Non- Hazing Policy
Winthrop University does not condoned and never has condoned or supported the practice of hazing. Hazing is contrary to the principles upon which the University community is built. Winthrop, therefore, asserts its position to define and prohibit hazing as a requirement for admission or acceptance into any (Inter)national Fraternity or Sorority. The following information has been organized through the efforts of the College Panhellenic Council, Inter-Fraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Office of Greek Life in the Department of Student Affairs. This information is designed to assist chapters and their associates/new members in understanding University and state positions on hazing. In no way should this guideline be considered all-inclusive in definition and content as to what constitutes hazing. It is educational in purpose and serves as an outline of practices that may be considered hazing and counter-productive to the missions, principles, and purposes of fraternities and sororities and the University itself.

STATEMENT OF POSITION
Winthrop University recognizes that fraternities and sororities are an integral part of campus life. They provide leadership opportunities, social and academic support, scholarship, friendship and community service. The University has an obligation to protect the environment within which fraternities and sororities operate. All students are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and respect the rights of fellow citizens. Any departure from these standards may result in disciplinary action.

DEFINITIONS

STATE
The South Carolina legislature passed the following act regarding hazing and aggravated hazing under South Carolina Criminal Code  - §§ 16-3-510 to 16-3-540 and 59-101-200

Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses

CHAPTER 3.

OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON

ARTICLE 6.

HAZING

SECTION 16-3-510. Hazing unlawful; definitions.

It is unlawful for a person to intentionally or recklessly engage in acts which have a foreseeable potential for causing physical harm to a person for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with a chartered or nonchartered student, fraternal, or sororal organization. Fraternity, sorority, or other organization for purposes of this section means those chartered and nonchartered fraternities, sororities, or other organizations operating in connection with a school, college, or university. This section does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, or military training whether state, federal, or educational.

SECTION 16-3-520. Unlawful to assist in or fail to report hazing.

It is unlawful for any person to knowingly permit or assist any person in committing acts made unlawful by Section 16-3-510 or to fail to report promptly any information within his knowledge of acts made unlawful by Section 16-3-510 to the chief executive officer of the appropriate school, college, or university.

SECTION 16-3-530. Penalties.

Any person who violates the provisions of Sections 16-3-510 or 16-3-520 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed twelve months, or both.

SECTION 16-3-540. Consent not a defense.

The implied or express consent of a person to acts which violate Section 16-3-510 does not constitute a defense to violations of Sections 16-3-510 or 16-3-520.

 Title 59 - Education

CHAPTER 101.

COLLEGES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING GENERALLY

 SECTION 59-101-200. Hazing prohibited; penalties.

(A) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Student" means a person enrolled in a state university, college, or other public institution of higher learning.

(2) "Superior student" means a student who has attended a state university, college, or other public institution of higher learning longer than another student or who has an official position giving authority over another student.

(3) "Subordinate student" means a person who attends a state university, college, or other public institution of higher learning who is not defined as a "superior student" in subitem (2).

(4) "Hazing" means the wrongful striking, laying open hand upon, threatening with violence, or offering to do bodily harm by a superior student to a subordinate student with intent to punish or injure the subordinate student, or other unauthorized treatment by the superior student of a subordinate student of a tyrannical, abusive, shameful, insulting, or humiliating nature.

(B) Hazing at all state supported universities, colleges, and public institutions of higher learning is prohibited. When an investigation has disclosed substantial evidence that a student has committed an act or acts of hazing, the student may be dismissed, expelled, suspended, or punished as the president considers appropriate.

(C) The provisions of this section are in addition to the provisions of Article 6, Chapter 3 of Title 16.

(D) The provisions of Section 30-4-40(a)(2) and 30-4-70(a)(1) continue to apply to hazing incidents.

Winthrop University
Winthrop University defines hazing as any action taken or situation created, intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.  Such activities and situations include paddling in any form, creation of excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips, or any other such activities carried on in our outside of the confines of the house; wearing publicly apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games or activities; late work sessions which interfere with scholastic activities, and any other activities which are not consistent with the regulations and policies of Winthrop University. 

A person(s) or organization(s) may be charged with hazing under the University's standards of conduct according to Standards A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, M, O, W, Y, and BB of the Winthrop University Student Conduct Code. Sanctions to persons found guilty of hazing range up to and include expulsion. Sanctions for organizations found guilty of hazing range up to and include permanent loss of recognition and possible criminal charges against the individual(s). Charges of hazing are referred to and investigated by the Department of Community Development.

Click on the link to view Winthrop University's STUDENT CONDUCT CODE (PDF).  

EXAMPLES OF HAZING
Depending upon circumstances, the following activities have, at one time or another, been construed by the courts and/or institutions of higher education as hazing. Such activities are often required or implied as conditions of inclusion or exclusion from a group, formal or informal. Hazing, therefore, my be perpetuated by individual(s) against individual(s), individual(s) against group, group against individual(s) or group against group.

1. "PT" (Physical Training): requiring calisthenics such as sit-ups, running or any form of physically abusive or excessive exercise; any physical action or restraint that may inflict harm or pain on an individual(s) or place them in a position or situation of possible harm or threat.

2. Forcing, requiring, recommending and/or coercing consumption of alcoholic beverages or any other kind of drug; requiring ingestion of an undesirable or unwanted substance (food, drink, concoction).

3. Harassment, whether verbal, mental or physical of individual(s) or group(s).

4. Scavenger hunts that require or result in theft; forced or coerced road trips and/or kidnapping.

5. Endorsing or conducting pranks such as borrowing or stealing items, destruction of property or objects, pulling false fire alarms, or any other activity in violation of the law.

6. Personal servitude (doing chores or errands for the group(s) or individual members).

7. Sleep interruption or deprivation; conducting activities that do not allow adequate time to study.

8. Any required or recommended activity taking place between midnight and 7 a.m. during the weekday (1 a.m. on weekends), or series of activities that do not allow for 8 hours of sleep per night.

9. Morally degrading, humiliating or embarrassing games or activities.

10. Requiring or recommending the wearing of apparel or hairstyles that are conspicuous and or/ normally in bad taste. This includes unusual clothing styles, repetitious wearing of uniforms or repetitious "dressing up" (coat and tie, dresses, etc.) Clothing that refers directly to the wearer as "pledge" or other terms is not acceptable.

11. Line-ups or any interrogation for information about the history, purpose or direction of the organization that is not consistent with legitimate testing

12. Requiring or recommending the carrying of unusual items (rocks, plants, pumpkins, pillows, etc.)

13. Forced isolation from other members, friends or the rest of the campus. This includes any prohibition on speaking or social interaction, including public marching or walking in lines or "on line."

14. Deception and/or threats contrived to convince the pledge he/she will not be able to join the organization or that purposely inflicts mental stress by not revealing the requirements or basic timetable for joining.

NOTE: This list in no way includes all activities or actions that could be considered hazing.

HOW TO KNOW
How do you know if you are hazing or being hazed? Answer the following questions to find out:

1. Would you feel comfortable enough to show or perform the activity in front of key members of the administration, your parents or your adviser?

2. Would you show pictures of the event to your family?

3. Would you print it in University recruitment publications as a selling point?

If you answered any of these questions with a "no" you are most likely involved in hazing.

Hazing encompasses any action or activity that does not contribute to the positive development of a person; that inflicts or intends to cause mental or bodily harm or anxieties; or that may demean or disgrace any person.

It is not necessary to participate directly in a hazing activity to hold some level of accountability and/or liability. Knowledge of such activity can indicate a level of responsibility. Also a person's willingness to be hazed does not excuse the activity from being considered hazing, from charges being filed or possible sanctions from being imposed.

If you are being hazed or know someone in your fraternity or sorority chapter who is hazing or being hazed, COME FORWARD AND REPORT IT to the Office of Greek Life in 218 Dinkins Student Center, 803.323.2248.