Contents
Catalog Links
Share

Anti-Hazing Policy

AIUS is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment that fosters positive experiences and academic growth for our students.

Hazing is defined as an intentional or reckless act committed against a person or persons, regardless of their willingness to participate, that:

  1. Is committed as a requirement for initiation into, affiliation with, or maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
  2. Causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury beyond a reasonable risk associated with enrollment at an institution or membership in an organization, and/or meets the definition of “hazing” under applicable state law, including but not limited to the “Max Gruver Act” in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61) or the Texas Education Code, Sections 37.151(6) and 327.154
  3. Such acts include, but are not limited to:
    1. Physical abuse, harm, or injury perpetrated either by direct physical interaction (e.g., whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity) or by forced physical activities (e.g., excessive sit-ups, sleep deprivation, or confinement in a small space);
    2. Using threatening words or conduct in a manner that causes a person reasonable fear of bodily harm;
    3. Forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances, or any activity that involves coercing, as defined by Section 1.07 of the Texas Penal Code, a student to consume drugs or alcohol in any amount;
    4. Forcing, coercing or otherwise inducing another to engage in sexual acts;
    5. Violations of AIUS policies, including but not limited to the Student Code of Conduct policy and the Sexual Harassment Policy Under Title IX; or
    6. Any activity against another person, or that induces or requires another person to, violate local, State, or Federal law.

AIUS prohibits hazing of or by its students, regardless of whether it occurs as part of a group that is recognized or established by the institution or not. Individuals who are involved in or aware of an incident of hazing involving students should contact Ombudsman@aiuniv.edu or the Campus Security Authority to report their concern. AIUS will collect all relevant information from the reporting individual, including the names of people and/or organizations involved, dates, where it happened, and a specific description of what happened. A reporting party will be asked to provide as much detail as possible to aid in the institution’s ability to investigate the concerns. Upon receipt of a report of hazing, AIUS will assess the urgency of the incident to determine if there is an ongoing threat to the community and conduct an investigation.

If it is discovered that a member of an organization affiliated with the AIUS community has violated the terms of this or any other institutional policy, they will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the institution and/or termination of employment (if applicable), and revocation of affiliation for organizations involved in the incident. Students are encouraged to report hazing incidents regardless of their involvement in the incident being reported. Students reporting a hazing incident in good faith who have also violated an AIUS policy will have their situation evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether sanctions are warranted given the specific circumstances of the incident; where mitigating factors are present, sanctions may be lowered or waived. Individuals who are believed to have violated state laws related to hazing may also be subject to criminal charges.

Individuals involved in an incident of hazing who have experienced physical harm are encouraged to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you are in danger or see someone else in danger as a result of a hazing incident, you should immediately call 911.

Anti-Hazing Prevention and Awareness Campaigns

AIUS prohibits hazing in any form. In an effort to promote awareness and prevent incidents of hazing within the campus community, AIUS conducts outreach on an annual basis to students, staff, and faculty to inform them of the definition of hazing, applicable policies prohibiting the act, and options for reporting and investigation. This information is distributed to these individuals, and is readily available on the Student Portal.

Up one level