Anti-Hazing Statement
In alignment with the Federal Anti-Hazing Law: Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), and to allow students to make informed choices about joining organizations, the university publishes the Campus Hazing Transparency Report. The University will update this information a minimum of twice each year, but typically within 14 business days of a final finding of responsibility for hazing. For the year beginning January 1, 2025 to December 23, 2025, no campus hazing violations have been reported.
All students and organizations at UT Southern are responsible for encouraging an atmosphere of learning, social responsibility and respect for human dignity and for providing a positive influence and constructive development for members and aspiring members. All organizations are expected to utilize good judgment to determine the abilities of individual students as they relate to organizational activities and requirements.
No student or organization of the university shall engage in hazing or commit an act that injures, frightens, degrades, or disgraces a person attending the University. Students and/or organizations involved in hazing shall be subject to disciplinary action as per the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.
UTS Student Code of Conduct Prohibits Hazing
The UTS Student Code of Conduct, Section 1720-07-01-.04 (10) defines hazing as any intentional or reckless act, on or off University-controlled property, by one (1) student, acting alone or with others, which is directed against any other student, which endangers the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that student, or which induces or coerces a student to endanger his or her mental or physical health, safety, or welfare. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization, regardless of the student’s willingness to participate. View the full UTS Student Code of Conduct.
Tennessee Anti-Hazing Law Prohibits Hazing
(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
1) “Hazing” means any intentional or reckless act in Tennessee on or off the property of any higher education institution by one (1) student acting alone or with others which is directed against any other student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student, or which induces or coerces a student to endanger such student’s mental or physical health or safety. “Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization; and
(2) “Higher education institution” means a public or private college, community college or university.
(b) Each higher education institution shall adopt a written policy prohibiting hazing by any student or organization operating under the sanction of the institution. The policy shall be distributed or made available to each student at the beginning of each school year. Time shall be set aside during orientation to specifically discuss the policy and its ramifications as a criminal offense and the institutional penalties that may be imposed by the higher education institution.
49-2-120. Prohibition against hazing
a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, “hazing” means any intentional or reckless act in this state, on or off LEA property, by one (1) student acting alone or with others, that is directed against any other student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student or that induces or coerces a student to endanger that student’s mental or physical health or safety. “Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization.
b) The governing body of each LEA shall adopt a written policy prohibiting hazing by any student or organization operating under the sanction of the LEA. The policy shall be distributed or made available to each student at the beginning of each school year. During the first month of each new school year, time shall be set aside to specifically discuss the policy and its ramifications as a criminal offense and the penalties that may be imposed by the LEA.
Are you or someone you know being hazed? Submit a hazing report or contact Student Experience or Campus Safety and Security.
Sarah Catherine Richardson
Student Experience
P: 931-424-4073
Daniel Scherr
Interim Director of Campus Safety and Security
P: 931-363-9871