Fayetteville Policies and Procedures  520.0 

Hazing Prevention Policy

  1. Statement of Policy
    The University of Arkansas strictly prohibits hazing by any student, group, or organization, regardless of intent or consent. Hazing in any form violates not only University policy, including the Code of Student Life, but it also violates Arkansas law (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-5-201).  

    Not only does the University prohibit hazing, but it encourages peaceful efforts to prevent hazing, and to interrupt hazing, if observed. The University also strongly encourages anyone who experiences or witnesses hazing to report it promptly so it can be addressed.

    The University shall compile and disclose statistics on hazing incidents that are reported to campus security authorities and/or law enforcement in its annual security report, as required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f).

    By implementing this policy, the University reaffirms its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful campus environment that is free from hazing.

  2. Hazing Definition
    As defined in the Code of Student Life, hazing includes, but is not limited to, any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether done on or off campus property, that is committed by a person (whether alone or in concert with other people) against another person or group of people as a condition of initiation, admission, affiliation, or continued membership in any student organization, athletic team, or extracurricular group, regardless of the consent of the participants, that:
    1. Endangers or threatens to endanger the physical, mental, or emotional health or safety of an individual.
    2. Involves forced, coerced, or involuntary participation, regardless of consent.
    3. Inflicts or threatens to inflict humiliation, intimidation, or demeaning treatment, including acts that isolate, ostracize, shame, or psychologically manipulate individuals.
    4. Forces the participant to engage in physical activity, including but not limited to calisthenics, marching, or excessive exercise.
    5. Inflicts or threatens to inflict physical abuse in any form on the participant and may include, but is not limited to, paddling or striking.
    6. Forcibly moves, conceals, abandons, or transports the participant.
    7. Prevents academic engagement or class attendance.
    8. Causes mental distress or fear by intimidation, threats, or verbal abuse.
    9. Compels individuals to perform tasks, assume roles, or participate in activities that cause undue stress, exhaustion, or public embarrassment.
    10. Restricts basic personal liberties, including personal hygiene, sleep, nutrition, or requirements for well-being.
    11. Enforces secrecy regarding initiation, membership requirements, or organizational rituals in a way that contributes to fear, uncertainty, or manipulation.
    12. Requires individuals to complete menial, demeaning, or excessive tasks.
    13. Involves verbal, physical, or psychological harassment.
    14. Involves the illegal or unauthorized presence or use of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances.
    15. Requires participation in the consumption of substances, including food, alcohol, or drugs, against one’s will.
    16. Forces or otherwise induces individuals to violate University policies, state laws, or federal laws.

      Customary athletic training, events, or competitions affiliated with an athletic team are not considered hazing unless they violate the principles outlined above.

  3. Reporting of Hazing Allegations
    Any student, faculty member, or staff member who experiences, witnesses, or has information about hazing is strongly encouraged to report the incident to the University.

    Reports of suspected hazing may be made online at REPORT.UARK.EDU. Reports may also be made directly, in person or online or by phone, to:

    Office of Student Accountability
    Pomfret Hall B 110
    (479) 575-5170
    accountability@uark.edu

    University of Arkansas Police Department
    Administrative Services Building, 155 S. Razorback Road
    (479) 575-2222

    In the event of an emergency, the reporting party should call 911.

    When making a report of suspected hazing, the reporting party is encouraged to provide as much specific detail (i.e., names, dates, times, locations, nature of the behavior, etc.) as possible so that appropriate action may be taken.

    Reports may be made anonymously, though lack of contact information may hinder the University’s ability to fully investigate the allegation. To the extent possible, the identity of the reporting party will be kept confidential.

  4. Investigation and Disciplinary Actions
    Upon receiving a report of hazing, the University’s Office of Student Accountability will conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with the Code of Student Life. Reports of hazing may be adjudicated as individual and/or organizational matters.

    If, at the conclusion of the investigative and adjudicative processes, hazing is confirmed, disciplinary actions will be imposed and may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Suspension or expulsion of involved students;
    2. Revocation of organizational recognition and/or funding; and/or
    3. Mandatory educational interventions for involved parties.

      The University of Arkansas will publicly disclose organizational hazing violations as required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act and provide educational programs to prevent hazing.

      Reports of criminal action may be investigated by UAPD or other law enforcement agencies and may result in criminal prosecution in accordance with local, state, and/or federal laws.

      Retaliation against an individual for reporting hazing, or for cooperating with an investigation of hazing, is a very serious matter and will be subject to discipline.

  5. Prevention and Education
    The University provides the following hazing prevention programs and educational opportunities for the campus community:
    1. Training Programs: The University uses Vector Solutions as its online training platform for students, faculty, and staff. Modules related to hazing prevention and bystander intervention are available to the campus community.
    2. Educational Campaigns: Ongoing workshops, guest speakers, and informational resources are provided to raise awareness about the dangers of hazing.
    3. Hazing Prevention Advisory Committee: This committee monitors compliance, assesses the effectiveness of training programs, and recommends policy updates as needed.

  6. Campus Hazing Transparency Report
    Beginning in December 2025, the University will publish – and subsequently update at least twice per year – a Campus Hazing Transparency Report that will summarize findings concerning any registered student organizations (“RSOs”) that are found responsible for hazing under the Code of Student Life. The Campus Hazing Transparency Report shall be published on the University’s STOPHAZING.UARK.EDU and shall include the following information:
    1. The name of the RSO; and
    2. A general description of the incident (including the date it was alleged to have occurred), the date the investigation into the incident began, the finding by the Office of Student Accountability (including the date the RSO was notified), and the sanctions imposed by the Office of Student Accountability on the RSO.

      Personally identifiable information about students, including any information that could potentially reveal personally identifiable information, shall not be included in the Campus Hazing Transparency Report.

  7. Arkansas State Law on Hazing
    The Arkansas state law prohibiting hazing can be found in sections 6-5-201 to 202 of the Arkansas Code. Among other things, the law provides that:
    1.  A student, alumnus, or volunteer or employee of a fraternal organization of a school, college, university, or other educational institution in Arkansas shall not knowingly engage in hazing or encourage, aid, or assist any other student, alumnus, or volunteer or employee of a fraternal organization in hazing.
      1.  A person shall not knowingly permit, encourage, aid, or assist another person in committing the offense of hazing, or knowingly acquiesce in the commission of the offense of hazing, or fail to report promptly his or her knowledge or any reasonable information within his or her knowledge of the presence and practice of hazing in this state to an appropriate administrative official of the school, college, university, or other educational institution in Arkansas.
    2.  An act of omission or commission is hazing under this subsection.

      Ark. Code Ann. § 6-5-202.

      Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor in the State of Arkansas and requires that any student convicted of hazing be expelled from the school, college, university, or other educational institution that he or she is attending.

      June 23, 2025