ACU Policy on Hazing

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Abilene Christian University Policy on Hazing

(Revised for Compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act)


      • I. Policy Statement

        Abilene Christian University (ACU) is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus environment in alignment with its Christian mission. In keeping with state and federal law—including the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), Public Law No: 118–30 (2024), and Texas Education Code, Sections 37.151–37.157—ACU strictly prohibits hazing in all forms.

        II. Definition of Hazing

        In keeping with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, hazing is defined as:

        “Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by one student (or more) against another student (or students), regardless of consent, that—

        1. is connected to initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization affiliated with the institution; and
        2. contributes to a substantial risk of physical injury, mental harm, or degradation; and
        3. is intended to cause or actually causes physical injury, humiliation, harassment, or mental/emotional distress.”

        This definition supplements the State of Texas definition of hazing and will apply to all ACU students and recognized organizations.

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        III. Scope of Prohibited Conduct

        Prohibited hazing conduct includes but is not limited to:

        • Physical brutality (e.g., whipping, beating, branding)
        • Forced consumption of any substance
        • Acts intended to produce mental/emotional stress
        • Sleep deprivation or confinement
        • Any activity that causes or is likely to cause embarrassment, humiliation, or degradation
        • Any ridicule and discipline for not remembering or learning organization traditions or members’ names.
        • Any type of verbal abuse or intimidation of a student.
        • Any type of personal servitude or requirement to purchase goods for organization members.
        • Any repetitive physical activity that could be considered calisthenic in nature.
        • Any activity that requires students to endure environments that create physical or emotional discomfort or that endanger one’s physical safety.
        • Any blindfolding of students creating an environment which endangers them through restricting their senses.
        • Any type of humiliation based on the physical or personal characteristics or personal convictions of students.
        • Any activity requiring students to place themselves in any foreign substance or shaving or otherwise marking their bodies.
        • Any activity that requires students to partially or fully disrobe.
        • Any activity which creates significant emotional trauma for a student.
        • Any physical abuse that coerces or forces students to eat or drink anything or place any foreign object in any orifice of the body.
        • Any requirement to endure environments that create extreme physical or emotional discomfort or endanger physical safety.
        • Any “dogging”, abandoning, binding, or confining of students.
        • Any failure to comply with the directives of an advisor or any university official.
        • Any activity that constitutes a negative form of group discipline or punishment.
        • Any activity which involves hinting, suggesting, urging, etc. that a student perform some type of action that is a violation of law and/or the university Code of Conduct.

        Consent to hazing is not a defense under this policy.

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      • III-a. Summary of Texas Hazing Law

        In keeping with Texas Education Code §§ 37.151–37.157, hazing is also prohibited by state law. Texas law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus, 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 an organization. Such acts include but are not limited to:

        • Physical brutality
        • Sleep deprivation
        • Forced ingestion of substances
        • Coercing activities that subject students to unreasonable risk
        • Any activity that intimidates, threatens, ostracizes, embarrasses, or adversely affects mental health

        This summary is published in keeping with state law. It will be distributed to all students no later than the 14th day before the first class day of each fall or spring semester.

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        IV. Reporting and Transparency

        In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act:

        • ACU will collect and report hazing-related statistics annually through its federally mandated Annual Security Report (ASR) under the Jeanne Clery Act.
        • ACU will maintain and publicly post a Hazing Transparency Report, updated biannually, listing any reported incidents, findings, and resulting disciplinary actions involving hazing by student organizations. This report will comply with the requirements of both the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Texas Education Code § 51.936(c), and will remain available on the ACU website for a period of five years.

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        V. Education and Prevention

        ACU will provide annual hazing prevention training and awareness programming for all students and especially for:

        • Members of student organizations, athletic teams, and Greek life
        • New students during orientation
        • Student leaders and advisors

        These programs will include information about the definition of hazing, how to report hazing, and the consequences of participation in or failure to report hazing.

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      • VI. Reporting Procedures

        All members of the university community are encouraged to report suspected hazing. Reports may be made to:

        • The Dean of Students Office
        • The ACU Police Department
        • A student organization advisor/sponsor
        • The Director of Student Organizations and Activities

        Reports may also be made anonymously via the university’s online reporting system.

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      • VII. Sanctions

        Any student or student organization found responsible for hazing may be subject to:

        • Disciplinary action
        • Suspension or revocation of university recognition
        • Referral to law enforcement, as appropriate

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      • VIII. Organizations Disciplined for Hazing Violations

        ACU will maintain and publicly post a record of student organizations that have been disciplined for hazing for the time periods prescribed in the Stop Campus Hazing Act and by Texas law.

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        IX. Contact Information

        For questions or to report hazing, contact:

        Dean of Students Office
        Phone: (325) 674-2067
        Email: deanofstudents@acu.edu

        ACU Police Department
        Phone: (325) 674-2305

        Student Engagement Office

        Phone: 325-674-6818
        Email: ram20b@acu.edu

        Online reporting

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