ASU Hazing Disclosure- Max Gruver Act

Introduction

Welcome to the Albany State University’s (ASU) disclosure website on Hazing. ASU seeks to foster a safe and healthy environment built on mutual respect and trust. At the very basis of the University's mission is the recognition of the essential dignity and worth of each member of the University community. Hazing is a serious violation of these principles. As such, ASU will not tolerate hazing activities by any individuals, groups, teams, or registered/unregistered student organizations. The University encourages all members of its community to be aware of the serious nature of hazing and challenges its members to work together to prevent its occurrence

ASU Definition of Hazing

To subject a student to an activity which: (1) endangers or is likely to endanger the physical health of a student; (2) forces or coerces the student through the use of social or physical pressure to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the student to a likely risk of vomiting, intoxication, or unconsciousness; or (3) causes an individual pain, embarrassment, ridicule or harassment as a condition or precondition of gaining acceptance, membership, office or other status in a student group, whether or not such group is formally recognized by the university.

For purposes of this definition, Hazing occurs regardless of whether the action, activity, or situation is intentionally, negligently, or recklessly caused, and regardless of a student's willingness to participate. Also, for purposes of this definition, “student group” or “school organization” means any association, corporation, order, club, society, fraternity, sorority, athletic team, or a group living together which has students or alumni as its principal members, including local affiliate organizations.

Any other activity that meets the definition of “hazing” under applicable law, including but not limited to the “Max Gruver” Legislation Senate Bill 85 (see the following link for full policy: Max Gruver Legislation)

HAZING 101

Involves a power difference between those in a group and those who want to join, or between senior and junior members of a group, usually as a condition of entry or acceptance.
Involves an intentional action or situation that creates embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule or causes mental or physical distress to the participants.
Is not relevant to the group’s purpose, or is relevant but excessive.

Hazing Red Flags:

Activities meant to ‘earn’ a place within an organization or team that are inconsistent with someone’s character or values.
Activities that are embarrassing or mentally/physically abusive.
Forced or coerced abuse of alcohol.
Personal servitude or meaningless tasks.

Students Don’t Always Recognize Hazing as Hazing

In fact, 9 out of 10 students who have experienced it do not consider themselves to have been hazed. Why? Because it is difficult to accept that it is hazing when it becomes part of your identity.

NEW MEMBER PROGRAM IDEAS

Teambuilding/Leadership

New Member Class Expectations - Have the new member class create its own list of expectations. Encourage the group to challenge each other and hold one another accountable to the list.

Leader Interviews -Ask each new member to be responsible for identifying someone in the chapter they think is a leader and interviewing him/her.
Conflict Management - Help new members learn about conflict management and how to deal with conflict.
Officer Shadowing - Have new members shadow an officer for the week
Talent Showcase-Host a talent showcase in which potential new members portray an issue, topic or passion that is important to them in a unique and creative way that would illustrate their talents and personality.
Officer Presentations - Have officers serve as guest speakers at each new member meeting to explain their duties and responsibilities.
Leadership Conference - Have a mini leadership conference with the new members. Invite initiated members to present different topics to them. Also, encourage the new members to present
Involvement - Encourage all new members to get involved with another student organization by the end of their first year

Character Building/Values

Alumni Panel - Invite a panel of prominent alumni to recollect their experiences of chapter membership and how they have been able to transfer those experiences to life beyond college. This would be perfect to set the tone for initiation. If no alumni live in the area, have them write a letter instead and read it the night before initiation.
Values Essay - Have new members draft an essay about what values they think the fraternity/sorority letters represent based on the organization’s actions and values before initiation—see how close they get. That will tell you if the chapter is living its values in a visible way to others

Day of Reflection - Plan a day (or a few hours) of reflection for all members on a non-class day. This is designed to help all members spend time reflecting on the organization and what it means to them. Provide a notebook with reflection questions and a quiet, relaxing place for all members to take this time.
Personal Goals - Develop personal goals related to membership in the organization. Answer the question, “What do you want to get out of this experience?”
Letter to the Founders - Ask new members to write a “letter to the founders” to thank them for their vision for starting the organization.

Professional Skills/Networking

Professional Organizations - Identify professional organizations of interest to the group (i.e. National Association of Black Accountants, etc.) and describe the organization’s objectives and membership requirements. Prepare information on the background and history of the organization for discussion with the entire organization.

Professional Advice - Identify at least ten alumni of the organization from different professions and secure from these individuals a brief piece of advice for anyone starting out in that profession and on how to be successful in his/her profession. The information and advice should be shared with the members of the organization.
Have the new member class co-sponsor an event with another new member class (fraternity with fraternity; sorority with sorority).
Social - Have the new members plan a dry social with a chapter from another council
Inter-chapter Meeting - Have the new members contact another fraternity/sorority on campus to meet and talk about their new member experiences and what it means to be a member of their chapter

Diversity

Cultural Dinner - Plan an ethnic/cultural dinner where potential new members from two or more organizations bring and share foods related to their culture and heritage. Each dish should have a place card indicating its name, origin (if known) and cultural significance.
Religious Activity - Attend a nearby church/synagogue/ temple/etc. as a chapter

Hazing Reporting

Effective July 1, 2021, as mandated by law, ASU will, before the first-class day of the Fall and Spring semesters, provide each enrolled student a summary of the Hazing Policy, and a copy of the ASU Hazing Report, which provides information regarding:

reporting, investigation, provision of due process, and administrative adjudication of alleged incidents of hazing as related to students and student organizations; and
public disclosure of administrative adjudications of hazing or hazing related convictions within 15 calendar days of final adjudication or public notice of criminal conviction.

The public disclosure of each incident of hazing adjudicated criminal convictions for hazing, and other criminal convictions arising from any incident of hazing shall be posted prominently on the university’s website for a period of not less than five years after final adjudication or conviction. The information will include (1) The name of any school organization involved; (2) The date or dates on which the hazing occurred; and (3) A description of the specific hazing related findings, sanctions, adjudications, and convictions for any person or school organization. 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).

If it is an emergency call University Police at (229) 430-4711 or 911, if off-campus.

Report A Hazing Incident

All fields must be completed by the individual filing the report. Individuals wishing to submit an addendum to the form or their statement must do so in writing to Angelnique Jordan, Assistant Dean for Student Support and Director for Student Conduct.

Organization Violations

Student Group	Initial Date of Incident	Summary of Findings	Summary of Sanctions	Anticipated Reactivation Date*
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.	February 6, 2024	On April 24, 2024, found group responsible for hazing.	Suspended until end of Summer 2025	Fall 2025
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Zeta Psi Chapter	02/25/2022	On 04/14/2022, found group responsible for hazing.	Suspended until end of July 1, 2027	July 1, 2027