Hazing
USC School Board Policy
Our goal is to maintain a safe, positive environment for students and staff that is free from hazing. Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational goals of the district and are prohibited at all times.
Hazing is defined as any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental health, physical health, or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or membership in or affiliation with any school organization.
Endangering one’s physical health includes, but is not limited to, any act of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, alcoholic beverage, drug or controlled substances, or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual.
Endangering one’s mental health includes any activity that would subject an individual to mental stress, such as prolonged sleep deprivation, forced prolonged exclusion from social contact, forced conduct, forced conduct which could result in embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.
Any hazing activity, whether by an individual or a group, shall be presumed to be a forced activity, even if a student willingly participates.
The school does not condone any form of initiation or harassment, known as hazing, as part of any school-sponsored student activity. No student, coach, sponsor, volunteer or district employee shall plan, direct, encourage, assist, condone, tolerate or engage in any hazing activity.
Students who have been subjected to hazing are to promptly report such incidents to an administrator, coach, sponsor, or supervisor.
The administration will investigate all complaints of hazing and will administer appropriate discipline when violations occur. The consequences include an out-of-order, detention and/or suspension, possible recommendation for expulsion, and/or possible criminal prosecution.