Hazing is defined as any action taken, or situation created intentionally, whether on or off-campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, ridicule, or the breaking of College rules. Hazing includes all ceremonies of induction, initiation, orientation, or private actions by individuals which tend to cause or allow mental or physical suffering are prohibited.

In compliance with the Georgia SB 85 “Max Gruver Act,” beginning July 1, 2021, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will publicly disclose administrative adjudications of hazing or hazing-related convictions. This information will be posted within 15 calendar days of final adjudication or public notice of conviction and remain posted for a period of not less than five years. Records will include the name of any school organization involved, date(s) of occurrence, as well as a description of specific hazing-related findings, sanctions, adjudications, and convictions for any person or school organization.

No organization with any affiliation of ABAC shall participate in hazing.

According to THE LAW hazing is…
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 any organization

Effective as of January 1, 2025 –
Hazing is defined as “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—
a. whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
b. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
c. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
d. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
e. any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
f. any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
g. 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.

PHYSICAL CONTACT:
If the Act INVOLVES any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electric shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.

PHYSICAL EXHAUST
If the Act INVOLVES any type of physical activity, such as 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.

CONSUMPTION
If the Act INVOLVES any activity involving consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or which adversely affects the mental or physical health of the student.
If the Act INVOLVES coercing, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, the student to consume and alcoholic beverage, liquor, or drug.

PENAL CODE:
IS any activity that includes, causes, or requires the student to preform a duty or task which involves a violation of the Penal Code.

MENTAL/EMOTIONAL:
IS any activity that A REASONABLE PERSON WOULD BELIEVE intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation, or adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution, or may reasonably be expected to cause the student to leave the organization or the institution rather than submit to THE ACTIVITY.

Would I feel comfortable participating in this activity if my parents were watching?
Would we get in trouble if a
school/college administrator walked by and saw us?
Am I being asked to keep these activities a secret?
Am I doing anything illegal?
Does participation in this activity violate my values or those of this organization?
Is this causing emotional or physical distress or stress to myself or to others?
Am I going to be able to get a job if I have to put a criminal arrest on my application?

Email the ABAC Dean of Students at deanofstudents@abac.edu

Fill out a Hazing Report Form at https://www.abac.edu/hazing/

Stallions Don't Haze.