    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 criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law."

School/student organization means an organization (such as a club, society, association, corporation, order, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, student government, or group living together) in which two or more of the members are enrolled students or alumni, including local affiliate organizations, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

School/student organizations that are referred to the conduct process will be represented by the president, or their designee, of that organization.

Complaints or reports of hazing should be reported to the Office of Student Conduct & Title IX by way of the online student conduct , by phone at 229-333-5409, in person or via phone to University Police/(229) 333-7816, in person to any housing and residence life staff person, student affairs employee, or faculty member. Reports can also be made anonymously by calling the Compliance and Ethics hotline toll-free at 877-516-3470 or by completing the form found at .  Where appropriate, complainants may file a law enforcement report along with an institutional report.

Complaints or reports should include as much information as possible – such as: (1) the type of misconduct alleged; (2) the name and contact information of the persons involved; (3) the date(s), time(s), and place(s) of the misconduct; (4) the name(s) and contact information of any individual(s) with knowledge of the incident; (5) whether any tangible evidence has been preserved; and (6) whether a criminal complaint has been made.

Information from complaints or reports may be shared as necessary to investigate and to resolve the alleged misconduct. The need to issue a broader warning to the community in compliance with the Clery Act shall be assessed in compliance with federal law.

Several steps are taken when investigating violations of the Student Code of Conduct, which includes hazing. All investigations are thorough, reliable, impartial, prompt, and fair. Those steps involve:
          1. interviewing all available relevant parties and witnesses;
          2. obtaining available, relevant evidence;
          3. when necessary and available, identify expert witnesses;
          4. when necessary, contacting nationals or other local/state entities.

Parties all have the opportunity to suggest witnesses and questions, to provide evidence and expert witnesses, and to review and respond to all evidence on the gathered.

Steps taken during the investigation usually includes, and not necessarily in this order:
  • determining the identity of alleged parties
  • identifying all policies implicated by the alleged conduct
  • completing an initial assessment to determine if the alleged conduct is hazing and/or a violation of any other university policy
  • assignment of an investigator (s)
  • development of a strategic investigation plan to include a proposed timeline, list of witnesses, determining order of interviews, list of probable evidence to gather
  • sending the Notice of Investigation and Allegations to involved parties or designee if a student organization (usually the president)  
  • scheduling and completing interviews (conducting follow-ups as needed) and evidence gathering
  • allowing parties the opportunity to provide witnesses
  • completing the investigation in a timely manner, providing updates, if necessary, for any delays in timeline
  • completing a draft report, including all evidence gathered, to share with the director of Student Conduct and Title IX prior to submitting a final report
  • share the final report with parties prior to scheduling a hearing, if necessary

The university prohibits all acts of retaliation. Those who report alleged misconduct, including hazing, as well as those who participate in any aspect of the investigation and resolution process are protected from retaliation.

Acts of alleged retaliation should be reported immediately to the Director of Student Conduct and Title IX or the Student Conduct Coordinator and will be promptly investigated. Valdosta State University will take all appropriate and available steps to protect individuals who fear that they may be subjected to retaliation.

Adjudication