At Valdosta State University, we are committed to providing a safe educational environment for our students and student organizations. As outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, hazing is a violation of state law and is strictly prohibited by Valdosta State University both on and off-campus. Violation of this policy may result in both disciplinary action and criminal charges.

In compliance with the Georgia SB 85 "Max Gruver Act", beginning July 1, 2021, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act signed into law on December 23, 2024, Valdosta State University will publicly disclose administrative adjudication of hazing or hazing-related convictions. The laws require that institutions establish policies to facilitate the:
(1) Reporting, investigation, provision of due process, and administrative adjudication of alleged incidents of hazing as related to students and student organizations; and
(2) Public disclosure of administrative adjudications of hazing or hazing-related convictions within 15 calendar days of final adjudication or public notice of criminal conviction and remain posted for a period of no less than five years.

Below are the terms and definitions for 'hazing' and 'student organization' as outlined in the Max Gruver Act and/or the Stop Campus Hazing Act as well as the description of the specific hazing-related findings, sanctions, adjudications, and convictions for any person or school organization. Public disclosure shall not include the personal identifying information of any individual student and shall be subject to the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

“The term ‘hazing’, for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents under paragraph (1)(F)(iv) [of the Stop Campus Hazing Act], means 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--
    1. whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone's body, or similar activity;
    2. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
    3. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
    4. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; 
    5. any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
    6. any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
    7. 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."

School/student organization means an organization (such as a club, society, association, corporation, order, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, student government, or group living together) in which two or more of the members are enrolled students or alumni, including local affiliate organizations, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

School/student organizations that are referred to the conduct process will be represented by the president, or their designee, of that organization.

Adjudication